Impact Report
2020-2021
Click to have this report read out to you!
A Note from the CEO
A YEAR OF LOOKING OUTWARD
Over the last 12 months, there hasn’t been a week or day that we aren’t full steam ahead, well maybe one or two, but those days have been spent together celebrating all the incredible things we have achieved over the year or are about to embark on. They’re our team days, and they are cherished days that we get to spend together, and they are some of my favourites. We are now spread across five sites in Logan and the Redlands with 60 team members. The growth we are experiencing is not only exciting and scary but is an outcome of what is happening in and across our communities.
We have seen a clear correlation between COVID-19 and the increase in referrals and self-referrals during these past 12 months. So when we started to receive double the number of referrals for some of our services this year, we immediately started to work on a plan on how to keep up and completed a full-service review. The changes have been difficult but necessary, and most importantly, we hope to reduce waiting periods for those in need.
This was something that was happening across the state, which activated CFW to advocate alongside sister services and networks for an increase in core funding and COVID Enhancement funds. Six women service networks, including the Women’s Health Service Alliance, QLD Domestic Violence Support Network, QLD Sexual Assault Network, Ending Violence Against Women QLD, Combined Women’s Refuge Group and North QLD Women’s Service Network, came together to sign a letter to both State and Federal Governments calling for action. The outcome has been positive, and many of our services saw an extension of the COVID Enhancement funds for 12 months. However, further conversations and meetings are occurring as we are eager to see a sustainable investment into women services across Queensland.
Something that CFW has always done is think outside the square when it comes to delivering services with limited funds. So as part of our strategic plan this year, we wanted to extend our specialist knowledge to the corporate world and opened our training arm. You can find out more within our report or via our website. This is about a whole community approach to mental health and addressing domestic and family violence, and we couldn’t be more excited about partnering with businesses to help with creating safe and healthy workplaces for everyone.
The development of Men & Co. Services has well and truly surpassed our initial idea/goals, and we love every bit of it. I am humbled by the support and the men who have reached out needing support. This is the change we all need to be a part of. Watch this space as we grow a much-needed service for young men and men.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the CFW and MCS teams. We have been through so much in the last 12 months, not only working through a pandemic but living in one and being present for our clients to ensure they are okay. As well as working through all the changes we have had to roll out and still show up Every. Single. Day! So thank you so much for everything you do for CFW and our communities. Your dedication is inspiring!
- Stacey Ross, CEO & Changemaker
A Note from the COO
DIGGING DEEP
Every year we see the demand for our services at The Centre for Women & Co. increase, none more so than what we have seen over the past 12 months. The increase in demand and short-term funding to service the impact of COVID-19 has seen our team expand, contract and expand again. Our service has seen this significant time as an opportunity to consolidate practice, reflect on our service model and get clear on how to provide the most needed and meaningful service to the women, children and men who access our services while keeping our teams healthy, safe and functioning at their peak. Our teams have shown great resilience in the face of what can feel like constant change, and they have embraced the innovative changes to our service model. In the face of frenetic work and demand, we choose and encourage our teams to be responsive, grounded and clear around the parameters of our service while always looking up and forward to meet challenges and opportunities on the front foot.
Through the past 12 months, we have seen an increase in the complexity of risk and trauma being experienced by people accessing our services. The pandemic adds another layer of collective trauma that impacts us all in some way and has, without doubt, intensified the experiences of hardship, risk and trauma of some of our most vulnerable. It has to be said that this work is not without impact – we are human beings working with difficult and painful experiences. Our teams continue to walk alongside the women, children and men they work with and role model what courage through adversity looks like.
As an organisation, we are committed to enhancing our capability and capacity with many new and exciting projects and partnerships on the horizon. It’s important to us that we grow in a way that reflects our firm commitment to the needs of our communities, for we know our services are required now more than ever. As always, I am very proud and thankful to be part of The Centre for Women & Co. team. I’m looking forward to another year of walking alongside our teams as they provide impactful, life-changing service to our communities.
- Amy Wormwell, COO
From the Board’s Chair
OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD
This year has again seen many challenges, not just for the Centre for Women & Co. and the communities we serve, but for the whole of Australia and the rest of the world, as we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Those challenges continue to highlight existing inequalities, where impacts are disproportionately being borne by those most vulnerable.
