Women's Health Northern Rivers Secures 975k to Expand Services

• Women’s Health Northern Rivers will receive almost $975,000 in new funding
• The grant will go to fund outreach services for the next two years
• Increasing the reach among women in the region of Northern Rivers

WHNR, previously referred to as NORWACS has now revealed that it has obtained nearly $975,000 in funding for the next two years to continue to provide outreach services and support additional women throughout the Northern Rivers.

This funding will enhance WHNR’s capacity to provide Women with Trauma-Informed Care for Women Living in Regional and Remote Areas, thereby enabling Women within the Region to be given access to a Safe, Trauma-Informed Place for Support.

WHNR Acting CEO Emma Siegel met with local MP Janelle Saffin to discuss the expansion of services and to acknowledge the advocacy from both Saffin and MP Justine Elliot for continuing WHNR's outreach program after disaster-recovery funding ended.

WHNR reported that whereas earlier attempts to expand the disaster-recovery model had been unsuccessful, the new funding represents a shift from recovery to resilience, and also acknowledges the organisation's established record in providing accessible support.

The Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, said the work that WHNR did after the 2022 floods was fundamental as they were in such demand during the recovery period.

She says she advocated with NSW Ministers for a priority on the outreach's continuity, with Federal MP Justine Elliot giving support to the program.

WHNR said that the funding comes at a critical time, as the Northern Rivers continues to record some of the state's highest rates for domestic and family violence.

For too many women in the region, distance, housing pressures, or the ongoing impacts of disasters create significant barriers to reach support. WHNR's outreach model is designed to meet these complex challenges through the provision of counseling, social work, and domestic and family violence support in familiar, accessible settings via mobile teams and regional partnerships.

As part of the expansion, WHNR will extend popular group programs—such as the “Shark Cage” program that supports women who have experienced violence—into more communities.

Emma, the Acting CEO of WHNR, commented that the funding will enable WHNR to provide outreach activities to communities that had been historically underserved by WHNR’s existing outreach activities. “This is critical to our ability to deliver holistic, trauma-informed and accessible support,” stated Emma. 

WHNR also noted that the funding is in addition to the recent enhancement grants that were awarded to 22 women’s health centres throughout NSW as part of the $100 million NSW Government’s investment in Women’s Health Centres.

Together, these funds are expected to improve access for women living in the Northern Rivers to a safe, local and responsive service. Any woman looking for assistance should reach out to WHNR via its website or by contacting WHNR directly.