5 Ways to Wellbeing October Action Calendar for Mental Health Month
Are you doing the 5 for Mental Health Month?
5 Ways to Wellbeing are five simple ways that can lead to improved mental wellbeing!
In the month of October, Bendigo Community Health Services have developed an action calendar to help you do the 5.
We encourage you to download or print the calendar and follow along with us on social media.
To access our calendar and see what’s going on around Bendigo during National Mental Health Month click the ‘read more’ button below.
We stand with our Melbourne colleagues, all healthcare workers and Victoria Police
Bendigo Community Health Services CEO sends support to all staff working tirelessly to provide healthcare to people across Melbourne who have been subjected to violent abuse from protesters this week …
“We are so aware of the enormous effort that our staff and others in regional Victoria have given to vaccinate, educate and provide services to our communities.
“We have been discussing people that are hesitant about accessing vaccination, and how it is important to provide information in calm and caring settings.
“However, such mindless violent harassment of staff and clients must be called out and condemned by all of us.
“Nicole and her team at Cohealth have been selfless in their efforts to provide outreach services to some of the most vulnerable people and deserve our respect and admiration.
“BCHS stands together to support all Victorian health workers and the Victoria Police members that are trying to keep us safe.
“We urge the Victorian community to give their fullest support and compassion to all health workers at this time.
“I will wear a Blue Ribbon to symbolise support to our frontline health and community police.”
Gerard Jose
CEO, Bendigo Community Health Services
Last updated: September 24, 2021
BCHS sites closed on Friday for AFL Grand Final public holiday
All Bendigo Community Health Services sites will be closed on Friday, September 24, for the Victorian public holiday.
If you have an emergency ring 000 immediately.
If you need non-emergency, after-hours medical advice please try Nurse On Call 1300 606 024 or healthdirect GP Helpline on 1800 022 222.
If you are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine and wish to make an appointment at our COVID-19 clinic click here to see the next available times on our online booking system.
Please have a happy and safe long weekend from all of us at BCHS.
VALE Kim Sykes – truly missed, never forgotten
Our Board of Directors, management and staff have been deeply saddened by the passing of former CEO Kim Sykes.
Caring.
Loyal.
Passionate about community health and helping those most in need.
So proud of BCHS and the staff who represented its values.
Kim singled out ‘the staff’ as her proudest moment on the final day as CEO: “We have such a dedicated team at Bendigo Community Health Services who are passionate about supporting the people they work with and making their lives better. Every day brings a new highlight for me in what the staff are achieving to make both BCHS and their community better. It’s been a privilege for me to be part of their work and the achievements made through their expertise and dedication. They are the strength of BCHS.”
Our staff will never forget Kim’s love of celebrating a milestone and unashamed passion for Christmas which saw sites and meetings take on a distinct festive flavour every December.
In eight and a half years as our CEO Kim worked tirelessly to improve health services for Greater Bendigo and beyond.
Kim made many friends along the way both in the health sector and general community.
Kim enjoyed a diverse career in health and human services through the public, private and not for profit sectors with roles in service provision, state-wide policy development, governance and executive leadership.
Our thoughts are with Kim’s children Aaron and Jess, family and friends.
Aaron and Jess provided the following message to BCHS and community.
Bendigo doctor Sarah Lim recognised for outstanding performance in the area of women’s health
It’s just wonderful when our doctors get recognised for their fantastic work in caring for the Bendigo community.
A big congratulations to Doctor Sarah Lim on winning the Murray City Country Coast GP Training 2021 Registrar Extension Award for an outstanding level of performance.
Dr Sarah is at the forefront of our women’s health programs working in the Women’s Health Clinic and Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub at our Central site.
“I have been very privileged to work in this clinic alongside an amazing team of nurses and staff to provide sexual and reproductive health care to our community,” Dr Sarah said.
“We want to congratulate Sarah on this exciting award and know it’s well deserved as Sarah provides exceptional care for our consumers at BCHS and is constantly trying to increase her knowledge and skills,” said Senior Leader Medical Practice Karli Russell.