Through the ongoing challenges and obstacles faced, I have admired the resilience of our staff, who have continued to support and deliver for women and families. As a result of COVID-19, our organisation successfully acquired additional resources to respond to our community's emerging needs. At times, this has placed pressure on our services and demonstrated that we are outgrowing some of our buildings. The care and wellbeing of our staff, our clients, and their families remained paramount throughout these events.
I am continually impressed by Stacey and our staff, who demonstrate dedication, creativity and professionalism. They are routinely thinking out of the box and growing the services provided to women, families and communities.
I am delighted we have commenced our Reconciliation journey. As a non-Indigenous agency, we support self-determination, are open to connecting and learning, and provide culturally safe and accessible services. In partnership with The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service, we have developed and are now realising our first Reconciliation Action Plan. This, along with our shared statement of commitment, ‘The Recognition, Sharing and Respect Partnership’, promises we will stand side-by-side with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, families and organisations to support the development of strong and resilient Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
The Centre for Women & Co. Board has committed to a learning program about how the organisation supports, educates and empowers women. We have reviewed and redeveloped our governance to ensure effectiveness and the highest standard of governance structures and practices.
While the challenges and uncertainties of COVID-19 remain, I am confident The Centre for Women & Co. has the right strategy, people and partnerships to manage whatever is in front of us. And I am grateful to Stacey, our staff and the Board for another wonderful year and hopeful about the opportunities ahead.
As always, we are stronger together.
- Heather Edwards, Chair
Our Values in Action
HOW WE WALK OUR TALK
INTEGRITY
We mean what we say and say what we mean – clear is kind.
We are always working on clarity in our processes and practice framework - clear is kind.
We are accountable – we are transparent about where we are at and where we are headed.
We talk to people, not about them.
We encourage best practice and good process and continue to evolve these things ALWAYS.
We encourage our teams to get comfortable with being uncomfortable – we lean into difficult conversations.
We are clear about the parameters of our service for the well-being of our clients, our teams and the community.
COMPASSION
We are curious, not critical – we seek information to understand and respond appropriately.
We are mindful of the impact of the work we do and build in processes and responses that care for and support our teams.
We give permission to grow through experience.
WE ARE ALLOWED TO MAKE MISTAKES.
We ask for help.
We don’t turn away from pain – whether it is our client’s experience or a pain point in our team.
RESPECT
We listen first and respond in a grounded way.
We give our time and encourage presence in our work.
We have clear expectations and processes.
We encourage professional responsibility in all team members.
We encourage all team members and people who utilise our services to share their views and opinions – everyone is valued.
We don’t avoid crucial conversations.
We encourage a culture where it is safe to give and receive feedback.
Core Services
EVERY DAY AT THE CENTRE FOR WOMEN & CO.
The Centre for Women & Co. offers specialist DFV and women’s wellbeing support to families across Logan and the Redlands.
Our women’s counselling service supports anyone who identifies as a woman aged 14 years and up around a diverse range of experiences, including childhood abuse, grief and loss, mental health challenges, sexual assault, domestic and family violence, relationship issues and any other experience that may impact a woman.
This service works from a trauma-informed and strengths-based framework, offering women a safe space to unpack their experiences and move towards a greater sense of wellbeing.
Generalist women’s health counselling services are available in Beenleigh and are free.
The Children’s Domestic & Family Violence Counselling provides support to children who are experiencing or may have experienced DFV, including physical, verbal, sexual, social, cultural, financial, digital or psychological abuse.
Our Assessment & Response (Crisis) Team are trained and experienced Domestic and Family Violence specialists who intimately understand the impact of living in an abusive relationship. Women and children can access the Assessment & Response (Crisis) Team over the phone or face to face. The Assessment & Response (Crisis) provide safety planning and support, referral to safe accommodation and other services if required. Our Assessment and Response Teams are located at our Logan Central and Redlands Centres.
Other services
- Court Support
- Women’s Advocacy
- SMBI services
- Yarrabilba and Flagstone Counselling Services
- Integrated Service Response Meetings Logan and Redlands
- Therapeutic Workshops
- Community Engagement & Primary Prevention
- Her Platform Social Enterprise
CENTREFORWOMEN.ORG.AU
Case Study
AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
Before you go on, consider that reading a case study may be triggering for you.
Selma (pseudonym) is a 36-year-old woman who was referred to CFW by Qld Health in 2019. There were concerns because of a high-risk DFV incident; this was the first time Qld Health had reported a high-risk DFV incident to any service.
