Gender Centre Services
The Gender Centre is the peak state-wide specialist multi- purpose service supporting the transgender, gender diverse and gender questioning persons at all stages of transition (pre, mid, and post transition), the service has the required specialist skills, experience and capabilities to respond to this client group providing specialist counselling, outreach, support, case management and referrals. The Gender Centre also undertakes advocacy work, resource development, stakeholder training and corporate education, and operates as a secondary needle & syringe program (NSP) outlet.
The Centre is primarily funded by Sydney Local Health District and the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, Community Services. . The Centre is also supported by The Central and Eastern Primary Health Network & Wentworth Community Housing
The Gender Centre is a community based organization governed by an elected committee of Directors who are committed to developing and providing services and activities which enhance the ability of people with gender issues to make informed choices and access their rights and entitlements.
The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) method was used to conduct the planning process. A combination of external and internal stakeholders were interviewed by an external consultant. EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS: SERVICE PROVIDERS Interviews were conducted with the following stakeholders: Stakeholders were asked to respond to a series of questions including: INTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS: GC CLIENT GROUPS The consultant met with the following client groups: The following questions guided discussion: Many of the identified strengths highlighted the GC’s, ability to provide a specialist response. This specialisation included the following: the Centre’s strong relationship with local community, passionate, friendly and skilled staff, strong advocacy skills, excellence in service provision and delivering the client centred approach into case management practice. External stakeholders identified the GC’s strong relationships with local community positions the service in a leadership role when advocating for the dignity and rights of transgender and gender diverse people. GC’s variety of programs such as, counselling, parents group, young person’s group, case management, access to information and resources supports clients with the skills and knowledge to increase their capacity for independence and self-empowerment. The young person’s group found access to the group particularly helpful in developing strong relationships and challenging social isolation. The parent’s group highlighted the staff as supportive, valued the social support aspect of the group and access to information. Parents identified the support from GC as crucial to the ongoing wellbeing of their family, particularly the mental and social wellbeing to their children. To deliver professional services that are responsive to the needs of transgender and gender diverse people.Our Strategic Planning Processes
Method used
SWOT: Emerging themes from stakeholders consultation
Our Vision Statement
Our Mission Statement
The Gender Centre provides services in the following four domains
Advacacy & Support
Education
Homelessness2018-2021 Strategic priorities
Priority 2:Strengthen GC’s Human Resource Management system
Priority3:Increase organisational capacity through public relations and partnership development
Priority 4:Monitor administrative systems and potential risks