Blacktown Women’s and Girl’s Health Centre (BWGHC) is a community-based, non-profit women’s health centre which provides accessible health and wellbeing services for women and girls in Blacktown LGA regardless of their income. Our peak body is Women’s Health NSW and we are part of a network of 21 community based women’s health centres in NSW who share similar values and objectives.
We are committed to providing a professional, affordable and holistic gender-informed service promoting health, wellbeing and empowerment for women, delivered in a caring, non-judgemental, respectful and safe environment.
We achieve this by:
- providing a holistic women’s health service to the community.
- Educating women and children so they can make informed choices about healthcare and well-being.
- Empowering women and children to make informed choices throughout their lives.
- Providing a safe place for women and children.
- Advocating for and supporting women from a feminist perspective.
We recognise that women’s health encompasses the physical, spiritual, environmental, emotional and social wellbeing of women and girls. BWGHC offers a holistic approach to understanding, managing and supporting women, girls and the broader community in the Blacktown LGA to make informed decisions about their own health and wellbeing. This approach is based on feminist philosophy, with an emphasis on respect and empowerment for all women and girls.
Our values are:
- Dignity – we treat all people in a way that is respectful of their diversity and as valued individuals.
- Compassion – in our interactions with people, we strive to be kind and empathic.
- Optimism – the unwavering belief in the positive potential inherent in people and society.
- We are a community based, non-government organisation run by and for women.
(OzHarvest), Jane, Emma, Emma Husar, Jhan, and Rachel 2018 - We are a public benevolent institution providing a direct service to disadvantaged women.
- We focus on prevention and early intervention.
- We work in partnership with other agencies.
- We are accessible to all women and girls.
- We strive to maintain ethical standards in all our activities.
- We are committed to best practice.
- Our work environment reflects our values.
BWGHC provides health and well-being services to women and girls in Blacktown LGA, a ‘huge and diverse’ area with high levels of cultural and linguistic diversity.
Many areas of Blacktown LGA experience high levels of socio-economic disadvantage, poor health outcomes and high levels of unmet need when it comes to service provision.
Our area is also experiencing rapid urban development and population growth and is now one of the most densely populated Local Government Areas in Western Sydney, further increasing the demand for services.
BWGHC takes into account the unique needs of our local community. We provide accessible services that take into account the social, cultural and economic barriers that may exist for women and girls wishing to access health services and resources in our area.
Blacktown City Council – Social Profile – Blacktown City 2020
As an incorporated association, Blacktown Women’s and Girls’ Health Centre Incorporated is subject to the Associations Incorporation Act
2009, administered by the Registry Services of NSW Fair Trading.
BWGHC has an Australian Business Number (ABN): 98 059 698 895
BWGHC Rules of AssociationFrom time to time, Management, Staff and the Centre itself are honoured to receive awards. You can read about these very special occasions below:
2016 - BWGHC EO, Jhan Leach, named Blacktown's NSW Regional Woman of The Year
By Gabrielle Lawson
Jhan Leach, Executive Officer of the Blacktown Women’s and Girls Health Centre, has been awarded the Local Woman of the Year for Blacktown at the 2016 NSW Women of the Year Awards.
John Robertson, MP member for Blacktown, nominated Jhan for her enduring commitment to supporting the victims of domestic violence and their families. In 2015, Jhan played an integral part in hosting three vigils for local women who were killed as a result of domestic violence.
Speaking on the matter, Jhan said that domestic violence is a power and control issue and it’s often women and children who are suffering at the hands of the perpetrators, mostly male.
Jhan has dedicated her career to the support, advocacy and empowerment of victims of domestic violence, having struggled with domestic abuse in her own life.
“My mother was a victim of domestic violence from my father who was a violent alcoholic. He beat her, breaking her bones at times and often threw the food she’d lovingly prepared for him on the ground or at her and in the process, he was destroying her and our dedication and love for him” Jhan said.
Jhan stressed the importance of challenging the cultural issues such as gender inequality which perpetuate the violence plaguing our community. She spoke of the need to collaborate with other sectors to discuss solutions and eradicate the violence in our community.
Currently, the Blacktown Women’s and Girls Health Centre offer both generalist and specialist counselling to support women experiencing domestic violence. The Centre also provides a domestic violence court advocacy support service for women needing assistance with domestic violence cases.