Qld Health referred into the High Risk Team (HRT) with c.onsent. While Selma was with the HRT, the caseworker who supported Selma completed a VAQ application that enabled Selma to access security upgrades. At this time, Selma chose to remain in the relationship however was planning to leave. Her caseworker safety planned with her around a safe way to exit the relationship.
A referral was made to QSTARS for tenancy advice and LAQ for legal advice. The DVO was finalised, and the order had no contact conditions with no exceptions. The PUV was charged with DFV offences, served a term of imprisonment and was released onto a corrective services order to be monitored by QCS. This case was stepped down from the HRT in April 2020 to the Integrated Service Response (ISR). At the time of the step-down, the CFW counselling team remained engaged with Selma as both she and her son were accessing counselling.
Selma finalised counselling with the service. However, re-engaged with the CFW Assessment and Response Team (A&R Team) in June 2021 following another significant DFV incident. The PUV was returned to custody following being charged and convicted of the DFV offence. While the PUV has been in custody, the A&R Team have been working closely with Selma to ensure her safety upon his release. The A&R Team have completed safety planning and have advocated to housing services to relocate Selma before his release. Another VAQ application has been completed to aid in her recovery from violence.
CFW also advocated for Selma to access legal support for offences that she incurred because of his coercion. Selma was linked in with a GP to obtain scans following the strangulation to ensure she was medically cleared.
The PUV began calling her from custody, however, QCS were able to block her number. Selma has been empowered to report all breaches to QPS.
This case was considered for a re-referral to the HRT however, because of the PUV incarceration and the ISR’s collaborative, rapid response, this case was able to be managed at core business level.
The A&R Team continue to liaise with Courts and QPS to ensure Selma is kept up to date around the PUV’s court matters. Selma is currently in social housing however has recently been successful in securing a private rental. The PUV will have no knowledge of the address upon his release. The VAQ application will contribute to covering the relocation expenses.
Selma is completing her studies, and her son is accessing counselling. Selma will be accessing CFW women’s groups for peer support and psychoeducation. Selma has been empowered to share her story with her friends and family, which has reduced the social isolation she was experiencing due to the PUV’s pattern of behaviour.
OUR DATA 2020-2021
30, 888
HOURS OF SUPPORT
PROVIDED.
14,423
WOMEN AND CHILDREN ACCESSED OUR THERAPEUTIC SERVICES ALONE.
WHAT ARE WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY EXPERIENCING?
WHO ARE THE WOMEN WE SEE?
WHAT AGE GROUPS ARE WE SEEING?
HOW ARE WE SUPPORTING THESE WOMEN?
WE HAVE 51 TEAM MEMBERS ACROSS 5 SITES...
With a variety of client-facing and non-client facing, full-time and part-time positions.
Reconciliation Action Plan
BEYOND FACE VALUE
With a huge range of diversity amongst the team at CFW and a constant drive for reflective and purposeful practice, our teams recognised a need to go beyond the all too common face-value cultural awareness training, so many organisations use.
Instead, we chose to embed deeper understandings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s barriers to accessing support with a clear aim to develop fundamental practice standards between our service delivery and the First Nations peoples we work with and alongside.
To ensure we walk the walk and talk the talk when working towards Closing the Gap, CFW launched a Reconciliation Action Plan (or RAP as we affectionately call it) in March of 2021 alongside the brilliant team at ATSICHS and coinciding with QLD Women’s Week.
As part of that RAP, it was clear that this ever-evolving piece of work would need a team of dedicated and enthusiastic change-makers to delve deeper into what is missing from our service and what we could improve on; in hopes of bringing about authentic and respectful change to our service.
Hence, the RAP Oversight Committee was born.
With RAP OC members coming from various walks of life, cultural backgrounds and skill levels, we feel that this in itself is a true reflection of how CFW views the importance of collaborative work amongst diverse groups as a key to successful and honest professional practice.
On top of their day to day roles, our RAP OC is working hard behind the scenes to ensure that CFW is practising respectful, engaging and collaborative styles of support through further learning, networking and advocacy; and are helping us to provide appropriate responses and support to First Nations Peoples across the Logan and Redland’s catchments and CFW offices alike.
The most recent focus point for the RAP OC has been considering where each of our CFW offices is situated and how we go about paying sincere respect to the traditional custodians of those lands and language groups.