A big congratulations from all of us at BCHS Dr Sarah. We are very proud of you.
Last updated: September 2021
Bendigo foster carers needed for children desperately seeking somehwere to call home
We are excited to work with Anglicare Victoria to raise vital community awareness about the urgent need for foster carers in Bendigo.
Sadly there are too many local children in desperate need of foster care so please make the call if you are interested!
It’s Foster Care Week so we want to recognise and thank all the carers out there looking after children for respite or long-term.
What a wonderful role you are playing in our community.
And a big shout out to Anglicare for making this happen.
To learn more about foster caring in Bendigo click here
To hear from a foster carer about the rewards of the role click here
Last updated: September 2021
Women’s health stories told in new documentary series about coping through a COVID-19 pandemic
Have you seen this wonderful five-part documentary series featuring seven women telling their stories about living life through the COVID-19 pandemic?
It’s part of our 5 Ways to Wellbeing project with Women’s Health Loddon Mallee and Northern District Community Health that engaged with women across the Loddon Mallee to learn more about the things they have done to cope.
Well worth a watch – some great stories.
Thank you to everyone involved!
To watch this five-part documentary series click here
If you want to read the full report from the project click here
Bendigo Women’s Health Week: GPs and nurses discuss the most common issues they see
It’s Women’s Health Week.
Our wonderful staff are passionate about caring for women of all ages through the Women’s Health Clinic and Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub.
From contraception, STI testing and endometriosis to unplanned pregnancy, medical termination, miscarriage and menopause our staff provide guidance and support through what can be the most stressful of times in life.
So, what are the most health questions our staff get? Our nurses and doctors sat down to talk about the issues they see the most and others that need community awareness. To watch the panel discussion click on the ‘read more’ button below.
We share this panel discussion in Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week to raise awareness in the community about these health issues and encourage women to reach out for support.
Asking for help is such an important first step.
If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment at our Women’s Health Clinic or Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub call 5406 1200 or visit our website at www.bchs.com.au to learn more.
Bendigo day care: Mum Melanie Brennan tells of Family Day Care experience
It’s Early Childhood Educator’s Day.
A time to say thank you to all those educators out there who open up their homes to care for children.
Our Family Day Care team is lucky to have a team of wonderful educators across the City of Greater Bendigo and Loddon Shire Council areas.
To celebrate the day we’ve asked one of our mums Melanie Brennan to share her thoughts on using the service.
Melanie’s children Mia and Indi go to our educator Caitlyn Mactier for care …
Can you tell us why you chose Bendigo Family Day Care?
I grew up going to family day care, which I hold fond memories of and have maintained lifelong friendships from even a young age. I wanted my children to have the same opportunity to be cared for in a home-like environment, with small group sizes and the chance to establish life long friendships and more tailored and personalised care.
What have been your favourite experiences with Caitlyn’s Family Day Care service?
Bendigo day care educator: Meet Caitlyn Mactier from our Family Day Care team
It’s Early Childhood Educator’s Day.
A time to say thank you to all those educators out there who open up their homes to care for children.
Our Family Day Care team is lucky to have a team of wonderful educators across the City of Greater Bendigo and Loddon Shire Council areas.
To celebrate the day we’ve asked our childcare educator Caitlyn Mactier to share her thoughts on the experience …
Can you tell us why you chose to become a family day care educator?
After having our own children it was important to our family that I was able to be at home with them as much as possible throughout their early childhood years. I was however also keen to return to work in some capacity in order to maintain and continue growing my skills as an Early Childhood Educator. Becoming a family day care educator was perfect as it allowed me to do both. I have always been a strong believer in the positive impacts a calm, nurturing, child-centred environment can have on a child’s development, particularly in those early years, so having the skills and means to be able to offer this as a care option to other parents also appealed to me greatly.
What have been your favourite experiences since becoming an educator with Bendigo Family Day Care?
