Ballarat Community Health

06/08/2025

𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐑 - 𝐕𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐝
𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 | 𝟕:𝟎𝟎𝐩𝐦 – 𝟖:𝟎𝟎𝐩𝐦
📍 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐙𝐨𝐨𝐦

Worried about va**ng? You're not alone.
Parents and carers play a powerful role in helping young people make safe and informed choices.

Join us for a free, one-hour webinar designed to equip you with the tools and confidence to talk to your teen about va**ng.

• Get the facts
• Learn how to start the conversation
• Ask questions in a safe, supportive space

𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐑 - 𝐕𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐝: https://www.blurredminds.com.au/webinar-parents-ballarat/

05/08/2025

📢 Homelessness Week 2025 | Origami Houses on Sturt

Today, B*H staff joined community members, MPs and local leaders in Ballarat to raise awareness of the urgent need for more social housing.

Over 60,000 origami houses were displayed across Victoria – each one representing a home needed right now.

Thank you to Labor MP Julianna Addison and Cr Jay Morrison for showing strong support, and to all B*H staff who attended or contributed to the display. These efforts are possible due to the strong partnership with the Central Highlands Homelessness Alliance.

Let’s keep the conversation going. Everyone deserves a safe place to call home.
*H

City of Ballarat Uniting Ballarat Juliana Addison MP Berry Street Cafs Grampians Community Health The Salvation Army Australia WRISC Family Violence Support Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative

04/08/2025

🦷 Our B*H Health Promoters deliver the Smiles 4 Miles oral health program to over 40 Kindergartens and Long Day Care Centres across the Ballarat region - that’s more than 2,500 preschoolers and their families learning how to keep little smiles healthy!

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 🎉
Date: Wednesday 6th of August 2025
Time: 10:30am
Location: Parent Place - 39 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central

Activities will include:
• Storytime
• Teeth brushing demonstration with Al-E-Gator
• Toothbrush/toothpaste giveaways 🪥
• Dental puppets: Al-E-Gator, Lil Magi Dragon & Chomper
• Q&A time with parents and carers about dental care

This event has been organised in partnership with Ballarat Community Health and City of Ballarat

📸 Photo shared with consent

30/07/2025

We are saddened to report that one of our B*H fleet vehicles was targeted in an act of theft yesterday. The car was found on-site, jacked up with two wheels missing. This vehicle was scheduled to transport one of our B*H nurses to an outreach clinic - a service that provides vital care to some of our most vulnerable community members who normally cannot access services.

This senseless act has not only damaged a key community health resource, but directly disrupted care to those who rely on our outreach services. We have 24/7 on-site surveillance in place and all key footage has been provided to the authorities.

While we will do everything we can to minimise the impact this will have on our outreach services, this incident highlights the devastating ripple effect such crimes can have on healthcare accessibility and community wellbeing.

We hope that by sharing this incident with our community, we can raise awareness about the impact such actions can have – not just to property, but to the people and services that support our local community.

27/07/2025

Today is World Hepatitis Day! 📣 Did you know people wishing to access testing, care and treatment related to hepatitis B and hepatitis C are able to self-refer to expert nurses at Ballarat Community Health? Partnering with the liver clinic at Grampians Health, Ballarat Community Health's Joanna Labbett and Ingrid Taylor are highly experienced regional nurses able to help locals facilitate access to necessary treatments and investigations.

➡ Hepatitis B is a blood-borne virus which is common among some people who are born overseas. Untreated, chronic hepatitis B can lead to serious liver disease and/or liver cancer in one in four people. The friendly Jo from Ballarat Community Health can support you with accessing care and treatment for hepatitis B. “You don’t need to navigate the system by yourself. We can help organise the testing, the follow-up and the treatment to make it easier for you” says Jo (Nurse Practitioner, Sexual and Reproductive Health at Ballarat Community Health).

➡ Hepatitis C is a bloodborne virus that causes liver inflammation, increasing the risk of liver failure and liver cancer if untreated. Fortunately, with new treatments now available, over 95% of people with Hepatitis C can be cured. The Grampians region's Integrated Hepatitis C Nurse, Ingrid, reminds locals that “we are now offering hepatitis C point of care testing across the wider Grampians region, meaning the team can test for hepatitis C through a finger prick and you can have results on the same day!” Clinics for Hepatitis C testing and treatment take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Complete the form to self-refer and have a chat with Ingrid.

📄 Self-refer to access free and confidential testing and treatment by filling out the form on the Ballarat Community Health website: https://bchc.org.au/service/hepatitis-c-education/

23/07/2025

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬!