With that in mind, the RAP OC has embarked on seeking opportunities to meet with respective local Elders or Indigenous organisations for cultural awareness training specific to the areas each of our offices resides on. We believe that this will be a huge benefit to our teams in better understanding the current concerns facing our First Nations clients and co-workers and the history of how these concerns came to be, and how we go about breaking them down to close the gap for good.
Stay tuned for more info on our successes and points of discussion, and as always, your contribution is invaluable, so please feel welcome and encouraged to contact our team via the RAP OC distribution list.
- Georgie, Intake Worker
Local Link
LEARNING, ENGAGING, GROWING
The Domestic and Family Violence Local Link has expanded this year. It now consists of a Manager/Trainer and three Domestic and Family Violence Local Link workers covering the Redlands, Logan and Scenic Rim Region. We are so excited we work with YFS to cover the Scenic Rim region in this program. We’ve had an AMAZING year of learning, educating, engaging and building relationships. This year we have had to say goodbye to one of our pioneer Local Links but welcomed our new Local Link excitedly. This program has also expanded to the Brisbane South region and has included the collaboration with Brisbane Domestic Violence Service.
During this year, our focus has been education and support for general practice staff, as well as the continued focus on building our relationships. This involved understanding how we can ‘’link” the primary health care to the service system, and we have noticed as we educate and connect, it has built confidence to both sectors and as a result of this we have increased our referrals and engagement, and this is evidenced by the following:
Our engagement strategies allowed us to use our creativity to make resources as a team. These are Myth Buster posters, postcards with QR codes providing easy access to our website containing 'Frequently asked Q’s', information sharing guidelines, Local Linker videos, photo cards, climate for disclosure, CALD information booklet for primary healthcare staff, badges and training resources. I am sure there is much more; however, this is all that comes to mind.
This program has supported general practice staff to recognise and respond and refer patients/clients as well as provide support for debriefing and ongoing support to the general practice staff may be providing to their patients. One of the biggest highlights of this program is the referral for victim-survivors who have never had any support throughout their lifetime or knew they could access help. In particular, there has been a high number of referrals for older women who have been in abusive relationships for 20 plus years and are now willing to accept support. We also provide support to general practice staff who have experienced DFV as well as provide advocacy for clients into General practice who require follow up for nonlethal strangulation or mental health support.
Such a great effort, and as the program continues to grow and expand with the learning we have already done and continue to do, you will see these positive outcomes for the community throughout the southeast region.
- Linda, Local Link Manager
Corporate Support
SUPPORTING OUR SUPPORTERS
As a not-for-profit organisation, we rely on government funding to deliver our highly in-demand services. Our dedicated and passionate team of qualified professionals are under-resourced and seeing high numbers of women and children coming into our services. 2021 saw us closing counselling waitlists for our Domestic & Family Violence (DFV) Counselling services for women and children. This was due to the high waiting periods that became unmanageable.
We are incredibly grateful for the support that we are shown by our community, and we continue to seek partnerships and donations that will support the support services needed for our community.
In April 2021, we embarked on a new journey where we established a fee-for-service DFV training model.
In the last three months of the 2021 financial year, we connected with a number of services, delivered DFV training to numerous workers and community members.
We have also developed a Corporate Social Responsibility model to support small, medium and large businesses that want to promote respect and gender equality within their workplace(s) and take a genuine stand against DFV. There is a growing understanding that DFV is a workplace issue, and we see first-hand the impacts of unsupportive workplaces on victims/survivors. Research supports this too. Two-thirds of Australian women experiencing DFV are employed, and many feel that responses at work are inadequate and unsafe.
We need safe and respectful workplaces, cultural change and innovative workplace responses.
Our Corporate Social Responsibility packages support businesses to identify opportunities in addressing DFV. From visible commitment from the Leadership to Policy, sustainable and targeted responses, training and assistance implementing DFV initiatives and outcomes measurement.
The Centre for Women & Co. is committed to building and strengthening strong and meaningful partnerships. We are looking for businesses with values that align with ours, which are Integrity, Compassion and Respect. We welcome conversations and connections with no pressure added to take up any of our packages. We are grateful to be able to connect and link you in with our support services.
There is a range of other ways a business can be involved and support our organisation, including:
- Donations including in-kind contributions
- Scholarship sponsorship
- Supporting our social enterprise by buying their products.
