AFTER months of interim operations, a safe space for young LGBTIQA+ people in the region aged up to twenty-five years old is now open for referrals.<\/p>\n
QHub, a State Government-supported project in collaboration with Cafs Ballarat, Drummond Street Services, and Wellways Geelong, is now running.<\/p>\n
Jack Khouri, QHub manager of Geelong and Ballarat said the aim of the initiative is to provide a central support location for the queer community.<\/p>\n
\u201cLGBTIQA+ folk, especially young people, have a significantly higher rate of mental health challenges and suicidality,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you add in the intersectionality of regional living, that statistic goes up again. It\u2019s recognised there\u2019s been a need for a safe space in Geelong and Ballarat.<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung people just want a safe space where they can go hang out, be themselves, and be around other queer-identifying young people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s also that intergenerational side, having staff that identify as LGBTIQA+ too, and creating that full sense of safety.\u201d<\/p>\n
The program was developed with community input as a response to suicides from LGBTIQA+ young people in Geelong and Ballarat.<\/p>\n
Through QHub, participants can access social and mental health support, counselling, and wellbeing initiatives.<\/p>\n
Youth and family support, and community engagement staff are being provided by Cafs while peer support staff are being provided by Geelong\u2019s Wellways.<\/p>\n
The project\u2019s counselling services has been operating at Cafs for the past few months with referrals being sent through LGBTIQA+ associated organisations.<\/p>\n
With operations now moved to the local hub based at Ballarat\u2019s health service precinct, Mr Khouri said the project will continue to develop.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom term one next year, we\u2019ll have a calendar of events, regular drop-ins probably two or three times a week, activities coming through,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the school holidays we\u2019ll continue counselling services at the hub with drop-in options and activities available.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had positive feedback from clients and referrals are increasing all the time. In terms of youth and family, we\u2019re getting close to having a waitlist capped at no more than a month.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AFTER months of interim operations, a safe space for young LGBTIQA+ people in the region aged up to twenty-five years old is now open for referrals. QHub, a State Government-supported project in collaboration with Cafs Ballarat, Drummond Street Services, and Wellways Geelong, is now running. Jack Khouri, QHub manager of Geelong and Ballarat said the […]<\/p>\n