Media Release 17 November 2005

SEEKING YOUNG WOMEN TO BE COMMUNITY LEADERS

Women's Health West is seeking applications from young women aged 16 to 24 from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds for a new leadership program.

The 'Lead On Again' Leadership Program aims to improve the skills and self-esteem of young women from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, giving them the experience, contacts and confidence to play a role in future community projects.

The five-day program will run during the school holidays, from Monday 16 January to Friday 20 January 2006. Young women are invited to register their interest by 21 November 2005, by calling Women's Health West on 9689 9588. Fifteen participants will be chosen through an informal application and interview process.

The program will include training in public speaking, self-confidence and self-esteem, as well as a careers workshop and team-building activities.

"Lead On Again is a great opportunity for young women interested in playing a role in their community," says Women's Health West's Acting Chief Executive Officer Karen Sait. "It also gives young women a chance to develop skills and contacts for future employment, and can even help with information and support to decide what they want to do with their lives."

The January program follows our first successful leadership program, 'Lead On', held in July 2003. Feedback from participants in that program included: "It is helping me work out what I want to do"; "I feel more confident … and less intimidated"; and "I could see the improvement, and I got feedback from the others that I had improved". Participants from 'Lead On' have been involved in developing the new leadership program.

A key aspect of this program is that Women's Health West aims to help provide participants with ongoing opportunities for involvement with community organisations and projects once the five-day program itself is finished.

"A problem with many leadership programs is that once they're over, agencies have limited resources to help participants build on the skills they have acquired," says Ms Sait. "Women's Health West will draw on our partnerships with community organisations throughout the Western region, seeking opportunities for 'Lead On Again' participants to get involved in more community projects. We are also keen to involve participants as peer educators in future leadership projects."

FIND OUT MORE about our work with diverse women and communities.

MEDIA CONTACT

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact our Acting Chief Executive Officer Karen Sait or our Communications Officer on 9689 9588 or via email.