Blog

Free face masks for the vulnerable now available at our Eaglehawk and Kangaroo Flat sites

: Wednesday 12 August 2020; Written by Rod

We now have free disposable face masks for vulnerable Victorians at our Eaglehawk and Kangaroo Flat sites.

There is a limit of five masks per person and these will be provided pre-packaged for your safety.

The disposable face masks will be given to vulnerable people while we wait for free reusable face masks to arrive from the Department of Health and Human Services.

DHHS will give out 2.1 million reusable face masks to agencies that deliver services and support vulnerable Victorians to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Stay tuned to this post and we will let you know when the reusable face masks arrive. Until then below you will find details about the disposable face masks we have now and who is eligible for them.

Victorians who will be offered reusable face masks will include:

: Wednesday 29 July 2020; Written by Rod

Give small

5 Ways to Wellbeing - Give

Have you ever noticed how you feel when you help someone without expecting anything in return?

This is because helping others makes us feel good.

It gives us a sense of purpose, improves our self-worth and contributes to strong relationships.

Generosity can also start in small ways – at work, at home and with friends.

It can be as simple as taking the time to check in with an old friend, or offering your seat to someone on the bus or train.

If you take some time to practice empathy and identify ways you can improve the lives of those around you, everyone will reap the benefits.

Cookies web

5 Ways cookies were part of the 'Give' theme in our 2019 campaign.

Did you know?

Scientific studies show that helping others makes us happier. It increases life satisfaction, provides a sense of meaning, increases feelings of competence, improves our mood by releasing endorphins, and reduces stress.

How to help others:

Take time to really listen when you ask someone how their weekend was, or bake a treat for someone who is having a tough time.
Write a postcard of gratitude to show your appreciation for someone in your life.
Volunteering is an awesome way to help others and get involved in the community. Find out more at your local volunteer resource centre.
Read up on how to ask a friend how they’re going, helping a friend who’s stressed and looking after yourself while volunteering.

Check out the other 5 Ways to Wellbeing themes

What is 5 Ways to Wellbeing? Learn more!

Last updated: July 2020

5 Ways to Wellbeing - Connect

: Wednesday 29 July 2020; Written by Rod

Connect small

5 Ways to Wellbeing - Connect

Humans are social animals.

Our relationships contribute to feeling good, so its important to stay socially connected to others when we can.

Surrounding ourselves with people who not only offer a perspective and emotional support, but also reflect back our values and strengths, can help us maintain our resolve during tough times.

Life can be super-stressful, but nurturing a diverse array of relationships can make even the most challenging circumstances more bearable.

Family dinner

Did you know?

Research has shown social connectedness is at least as important for your health as regular exercise or eliminating nasties such as smoking.

How to build social connectedness:

Make the effort to schedule quality time with family and friends. Clear space in your diary for a meal, a movie or a marathon (running or Netflix) with the people you love.
Find your tribe! Joining a community group to meet people with common interests is a fast way to make meaningful connections. Volunteer for a charity or a cause that’s close to your heart, or try a group fitness activity at Peter Krenz Leisure Centre.
Tend to your existing relationships. Maybe check in on someone you haven’t spoken to for a while. Checking in on loved ones, no matter the (physical or emotional) distance, can help keep you grounded and connected to your support network.
Social media has made the world much smaller, and it’s now a simple matter to keep tabs on your people. The downside is that it’s too easy to substitute a quick click for a more personal and meaningful connection. Commit to spending time with others offline and in real life

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Check out the other 5 Ways to Wellbeing themes:

What is 5 Ways to Wellbeing? Learn more!

Last updated: July 2020

5 Ways to Wellbeing - key actions to help you improve mental health

: Wednesday 29 July 2020; Written by Rod

Why is our 5 Ways to Wellbeing program so important to your mental health?

Well, let our Health Promotion team explain ...

What is wellbeing?

Wellbeing is when you are feeling good and functioning well.

It includes feeling physically and mentally well, spiritually aware or connected and your life has meaning and purpose.

