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Holyoake and City of Stirling partnership builds AOD capacity for Stirling Women’s Centre workforce

Holyoake and the City of Stirling have joined forces to improve support for women escaping family and domestic violence at the Stirling Women’s Centre.

The Centre, which is managed by the City, has provided short-term crisis accommodation to thousands of women and children over the past 45 years. It also delivers the Safe at Home program, helping women and children stay in their home if it is safe to do so.

Under an arrangement made possible by Department of Communities funding, Holyoake is delivering specialised training to the Stirling Women’s Centre team, covering issues such as building rapport and trust, alcohol and other drugs, risk management and harm minimisation.

The partnership will empower staff and volunteers to provide even more meaningful support to their clients, particularly those with complex needs.

It was officially launched on Thursday at an event attended by key figures including City of Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin, City of Stirling CEO Stevan Rodic and Holyoake CEO Lorraine Keane.

Holyoake CEO Lorraine Keane commended the City of Stirling’s commitment to collaboration.

“We welcome the collaborative approach of the City of Stirling to develop a co-designed training program for the Stirling Women’s Centre.  We are proud to be delivering tailored Alcohol and Other Drug training to assist the team at the Women’s Centre to support their clients with complex needs. The training will ensure employees of the Centre can respond appropriately to Alcohol and Other Drug presentations, understand the impact and have the means to refer onto Alcohol and Other Drug counselling supports.”

City of Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin said the City of Stirling was passionate about delivering practical and meaningful help to families experiencing violence.

“The Stirling Women’s Centre is the only local government-managed refuge in the State, and this new partnership with Holyoake will improve the support offered to women and children in crisis.”