|
The Gender Centre is committed to developing and providing services and activities which enhance the ability of
people with gender issues to make informed choices.
The Gender Centre is also committed to educating the public and providers about the needs of people with gender issues. We
offer a wide range of services to people with gender issues, their partners, families and friends in New South Wales. We also
act as an education, support, training and referral / resource Centre to other Organizations and Service Providers. We
specifically aim to provide a high quality service which acknowledges human rights and ensures respect and confidentiality.
The Gender Centre is not a medical centre and as such we do not provide medical documents and/or medical care and we cannot
make referrals to any medical services; we can, however, provide information regarding health care service providers for you to
access independently. We do not give recommendations regarding particular service providers.
Gender Centre Opening Hours
The Gender Centre is located at 7 Bent Street, Petersham. We are open weekdays from 9:00am to 4:30pm.
Services Provided
Counselling
The Gender Centre provides Counselling to residential clients, community clients, partners, family members and friends of
people with gender issues at no cost. The counselling service also provides support and education to school counsellors as well
as counsellors in rural areas.
Residential Program
Up to 11 residents (16 years of age or over), can be accommodated in three semi-supported refuge houses. Residents can stay
for up to 12 months and are supported to move towards independent living, residents are encouraged to consider a range of
options available to meet their needs.
Exit House Program
The Gender Centre provides semi-supported accommodation for 6 clients (16 years of age or over) in partnership with the
Woman's Hosing Company in self-contained units. Residents can stay for up to 12 months and are supported to move towards
independent living, residents are encouraged to consider a range of options available to meet their needs.
Case Management
Intensive Case Management is provided for those who find themselves in Gender Centre Housing as well as the Gender Centre
Exit Housing Program.
Community Case-Management
Intensive case-management is provided to all community clients accessing the Gender Centre within the boarders of New South
Wales as well as co/case-management with other service providers.
Advocacy Service
The Gender Centre provides advocacy support for transgender and gender questioning people to help facilitate effective
outcomes. The most common advocacy support provided is in dealings with the police when reporting a crime or being questioned
in relation to a criminal matter, the Department of Housing to prevent evictions, Centrelink to establish payment of correct
entitlements, Aged Care services to provide suitable supported care options and disability support programs to acquire suitable
appliances and equipment for independent living.
Training for Service Providers and Others
The Gender Centre offers training, support and workshops to employers, service providers, students and other people
interested in gender issues. Topics covered include implications for staff and clients in relation to anti-discrimination
legislation and E.E.O. issues, workplace harassment and
provision of goods and services as well as many personal aspects of the transgender process. Training is provided 2 times per
year to the Centre for Community Welfare Training Centre (C.C.W.T.).
Training and Education for clients
The Gender Centre offers training, support and workshops to residential and non-residential clients of the Gender Centre,
workshops include recreational and general interest courses, employment, work skills development training, health, nutrition,
cooking and living skills courses as well as stand alone nights when guest speakers present mini forums on current issues
relating to the lives of transgender people living in New South Wales.
Outreach
Available to clients confined in their homes and in hospital in the inner and outer city areas from Monday to Friday.
Night Outreach
Available to street based sex workers and private parlours in the inner city and surrounding areas on a Wednesday evening
from 8:00pm to midnight.
Gaol Outreach
Available to all Transgender and Gender questioning clients confined in a correctional centre within the boarders of New
South Wales (all Gender Centre staff are Authorised visitors).
Court & Cell Outreach:
Available to all Transgender and Gender questioning clients within the inner city and surrounding areas.
Resource Development
The Gender Centre Produces a range of print and online resources on
H.I.V. /
AIDS, medical and other information relevant to people
with gender issues and their service providers. Information packages (Kits) fact-sheets and other printed materials including
Polare. As part of the resources provided by the Gender Centre we have a library with an array of books and audio-visual
material on the issues pertinent to gender questioning and transgender people available for loan free of charge.
Partners Family Members and Friends
The Gender Centre provides Support, education as well as referrals to a wide range of specialist counselling, health, legal,
welfare and other community services that are available to the Transgender community.
Social and Support
The Gender Centre Provides social and support groups and outings to people with gender issues
Drug and Alcohol Service
The centre provides counselling support, education and referrals to a broad range of services.
N.S.E.P. Service
The Gender Centre runs a secondary N.E.S.P. service,
Needle Exchange, condoms and Lube
|
and we'll contact the service provider for their permission to be
placed on our referral manual.