When you are feeling happy and well, you’re more likely to experience positive relationships with others, participate in the community and have a sense of purpose. This will help you live a happier and a longer life as well as help you to cope with stress.

The good news is you can work on improving your wellbeing.

The 5 Ways to Wellbeing model promotes five key actions to focus on.

(Click on an icon below to learn more about that theme)

Got any questions?

If you have any questions about 5 Ways to Wellbeing and how you can use the program or get involved email our Health Promotion team member Siobhan on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 5406 1200.

RELATED INFORMATION

BLOG POST: Mental health the focus of 5 Ways to Wellbeing 2019 campaign

PICTURES: Cookie 'Give' away highlights day two of 5 Ways to Wellbeing campaign in 2019

VIDEOS: 5 Ways to Wellbeing campaign introduces great people doing great things in the Bendigo community.

Last updated: August 2020

#BendigoTogether campaign rolls out yellow balloons so community can welcome refugees

: Thursday 23 July 2020; Written by Rod

Yellow balloons have been a symbol of Bendigo’s strength and togetherness since 2015, when they were used to stand up against racism, hatred and division.

And today, Believe in Bendigo and Bendigo Community Health Services are again using them to show the world that no matter where you come from, you are welcome in this city.

The #BendigoTogether campaign began in June to support the city’s Karen community after a series of COVID-19 related attacks.

Bendigo Community Health Services received reports of Karen community members being verbally abused, coughed on and called names linked to the Coronavirus pandemic.

“The campaign has been a success so far, with members of the Karen community feeling very supported to the Bendigo community for showing them they are welcome, and they belong,” BCHS Cultural Diversity and Relationships team manager Kaye Graves said.

“Karen community members have reported seven incidences to police, and since the awareness campaign began, reports of these attacks to us have reduced.

“But we don’t want to be complacent.”

As numbers of coronavirus cases across Victoria rise, Believe in Bendigo spokesperson Margot Spalding said it is important the campaign continues.

“We have printed some amazing yellow wheelie balloon bin stickers and we’ll be delivering them to letterboxes around Bendigo in the next few weeks, she said.

“It’s a great chance for locals to show their support for all communities in Bendigo, to show that Bendigo welcomes everyone and won’t stand for hatred.

“Put your yellow balloon sticker on your council rubbish bin and take a stand against racism and abuse.

“Share a photo of you and your bin on social media and tag #BendigoTogether. If you want a sticker, but haven’t got one yet, message Believe in Bendigo on facebook and we’ll put one in your letterbox.”

Learn more about the #BendigoTogether campaign by reading our original launch post click here

RELATED INFORMATION:

Visit our Coronavirus Bendigo Refugee Resource Hub for the latest videos and information sheets in Karen, Dari and Dinka language: https://bit.ly/CoronavirusRefugees

We have launched a new Coronavirus Telephone Hotline for the Karen community with our Karen speaking staff taking calls and answering questions. Learn more

VIDEO: How to choose a safe face mask and wear them correctly in Karen, Dari and Dinka language. To watch click here

Bendigo face mask request in regional Victoria's battle against Coronavirus

: Friday 17 July 2020; Written by Rod

UPDATE:

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced everyone must wear a face mask when out in public in regional Victoria from midnight on Sunday, August 2.

Anyone not wearing a face mask in public can be fined.

Mr Andrews said the move was designed to 'jealously guard' the low transmission rate in regional Victoria.

Free face masks for 'vulnerable' from DHHS

The Department of Health and Human Services is giving two free reusable face masks to 'vulnerable' residents in Victoria.

BCHS is a distribution point but the reusable face masks have not arrived yet so we are unable to hand them out sorry. We will let you know when they arrive.

We do have free disposable face masks for the vulnerable at our Eaglehawk and Kangaroo Flat sites with a limit of five per person in pre-packaged bags for your safety.

To see if you are eligible for the free face masks click here

To watch the video and see where to get tested in Bendigo please click the 'read more' button. Thank you.

