A local organisation championing LGBTIQA+ young people has received a grant to deliver more programs in Sunbury.
The grant through the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth)’s The Big Connect will see the WayOut program share in $5 million to deliver services to create safe and affirming opportunities for Sunbury’s diverse youth.
Delivered by Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health (SCCH), the WayOut program focuses on the rights, mental health and wellbeing of queer young people and their families.
SCCH health promotion team leader Lauren Tyrell said the grant gave the organisation a chance to think about expanding the LGBTIQA+ service further.
“We really saw this as an ideal opportunity for us to replicate the really well regarded work of the WayOut program in the Macedon Ranges down into the Sunbury community,” Ms Tyrrell said.
Ms Tyrrell said through the grant the organisation hoped to create safe spaces for people to establish meaningful relationships and have a sense of belonging in their communities.
“We’ll be working with young people, we’ll be working with their families, we’ll be working with schools, council, local organisations and businesses to help young people to feel connected and supported in their school environments and in the broader community,” Ms Tyrrell said.
For a long time, rainbow kids from Sunbury had travelled up to LGBTIQA+ support groups delivered through SCCH in the Macedon Ranges.
“We know it’s something they want and something that they need,” Ms Tyrrell said.