All proceeds go to DFV prevention initiatives that support our community.
We need individuals, businesses and organisations, like you to support us.
If you would like to join us in our mission to achieve social justice for all people affected by DFV, please contact our team on 3050 3060.
- Dyana, Partnerships & Strategy Manager
Community Engagement, Education & Primary Prevention
WORKING IN DIFFERENT SPACES
CFW’s Marketing, Communications and Engagement space has continued to reflect the overarching service growth over the past year. With the incorporation of the Integrated Community Education and Her Platform Project Worker, we could focus on developing more engaging, education-based digital content that reflects some of the core principles practised within our therapeutic space. This includes content around real self-care, psycho-education and destigmatisation, which has been received overwhelmingly positively.
Primary Prevention
In the primary prevention space, we continue to share messaging and raise public awareness to support broader social change. A highlight in this space this year was the DFVP Month Twitter Campaign, where we shared de-identified cases from our Centres. The tweets included different aspects of service delivery, including crisis response and intervention and domestic and family violence women’s and children’s counselling.
Another highlight was the release of our Get Fresh With Consent packs which built on the Guide to Self-Care and Healthy Relationships for Young People from last year. This year we had some input from community stakeholders and included more content around consent and online safety. This year we made it available to other community services at cost price to allow for further dissemination, which has also been received positively across the community. Thank you to Logan City Council for their support with this project.
Community Engagement
We have started hosting some more craft-based workshops at Her Space at HQ, which has also been received positively. This space is invaluable as it provides a lighter space for our community of women to connect within while still remaining within a trauma-informed, safe space. These workshops also centre around mindful activities such as macrame craft and, again, reflect some of the core principles practised within the therapeutic space.
Community Education & Workshops - Beenleigh & SMBI
We have been unable to run a number of groups with the impact of COVID at times this year, but we have maintained consistency in our offerings, providing avenues for women to engage in the therapeutic space at various levels.
The Beenleigh team have been providing a variety of groups to our women, including:
The CFW Welcome Sessions – an information session about what to expect when accessing our Beenleigh service. It covers clients rights and responsibilities, informed consent, what is counselling, what isn’t counselling and covers some self-care tips.
Flourish Series – Nourish, Cultivate, Digging Deep, Digging Deeper, Bloom. This is our signature workshop series designed to help women learn, heal and grow in a safe, supportive space.
Ignite – continues to be one of our most engaged programs, introducing the concepts of self-compassion, self-care and mindfulness.
Gentle Flow Yoga – beginner-friendly gentle yoga workshops. Introducing simple stretching at your own pace and take time to focus on breathing.
Workshops provided by external facilitators:
Introduction to Financial Counselling - YFS
Home Energy Group - YFS
Goal Setting - Match Works
Spark Employment – YFS - three clients attended and have had great outcomes with employment opportunities.
Suited To Success – Suited to Success
Financial Information Services – Services Australia
Our work on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands continues to mature as we consolidate our offering to the community. We are currently working on a self-care workshop program aimed at young women on the Islands expected to roll out later this year.
Scholarships
VISIBLE IMPACT
January this year once again kicked off our 2021 Scholarship Fund with great excitement. This program is very much the brainchild of our CEO, Stacey, and it’s one of the biggest highlights of her year.
This year again, we received a large number of applications and felt privileged to read every one. We very much admire the strength, determination and courage each applicant put into applying. We can assure you that all of the powerful stories were heard and appreciated.
We held our scholarship event in Queensland Women’s Week and celebrated with the recipients and our team over lunch.
Aimee (featured left) received the Business Start-Up category with her, and her partner’s LGBTIQ+ focused underwear brand HUMXN CO.
Aimee has used the scholarship funds to contribute to product development and sampling, packaging and website design.
Receiving the scholarship meant that she was able to continue her studies and graduate while developing the business.
Aimee and her partner will be launching HUMXN CO. later this year, so get excited and watch this space.
If you are a business and would like to sponsor one of these scholarships next year, please call us on 3050 3060 or see centreforwomen.org.au/donations.
Her Platform
DEVELOPING OUR IMPACT
Our community has really shown up in numbers for Her Platform Shop and Her Space this last year. Her Platform proceeds have shifted from supporting CFW more broadly to now specifically funding primary prevention work by the team related to breaking the cycle of violence and de-stigmatising mental health concerns. Some of the work it has funded includes our Women’s Wellbeing Guide, which has recently been released, our digital storytelling about DFV and mental health and our educational posts on social media.
