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The Gender Centre is committed to developing and providing services and
activities which enhance the ability of people with gender issues to make informed
choices.
The Gender Centre is also committed to educating the public and providers about the needs
of people with gender issues. We offer a wide range of services to people with gender
issues, their partners, families and friends in New South Wales. We also act as an
education, support, training and referral / resource Centre to other Organizations and
Service Providers. We specifically aim to provide a high quality service which acknowledges
human rights and ensures respect and confidentiality.
The Gender Centre is not a medical centre and as such we do not provide medical documents
and/or medical care and we cannot make referrals to any medical services; we can, however,
provide information regarding health care service providers for you to acess independently.
We do not give recommendations regarding particular service providers.
Gender Centre Opening Hours
The Gender Centre is located at 7 Bent Street, Petersham. We are open weekdays from
9:00am to 4:30pm.
Services Provided
Counselling
The Gender Centre provides Counselling to residential clients, community clients,
partners, family members and friends of people with gender issues at no cost. The
counselling service also provides support and education to school counsellors as well as
counsellors in rural areas.
Residential Program
Up to 11 residents (16 years of age or over), can be accommodated in three semi-supported
refuge houses. Residents can stay for up to 12 months and are supported to move towards
independent living, residents are encouraged to consider a range of options available to
meet their needs.
Exit House Program
The Gender Centre provides semi-supported accommodation for 6 clients (16 years of age or
over) in partnership with the Woman's Hosing Company in self-contained units. Residents can
stay for up to 12 months and are supported to move towards independent living, residents are
encouraged to consider a range of options available to meet their needs.
Case Management
Intensive Case Management is provided for those who find themselves in Gender Centre
Housing as well as the Gender Centre Exit Housing Program.
Community Case-Management
Intensive case-management is provided to all community clients accessing the Gender
Centre within the boarders of New South Wales as well as co/case-management with other
service providers.
Advocacy Service
The Gender Centre provides advocacy support for transgender and gender questioning people
to help facilitate effective outcomes. The most common advocacy support provided is in
dealings with the police when reporting a crime or being questioned in relation to a
criminal matter, the Department of Housing to prevent evictions, Centrelink to establish
payment of correct entitlements, Aged Care services to provide suitable supported care
options and disability support programs to acquire suitable appliances and equipment for
independent living.
Training for Service Providers and Others
The Gender Centre offers training, support and workshops to employers, service providers,
students and other people interested in gender issues. Topics covered include implications
for staff and clients in relation to anti-discrimination legislation and
E.E.O. issues, workplace
harassment and provision of goods and services as well as many personal aspects of the
transgender process. Training is provided 2 times per year to the Centre for Community
Welfare Training Centre (C.C.W.T.).
Training and Education for clients
The Gender Centre offers training, support and workshops to residential and
non-residential clients of the Gender Centre, workshops include recreational and general
interest courses, employment, work skills development training, health, nutrition, cooking
and living skills courses as well as stand alone nights when guest speakers present mini
forums on current issues relating to the lives of transgender people living in New South
Wales.
Outreach
Available to clients confined in their homes and in hospital in the inner and outer city
areas from Monday to Friday.
Night Outreach
Available to street based sex workers and private parlours in the inner city and
surrounding areas on a Wednesday evening from 8:00pm to midnight.
Gaol Outreach
Available to all Transgender and Gender questioning clients confined in a correctional
centre within the boarders of New South Wales (all Gender Centre staff are Authorised
visitors).
Court & Cell Outreach:
Available to all Transgender and Gender questioning clients within the inner city and
surrounding areas.
Resource Development
The Gender Centre Produces a range of print and online resources on
H.I.V./
AIDS, medical and other
information relevant to people with gender issues and their service providers. Information
packages (Kits) fact-sheets and other printed materials including Polare. As part of the
resources provided by the Gender Centre we have a library with an array of books and
audio-visual material on the issues pertinent to gender questioning and transgender people
available for loan free of charge.
Partners Family Members and Friends
The Gender Centre provides Support, education as well as referrals to a wide range of
specialist counselling, health, legal, welfare and other community services that are
available to the Transgender community.
Wednesday Night Drop-in
The Gender Centre runs a weekly drop-in on a Wednesday night from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Clients are provided with a meal and Guest speakers are available at most drop-ins.
Social and Support
The Gender Centre Provides social and support groups and outings to people with gender
issues
Drug and Alcohol Service
The centre provides counselling support, education and referrals to a broad range of
services.
N.S.E.P. Service
The Gender Centre runs a secondary
N.E.S.P. service, Needle
Exchange, condoms and Lube
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