Ballarat Community Health

14/04/2026

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞.

In 2024 – 2025, 678 children and young people in the Central Highlands reached out to homelessness services on their own - often due to domestic and family violence, housing crisis, or family breakdown.

At Ballarat Community Health, we are committed to supporting young people through challenging times, with services designed to feel safe, welcoming and accessible.

If you or someone you know may need support, please visit:
https://bchc.org.au/service/youth-housing/

Sources: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2025), Specialist Homelessness Services Annual Report 2024–25. DFFH-CH LASN data (Q4 2025)

12/04/2026

Ballarat Community Health offers accessible STI checks at multiple Ballarat locations 5 days a week.

If it’s been a while, you’re sexually active, or something feels off, it’s worth getting checked – for you and your partner.

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬:
✔ Confidential care
✔ Simple, quick appointments
✔ A safe, judgement-free space

Don’t put off your concerns - your health matters.

Book online via HotDoc: https://www.hotdoc.com.au/search?in=ballarat-central-VIC-3350&query=ballarat%20community%20health
Or call us on 03 5338 4541 to schedule an appointment today.

Pictured: Bernie - Sexual & Reproductive Health Nurse

07/04/2026

As a member of the Central Highlands Homelessness Alliance, Ballarat Community Health are proud to be supporting the 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 ‘𝐏𝐚𝐲 𝐈𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝’ event.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬:
𝟏. Between April 13th - 17th of April visit the following cafes:





𝟐. Buy a meal for yourself

𝟑. ‘Pay It Forward’ by purchasing an extra menu item or donate any amount you like!

𝟒. All ‘Pay It Forward’ meals will go to local young people in need.

Across the Central Highlands, our Alliance have identified an alarming increase in the number of young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness seeking food assistance.

Whilst there are complex systemic issues experienced by young people who are rough sleeping, it is felt that improving access to a nutritious meal is something that can be done now and with immediate impact.

02/04/2026

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐧 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬
Little Food Explorers aims to inspire a love of fruit and vegetables through fun, hands-on learning! Enjoy special storytime and sensory activities that support healthy eating for children pre-school children aged 3–5.

Workshop details:
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Monday 13 April, 2026
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 10:30am – 12:30pm
𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Ballarat Library
𝐓𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭: https://events.humanitix.com/little-food-explorers-autumn-school-holiday-program-2026-ballarat-library

𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Wednesday 15th April 2026
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 10:30am – 12:30pm
𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Sebastopol Library
𝐓𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭: https://events.humanitix.com/little-food-explorers-autumn-school-holiday-program-2026-sebastopol-library

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫!

01/04/2026

Today is World Autism Awareness Day.

To acknowledge the day, we’re sharing a lived experience conversation between a parent/carer and peer worker from our Family and Friends Reference Group.

This piece offers a real insight into what it can look like to support a young person with autism. It highlights the moments that don’t always get seen… navigating communication, managing overwhelm, supporting interests, and advocating for inclusion in everyday settings.

It also reminds us of something important… Autism isn’t always visible, and no two experiences are the same.

By sharing lived experience, we hope to build understanding, challenge assumptions, and support stronger connections between families, carers, practitioners, and the broader community.

Take a moment to read, reflect, and consider what inclusion looks like in your world.

For a copy of this resource or to learn more about the Family and Friends Reference group, including joining, please email: info@headspaceballarat.org.au

01/04/2026

𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐂𝐇 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬:
• Good Friday – 3rd April 2026
• Easter Monday – 6th April 2026

Urgent Care & After-Hours Services:
• 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭 𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜 (𝐔𝐂𝐂): Open daily 9am - 11pm. Level 1, 1010 Sturt St, Ballarat Central.
• 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬: Call 000 or go to your local Emergency Department - Grampians Health Ballarat or St John of God Hospital.

Additional Support Services:
• 𝐀𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐡𝐨𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐬: 24-hour support service. Call 1800 888 236 or www.directline.org.au
• 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: Call 131 114 or Text 0477 131 114

All sites will reopen Tuesday 7th April 2026.

30/03/2026

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞?

We’ve expanded our Sexual and Reproductive Health services - with a full team of practitioners now available every Friday at our Lucas site.
More availability means more choice, shorter wait times, and care when it suits you. Whether it’s contraception, STI testing, general sexual or reproductive health support - we’re here for you.

Book online via HotDoc: https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/lucas-VIC-3350/ballarat-community-health-doctors-clinics-sexual-health-clinic/doctors
Or call us on 03 5338 4541 to schedule an appointment today.

Pictured: Dr. Dilhani - Sexual & Reproductive Health Doctor

26/03/2026

𝐄𝐎𝐈𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧 – 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐲𝐜𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐂𝐨‑𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲!

Cyclink are looking for your people with lived experience to join the Cyclink Lived Experience Advisory Group. The goal is to make cycling fun, flexible, and accessible for everyone - no matter what kind of bike you use or where you live.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 – your voice will help shape the research project to create a community cycling program for young people with a disability.

𝐓𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭: https://bchc.org.au/news/accessible-cycling-program/

Expressions of interest close April 30th, 2026.

CycLink is ethics approved and Co-designed by The University of Melbourne, La Trobe University and Australian Catholic University (ACU).

We invite you to take part in the CycLink Co‑Design Study We invite you to take part in the CycLink Co‑Design Study: From Principles to Program. This project brings together young people with disability, their families, and community partners to help design a new, inclusive cycling program. What...

24/03/2026

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 🍎

As we age, our nutrition needs change - but knowing what to eat and why isn’t always straightforward.

B*H is hosting a free session designed to help older adults feel more confident about their food choices, with a focus on simple, practical strategies that support everyday health and wellbeing.

Led by our Dietitian, Elaine, this session will explore how nutrition can support things like energy levels, strength, and overall wellbeing - along with tips for maintaining good nutrition even when appetite is low.

This is a great opportunity for people aged 55+ to learn something new, ask questions, and walk away with practical ideas they can use straight away.

𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Thursday 23 April 2026
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 10.00am – 11.30am
𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Vickers Street Community Hub, Sebastopol

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥

This initiative is in collaboration with the City of Ballarat and Ballarat Community Health.

Nutrition needs change over time. Do you want to learn more about what to eat as we age?

23/03/2026

Just like Tom, you can take charge of your health!

The Life! program has already empowered over 75,000 Victorians to improve their health and wellbeing.

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞! 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨:
• Eat healthier
• Be more active
• Improve your wellbeing - better sleep and less stress
• Manage everyday challenges

Before the group begins, you’ll have a one-on-one session with Felicity, our dietitian and program facilitator. Together, you’ll explore your risk factors for diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and set personalised health goals.

The program includes 4 group sessions over 8 weeks, with additional sessions at 6 and 12 months - including a session led by an Exercise Physiologist.

📍 Our next group intake begins Friday 8 May at our Sebastopol site.

𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐-𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞:
https://lifeprogram.org.au/health-check/

𝐓𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐦’𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭:
https://lifeprogram.org.au/health-hub/becoming-an-advocate-toms-story/

23/03/2026

Harmony Fest continues this week - get involved and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our community 🧡

Harmony Fest still has more events🧡😁