In honour of International Women’s Day, we had a buy-one-get-one-free for our t-shirts for the month of March. In addition to this, we simultaneously launched our ‘Shout a Sister’ initiative, which allows customers to donate to CFW when checking out with their orders.
Mid-year we started screen printing our textile products such as tees, totes and jumpers. This has allowed us to practise slower fashion as we only print what people order. We are big on wanting people to feel good when they order from our shop – not just for their impact in our community but also for their lack of impact on the earth. We reduce, reuse and recycle products, materials and packaging as much as possible as we know this matters to our awesome customers.
In June and July, we released limited edition hoodies and jumpers with our classic ‘Hey Girl’ design. The positive social messaging printed on these products was well received by our community and followers, and we have loved seeing people posting in their new tees and jumpers. We have recently released our Mental Health Pack with an affirmation puzzle created by our team, our Women’s Wellbeing Guide, scented candles and our Doolittle Illustrations x Her Platform self-care notepad.
Her Space is finally completely renovated and open to the public. We now have three group spaces with air conditioning and three co-working spaces. Her Space has allowed us to create connections with people in our community; we have had long-term regular Her Space hirers, including community organisations, self-employed individuals, corporate teams and educators across a range of fields, use our space. This initiative has really paid off for our organisation as we have met so many people from all walks of life and have been able to raise considerable revenue for our primary prevention work.
WE ARE STOKED!
- Nicola, Integrated Community Education and Her Platform Project Worker
Men & Co. Services
FOCUSING ON THE FUTURE
This year, The Centre for Women & Co opened a subsidiary, Men & Co. Services. Extensive governance development took place to ensure that Men & Co. has an ethical, impactful and quality framework for operations, strategy and client service delivery. We believe that when men and boys choose health, safe behaviours and wellbeing, it will, in turn, positively impact every community. Men will be healthier and happier, and the impact will mostly be felt by the ones men love; women, children and families, whatever those families might look like.
Our marketing, communications and frontline service delivery has aligned with a future focus toward the provision of a suite of safety-focused holistic services for men. The investment made by The Centre for Women & Co. in this venture, including in a new building, has had a promising return in a short timeframe. In the first year of operations, we have expanded our service delivery substantially. The team has grown to 9 staff, and programs have grown from 1 to 5 programs. There is interest and encouragement from clients, the community sector and the government. There is potential for investment from the corporate and private sectors. We took a leap of faith, knowing that what we were creating was not only needed but timely. We already see the outcomes from our clients whose lives we aim to improve through a specialist gendered service response.
Transforming Men’s Program
The Transforming Men’s Program is a group intervention program for men using violence or abuse. During the 2020-2021 financial year, the program engaged with over 449 clients of the Redlands community, which includes victims and men using abuse. 2889 hours of client work was delivered, and 220 hours of group sessions were facilitated.
Men’s & Male Youth DFV Counselling
Men & Co. were successful in a grant for individual counselling for a period of 6 months. To date, we have engaged with 58 men. This has provided an opportunity to engage with a more diverse group of men that are not suitable for the group model. These include but are not limited to young men, LGBTIQ+ men, CALD men, men with cognitive and intellectual impairments, men with mental health conditions and men who are geographically isolated on the Bay Islands. We are exploring avenues to fund and continue this program.
Respondent Court Assistance Program
This program has been moved from the Redlands women’s centre as this better aligns with men’s service delivery. This program is delivered in the Cleveland and Wynnum Magistrates Courts.
Truth Healing and Reconciliation
In collaboration with Redland City Council, Men & Co. Services have engaged with male survivors of institutional sexual abuse by collecting and recording experiences to produce a digital story. Men and Co. Services have the opportunity to validate and recognise the profound harm caused by institutional abuse, as well as its impacts.
Circle of Security Men’s Parenting Program
Based on client feedback and demand, we trialled the delivery of the evidence-based Circle of Security parenting program for men. The first program had 9 participants out of 10 complete. We are exploring avenues to fund and continue this program that has such high impact and efficacy.
menandcoservices.org.au
Team Culture
WHAT A VIBE
What a year it has been! The CFW team has certainly had some pretty spectacular achievements throughout the year. From settling into new office spaces – really owning their spaces - to welcoming in new team members focusing on targeted projects. From all the craziness this year has brought to us, we are unified as one team – we are stronger together! This has been reflected in the results from our second ever Team Culture Survey.
