b'Wellbeing in the Wimmera Graduates give backCentrally located in Horsham, UnitingsThe Gippsland Youth Residential Rehabilitation Wimmera Wellbeing Centre offers support andProgram (GYRRP) is a specialist facility located space for people of all ages to find respite andin Traralgon, in the Latrobe Valley. Young people connection. Within the centre there are variousaged 16 to 21 years who are experiencing multi-purpose areas, including group rooms withaddiction can stay in the 20-bed facility to casual seating options, formal training areas,undertake withdrawal, and then take part incommercial kitchen and laundry facilities, cozya 12-week rehabilitation program. counselling and therapeutic spaces, a privateThe home-like environment provides 24-hour parents room, outdoor green spaces, creativecare, and support to reintegrate back into studios for mess and fun, and a computer labtheir lives and communities, with family and for life skills and entertainment. Since openingsignificant people invited to be involved in the in early 2020, the centre has grown a connectedyoung persons journey. Support also includes community and an active and supportiveunderstanding educational skills and exploring Facebook group of 560 members. what vocational training may be available. 20 years of welcomingSince opening in April 2022, graduates who have completed the program have returned people seeking safetyto support and mentor other participants in Australia going through rehabilitation, drawing on their Since opening in Brunswick 20 years ago, theunderstanding of this shared experience. Gippslands PrideAsylum Seeker Welcome Centre (ASWC) hasBreezeWay serves welcomed and supported people seeking a safer life in Australia. While waiting for decisionsover 500,000 meals A sense of belonging is important for everyone. on their applications to be recognised asCelebrating its 25th anniversary this year, refugees, many asylum seekers are isolated inBreezeWay in Ballarat has served over 500,000However, for some people seeking out inclusive,Weve had to adapt and be bold and the community with very little or no form ofmeals since opening, powered by the energy andsafe and comfortable spaces to connect withinimaginative. Weve made a few mistakesassistance, and with no rights or entitlements.care of more than 300 dedicated volunteers.a community can be challenging, especially inbut by walking alongside and listening,The primary aim of the ASWC is to create anBreezeWay serves up a free two-course cookedrural areas.trust has blossomed.opportunity for such people to make decisionslunch every day of the year to people needingWhen introduced to the Gippsland PrideIn May this year, with Unitings support, GPI about their own lives, with a strong emphasis a nutritious meal, a good chat, and place toInitiative (GPI), Unitings carer services heardlaunched their Rainbow Brick Road Report, on mutual support and learning, while providing feel they belong. There is also a takeawayabout the need for LGBTIQA+ connection,a research paper which details the unique a safe place of welcome. This comes in the option provided for dinner, with a small teamcelebration and capacity building in thelived experiences of LGBTIQA+ people in the form of intensive case work support, a basicof staff overseeing the food production. PeopleGippsland area.Gippsland community. The report has been living allowance, material aid, assistance withaccessing the service say its a welcoming andshared with local government, community utilities, access to limited housing, specificreliable place to have a healthy meal, find outThe team listened and explored what respitegroups, industry and the health and education support groups, advocacy as well as support about other services that may be available, and might look like for LGBTIQA+ people and thesectors. Many have embraced the call to action for employment where eligible.to make new friends. The conversations hadimportance of community spaces for peopleto improve inclusion and access for LGBTIQA+ One example is Aylin * , who reached out to theacross the table can be life-changing. to come together, share their experiences andpeople across Gippsland. ASWC for support and social connection. Beingknow allies are around if needed. Together,This report is the first of its kind, says able to access food is a big help. And the (ASWC)More about community meals ideas flowed for events that would allowExecutive Officer for Gippsland, Di.have given me the chance to access food that wecommunity to be visible and be themselves. like to eat, which is really nice, she said. The first thing we did was partner withIt tells us about the LGBTIQA+ communitys * This is a true story about a real person. Some details suchGippsland Pride Initiative to host a rainbowhopes, dreams, wishes and desires, especially as names have been changed to respect the wishes of the family Christmas lunch, says Carer Supportfor services like ours.person featured.Coordinator, Aimi. Weve challenged ourselves to act. And it is The event was a success, bringing togetheralso great to see how others in the community Find out more dozens of people. have come on board.Since then, Uniting and GPI have partnered toWhat we have achieved by partnering with host 16 LGBTIQA+ community events includingGippsland Pride Initiative has broken the breakfasts, BBQs, an inclusive swim day, abarrier between conversation to participation. Its a very visible demonstration of the values Pride Gala and more. of Uniting. I cant explain how passionate No event has been the same, says Aimi. and proud I am of this partnership and community, says Di.22 Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing Annual Report'