The City of Blacktown is home to residents who represent approximately 180 countries and it’s important to tap into how this cultural diversity can be used to improve the safety of all residents. Unfortunately, there are many barriers that victims from culturally and linguistically diverse groups face such as access to services and this is another issue which needs to improve moving forward.
A violent abusive partner is unacceptable and the effects on both the victims of violence and their children can be lifelong. Jhan’s passion and drive for empowering victims is something everyone should aspire to obtain. “When you choose a partner, please choose carefully and find a gentle person who loves you dearly and one who would never harm you or your children” Jhan advised.
For more information, contact:
Jhan Leach, Executive Officer
Woman of the Year Blacktown 2016
Blacktown Women’s and Girls’ Health Centre
North Western Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service
A: 6 Prince Street, Blacktown NSW 2148
T: (02) 9831 2070
E: EO@womensandgirls.org.au
W: www.womensandgirls.org.au
2016 - 'Heart of the Community' Awarded to Jhan Leach
Jhan Leach, the Executive Officer of Blacktown Women’s and Girls’ Health Centre, has been awarded the “Heart of the Community” for Blacktown, 2016.
Her tireless effort and dedication towards supporting women and girls experiencing domestic violence was recognised at this year’s NSW Clubs and Community Awards event in Sydney on Friday the 6th of May.
Jhan was humbled to receive the award and thanked the Blacktown Worker’s Club for nominating her and for their ongoing fundraising efforts to support women and children in our community, who are victims of domestic violence and other abuse.
Upon receiving the award, Jhan addressed more than 1,000 attendees including NSW Premier Mike Baird. She spoke about the work of our services, Blacktown Women’s and Girls’ Health Centre and the North West Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services in the Blacktown area.
Jhan dedicated the award to her mother who passed away during Christmas 2015 and who was a victim of domestic violence from Jhan’s father when she was growing up.
Since her arrival at the Blacktown Women’s and Girls’ Health Centre two years ago, Jhan has worked with dedication to promote and engage with the North West Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service, which assists more than 500 women per month in the area.
The Centre works with numerous outreach services including the Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre, the Outer West Domestic Violence Network, Family Planning NSW and the Women’s Legal Service NSW to address issues using a collaborative approach.
The Centre is actively involved in community development projects in 2016, including the National Sorry Day Vigil with Blacktown City Council on the 26th of May 2016 and a Health Tent with the Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre for NAIDOC week, to address the health disadvantages of the Indigenous community.
Jhan welcomes more than 10 tertiary students per year from social work, counselling and art therapy backgrounds, to train in an organisation that is fast becoming a pivotal part of addressing family violence in Blacktown.
“Jhan is a very inspiring woman. Her strong commitment and determination towards enhancing social justice and equality is invaluable” said Kessel Ryes-Corral, a domestic violence court advocacy worker at the Centre.
“Working together with Jhan, I know that great things can be done to support and work with women and children who have or are experiencing domestic violence in our community.”
For more information, contact:
Jhan Leach, Executive Officer
NSW Woman of the Year (Blacktown) 2016
Blacktown Women’s and Girls’ Health Centre
North West Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service
A: 6 Prince Street, Blacktown NSW 2148
T: (02) 9831 2070
E: EO@womensandgirls.org.au
W: www.womensandgirls.org.au
Blacktown Women’s and Girls’ Health Centre aims to be a safe space for all the women and girls who use our services.
As a user of the Centre, you have certain rights and responsibilities. Please take the time to read through this brochure and, if you wish to discuss anything, ask to discuss it with the counsellor, case manager, practitioner or group facilitator you see.
Staff members will be happy to discuss the contents of this brochure with you, and what the contents means to you:
Click here to view the brochure in a new window:
BWGHC Rights & Responsibilities
BWGHC Rights and ResponsibilitiesBlacktown Women’s and Girls’ Health Centre welcomes new members to join our Association. The cost is just $2.00 per year. Members are able to take an active part in the Centre’s governance by voting for the Committee and our Annual AGM.
Membership and committee nomination forms:
APPLICATION-FOR-GENERAL-MEMBERSHIP-MANAGEMENT-COMMITTEE-NOMINATION-FORM 2015.docxIf you have any queries please call us on (02) 9831 2070 or send an email to info@womensandgirls.org.au
Blacktown Women’s and Girls’ Health Centre is an ACON Safe Place. You’ll find us on the Safe Place map.
According to ACON:
“Safe Place includes services, shops, cafes, and other businesses, that are welcoming, supportive and actively engaged with the LGBTI community. The program is an initiative of ACON.”