Team Culture Survey Responses
100% YES Responses to:
- I believe in what CFW is trying to accomplish.
- I understand how my work contributes to the success of CFW.
- I feel a sense of belonging to CFW.
- I am proud to be working here.
- I enjoy working with my team.
- I feel a part of a team that works well together.
Other questions included:
On a scale of 0 to 10 how likely is it that you would recommend CFW as a place to work?
The average answer was 9.
When asked 'what part of working at CFW do you enjoy the most?' responses included:
“Opportunity to learn new things and to be challenged”
“The sense of belonging, knowing you’re doing the best you can to contribute to the community. The genuine emphasis on self-care - it’s a real practice not just spoken about”.
“I love the discussions that we can have here and the in-depth considerations of risks and safety planning” .
“See and hearing the positive impact that our work can make. I am learning so much from my supervisor and will take these teachings with me on my career path towards becoming a social worker”.
Other comments included:
“I believe strongly in our teams and the work we do. The best thing for me about working here is that we are not afraid to pivot and change to meet the needs of our clients and community. I appreciate CFW’s appetite for innovation and genuinely believe in CFW’s commitment to our teams and the women and children we work with.”
“There is so much! I love coming to work knowing that I am encouraged to take care of myself but also supported to progress my career and this is encouraged!!”
“I very much miss my team [when on leave], and having our check in’s and laughs in the morning.”
As part of our strategy across CFW, we are formalising a CFW Workplace Wellbeing Program for the team – beginning with identifying key areas for growth from the feedback within the team survey. We already live and breathe healthy wellbeing across CFW, so the opportunity to formalise a program that provides professional development, growth opportunities and healthy culture for our team is a massive win – watch this space!
We couldn’t do this work without our incredibly driven, passionate and dedicated team. Thank you for what you do and how you make CFW a great place to be.
- Millie R, HR Guru
Innovation at The CFW
STRONGER, FASTER, FURTHER, TOGETHER
At the CFW, we love innovation, so there isn’t a day that goes by that we aren’t thinking of new ways and, more importantly, better ways to do our work. From the Board, all the way through our organisation, we are working on projects to improve client-facing services. In the last 12 months, our social enterprise has gone from strength to strength, with profits made being funnelled into our community engagement and educational work. We fundamentally believe that education is power and knowing your rights is a game-changer. CFW and Men & Co. Services also recognise that we can’t do this work alone, and so we are exploring various ways of working with philanthropic foundations to bridge the gap in our services.
We have also embarked on a project with Social Outcomes, one of Australia’s leading impact organisations. They specialise in researching, designing, costing, implementing, measuring, and financing impact, enabling us to better articulate our return on investment and our impact on the community. So watch this space as we drill down on holding ourselves accountable when it comes to impact. We are also exploring better IT solutions and systems, project management software, and generally ensuring that we do what we do is effective and efficient. So please watch this space and we will be reporting back next year on how our projects are going.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2020-2021
Our five key areas
PEOPLE & CULTURE
COMMITMENT STATEMENT
Inspire and support our people to elevate what’s possible, so that together we can create opportunities that have the greatest impact on our communities.
SERVICE EXCELLENCE
COMMITMENT STATEMENT
Deliver impactful, contemporary and best practice governance, together with sustainable management of all resources which supports the growing demand.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
COMMITMENT STATEMENT
Establish CFW as a committed and curious leader in diversity and inclusion.
PRIMARY PREVENTION & EDUCATION
COMMITMENT STATEMENT
Focus on establishing a primary prevention and education model to deliver expertise to the not for profit and corporate sectors.
CORPORATE SUPPORT & FEE FOR SERVICE ENHANCEMENT
COMMITMENT STATEMENT
Building on Her Platform’s growth and innovation and expand into the CFW primary prevention & education strategy.
If you resonate with the work we do, please consider making a donation. Our services are not-for-profit and funded by the Queensland Government.
centreforwomen.org.au/donations
CLIENT CENTRES:
Beenleigh | Logan Central | Redlands
HEADQUARTERS &
HER PLATFORM SOCIAL ENTERPRISE:
UNDERWOOD
(07) 3050 3060
centreforwomen.org.au
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