Women’s Health Loddon Mallee is currently looking for women* aged 18+ in the Loddon Mallee Region to participate in a focus group in Castlemaine to provide feedback on their sexual and reproductive health experiences.

Popup focus groups will be held at the Castlemaine Senior Citizens Centre, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine next Tuesday 29th November at 1pm and 2pm. Participants will receive $60 for their time.

*Women’s Health Loddon Mallee uses the term ‘women’ to include cis women, trans, non-binary and gender diverse people.

What is this project about?

In 2018 Women’s Health Loddon Mallee (WHLM) developed the first regional sexual and reproductive health strategy for the Loddon Mallee. Her Health Matters: a regional approach to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in the Loddon Mallee region was informed by Victoria’s first (2017) policy statement for sexual and reproductive health and shared four priorities:

Fertility pregnancy and birth
Reproductive choices
Reproductive system health and care, and
Sexual health and wellbeing.

This project will identify, through hearing the opinions of health professionals and community members, what needs to be updated within the Her Health Matters strategy, to ensure the sexual and reproductive health needs of the Loddon Mallee region and recognized and responded to.

What will happen to information about me?

With your consent, your stories and experiences will be audio recorded for the purpose of ensuring women’s voices are represented and respected throughout the strategy renewal.

Information will be collected in ways that will reveal who you are (focus group recordings)
We will store information about you in ways that will not reveal who you are
Data will be securely shared within WHLM, and with HealthConsult, in a way that you cannot be identified, for the purpose of informing the strategy re-development
We will publish information about you (e.g. in the sexual and reproductive health strategy, internal reports, as part of the Storylines project) that does not reveal who you are.

What are the risks?

There is a risk that reflecting on sexual and reproductive health experiences may be upsetting for some. Below are links providing access to information regarding resources and support services if you need additional support.

Click on this link to access a list of domestic violence and counselling services https://whlm.org.au/16-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-2022/support-services/

1800 022 222 Call this number to speak to a registered nurse about your health concerns.

1300 224 636 Call this number to speak to a qualified mental health counsellor at Beyond Blue or click on this link https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Who can I contact if I have questions/concerns?

If you have any questions or concerns about this project please contact either Belinda Buck (Health Promotion Manager) – bbuck@whlm.org.au or Nicole Johnson (Senior Health Promotion Coordinator) – njohnson@whlm.org.au.