We’re excited to announce our 2025 Ballarat Mental Health Collective Art Exhibition: 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐦: 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬, 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭.

This year’s theme is open to your unique and creative interpretation. We’re inviting artists of all ages and abilities to contribute a small-format 2D artwork (15x20cm) to help celebrate Mental Health Month 2025.

Participation in this exhibition is completely free. The artwork must fit within the frame, and it will be included in an exhibition at the Ballarat ArtBox October 1 - October 31, 2025.

To participate in the exhibition and pick up your frame, please complete the registration form: https://forms.office.com/r/fCMWDZnfxg

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟐𝐭𝐡, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

21/07/2025

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚 offers a gentle, evidence-based approach to help children and adults’ express emotions, process experiences, and build confidence - all in a safe, supportive environment using toys, art, and creative play.

• Located at our Cooinda site
• This is non-funded. Clients will need to use their own funding (e.g. NDIS) or pay privately.

𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐬!
Find out more or make an enquiry: https://bchc.org.au/service/play-therapy/

18/07/2025

Hepatitis C is a common, treatable virus that affects the liver. Without treatment, it can lead to serious health issues. The good news? It’s curable for over 95% of people.

At Ballarat Community Health, our Integrated Hepatitis C Nurse, Ingrid, is here to support you every step of the way - from testing through to treatment.

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐂 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜 offers a safe and confidential space for testing, support and guidance – all within the one appointment! Results are available within 60 minutes.

𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: Thursday 24 July 2025
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 9:00am - 4:00pm
𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Ballarat Community Health – 12 Lilburne Street, Lucas

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 (𝟎𝟑) 𝟓𝟑𝟑𝟖 𝟒𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.

Learn more about our Hepatitis C services: https://bchc.org.au/service/hepatitis-c-education/

ℹ️ Source: LiverWELL

17/07/2025

🎉 We’re a Finalist! 🎉

Ballarat Community Health is incredibly proud to be named a finalist in the Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards, under the AssistU Care and Support Services Accessibility & Inclusion Award category.

This recognition reflects our deep and ongoing commitment to ensuring that everyone in our community – particularly those who face barriers due to disability, mental health, cultural background, or social disadvantage – can access the health and wellbeing services they need in a way that is inclusive, welcoming and respectful.

At B*H, we believe that accessible, person-centred care is not just important – it's essential. We work every day to remove barriers, embrace diversity, and support people to live well in their own communities.

A huge thank you to Commerce Ballarat and the award sponsors for shining a light on inclusion and accessibility across the region. And congratulations to all fellow finalists – we’re proud to stand alongside such passionate and committed organisations.

14/07/2025

💜 Victorian women and gender-diverse people deserve equitable, accessible, and empowering health care.
Yet, sexual and reproductive health services remain difficult to access for many. That’s why Community Health First partners have been working since 2017 with the Victorian Government to ensure care reaches those who need it most – helping establish and operate 13 of Victoria’s 20 sexual and reproductive health hubs.

Providing affordable, confidential sexual and reproductive healthcare in a safe and welcoming space, the hubs offer:
✅ Contraception choices
✅ Cervical screening
✅ Pregnancy support and care
✅ Period and menstrual health
✅ Termination services including medical abortion
✅ Affordable & accessible care, with many services bulk-billed through Medicare

With long-standing community partnerships and strong ties to local Women’s Health Services, community health organisations are well placed to deliver gender-sensitive, culturally appropriate care.
💜 Together, let’s keep pushing for .
📌 Learn more: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/site-5/sexual-and-reproductive-health-hubs

cohealth DPV Health Each IPC Health Ballarat Community Health Bendigo Health Gateway Health Gippsland Lakes Complete Health Latrobe Community Health Service Nexus Primary Health Primary Care Connect Sunraysia Community Health Services

10/07/2025

If you have an infant aged 5-9 months who is ready (or just started) on solids, this FREE session is for you!

Get expert advice from a dietitian and Maternal & Child Health Nurse to confidently start your baby on their food journey 🍎

The sessions will cover:
▪️ Introducing allergens safely
▪️ Managing fussy eating
▪️ Creating positive mealtime experiences
▪️ Supporting your health & wellbeing as a parent

We know starting solids can feel overwhelming - this relaxed group session is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn from qualified health professionals.

𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Lucas Community Hub
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Wednesday 30 July 2025
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
(Sessions run every second month)

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 - 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞

Free parent information sessions Starting Solids is designed for parents in the Ballarat region, facilitated by a dietitian and Maternal & Child He...