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Women's Health West
Working with young women
Young Women's Leadership Programs
Our first Leadership program for young women from diverse backgrounds was held in 2004, this program focused on health, communication, event management and careers.
Lead On Again participants with project worker Jan Adams 2004
In 2006 we developed Lead On Again , building on our work in 2004 and on consultations with held other service providers who deliver leadership programs. These consultations revealed that additional support was required after any given leadership program to assist young women to become leadership.
Following it's success '2006's program aimed firstly to provide training to increase participants' leadership skills, knowledge and capacity and secondly to promote and support future participation by these young women in community and leadership activities.
The program spanned a twelve month period and consisted of a series of workshops delivered over five days, an event organised by participants and ongoing support and mentorship.
Lead On Again participants with project workers Sally & Jane 2006
We conducted an evaluation that measured process, impact and outcome indicators based on the program goals. Lead On Again's achievements exceeded our expectations. There was a substantial increase in the young women's confidence and knowledge that was largely sustained six months with 83% of participants reporting involvement in a range of leadership activities.
Due to this success and numerous enquiries from other services interested in running similar programs we have incorporated a model for delivery in this report, with notes for facilitators and training resources that can be adapted by other groups. We hope other organisations across the western region consider this a useful resource in their efforts to inspire young women to shine.
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Lead On Again participants with project worker and peer educators 2008
In 2008, Women's Health West's Kirsten Campbell and Sally Camilleri joined with the Western Young Persons Independent Network (WYPIN) to deliver the program and to provide the ongoing support young women required to achieve their goals. We also invited three young women who participated in the program in 2006 to act as peer educators, they were involved the planning, preparation and the facilitation of the five day program that ran over five days in April.
Young women explored different dimensions of leadership including the personal (confident to speak out, takes responsibility, role model in actions as well as words, is responsible, shows the way), the collective (leads a group, brings people together, makes rules through listening to others, inspires and motivates others) and the global (to change the world, reducing poverty in Africa).
Girls Act Up Too!
Surfie Koorie Chick
Women’s Health West and Young Women’s Secure Welfare approached Somebody’s Daughter Theatre Company to facilitate art, drama and music workshops with the young women, enabling them to explore their talents in a safe, supportive and non-judgmental environment.
The Girls Act Up Too! project aims to facilitate young women from transient communities to contribute to lasting works of art that reflect their experiences and encourage a sense of permanence and achievement.
Girls Act Up Too! project consisted of weekly art workshops with young women conducted by Somebody’s Daughter Theatre. The workshops resulted in a portrait project exploring self-image and identity and a mural project resulting in two life-size mosaic murals portraying young, archetypal female figures. Rock Chick was the first to be completed and graces the cover of WHW Annual Report 2005-2006. The pictured mural features Surfie/Koorie Chick whose identity was shaped by a young Aboriginal woman who showed a special interest in the project.
The process of participation and immediate impact of the project was clearly positive, both in terms of the enjoyment of the experience for the young women and the subtle behavioural changes noted by staff working with the young women. The murals are a vivid and tangible tribute to the efforts of the young women.
Art Project with Young Women in Custody
The Give Violence the Flick project involved art workshops with young women in custody, exploring anti-violence themes for 2005 Week Without Violence. Art, poetry and animations from the project have been published online. 'Give Violence the Flick Project'