: Friday 17 July 2020; Written by Rod

The annual Run For Dad at Bendigo Racecourse on Father’s Day has been cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Organising committee spokesperson Keith Macdonald said ongoing uncertainty around the Coronavirus pandemic had left no choice but to cancel the popular September event for 2020.

The Bendigo Run For Dad raises community awareness about men’s health with proceeds supporting the Men's Health Clinic at Bendigo Community Health Services and Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

“We have held out as long as we could on making a decision about the Run For Dad but it’s become clear the ever changing landscape around the Coronavirus pandemic has meant we had to make a call,” Mr Macdonald said.

“Regional Victoria has done a great job in keeping the Coronavirus at bay but as we’ve seen in Melbourne in recent weeks this can change very quickly so we thought the best thing to do was take a break this year.

“We will continue to raise community awareness about the importance of men’s health while we wait for 2021 to roll around and we’ll bring the Run For Dad back in whatever format the ‘new normal’ allows.

“Until then we encourage everyone in the community to follow the Coronavirus rules to ensure you, your family and our community stay safe and well.”

Bendigo Community Health Services Nurse Practitioner Peter Strange said the organisation fully supported the decision to cancel the Run For Dad this year.

“Communities must focus on getting rid of this Coronavirus to keep everyone safe and well,” Mr Strange said.

: Tuesday 14 July 2020; Written by Rod

Bendigo Community Health Services has launched a free Coronavirus telephone hotline to further support the Karen community in Bendigo.

Karen speaking guides and case workers from the BCHS Settlement Services team will run the free Coronavirus Hotline Monday to Thursday from 1pm to 4.30pm.

People can call 5406 1254 or call/send a text message to 0437 418 984.

If you are on a pre-paid mobile phone plan it's okay, we will ring you straight back.

BCHS Community Engagement manager Rod Case said the hotline initiative was in response to a rise in Coronavirus concerns and questions from the Karen community and the need to ensure important information was fully understood.

The hotline further enhanced the #BendigoTogether campaign launched with Believe In Bendigo to support the Karen community after reports of Coronavirus abuse and taunts.

"Our Settlement Services team is seeing an increase in concern and questions from the Karen community around the Coronavirus," Mr Case said.

"The Coronavirus hotline will take on a Karen focus because there are now more than 3000 members of that community in Bendigo but BCHS is providing support to Dari and Dinka speaking refugees too through our online Coronavirus Bendigo Refugee Resource Hub.

"The resource hub on our www.bchs.com.au website has now had more than 5200 visits. We launched this hub back in early March when we first saw a real need for Coronavirus information to support the refugee communities and now there's 15 information sheets and 20 videos translated into Karen, Dari and Dinka language available.

"The response has been amazing reaching more than 72,000 people on social media with 14,670 views of the videos and 2262 downloads of information sheets. It's clear this hub is having an impact in helping stop the spread of Coronavirus but while we have been really pleased with the support for the hub, the message from the refugee communities is clear they want someone to talk with about their concerns and questions too and that's why we're launching this free Coronavirus hotline.

"When people ring the hotline there will be a familiar voice on the other end of the line providing the right answers and information to put their minds at ease around Coronavirus and how to keep their families safe. If you have a pre-paid phone plan and are worried about the cost it's okay - we will ring you straight back to help you out."

: Tuesday 7 July 2020; Written by Rod

To download an information sheet showing our refugee journey in providing Coronavirus support pdf click here (233 KB)

We just wanted to thank everyone for the wonderful support around our work to help refugee communities during this Coronavirus pandemic.

We had a look back at what we've achieved so far and gathered some statistics. This is what we found ...

Our work started with community consultation way back in March when this whole dreadful Coronavirus episode began and we saw a need to get information to refugee residents.

Our first translated information sheets and videos were created not long after and then we established an online Coronavirus Bendigo Refugee Resource Hub for easy access. Check it out: https://bit.ly/CoronavirusRefugees

The online resource hub has logged 4202 individual visits.

We've since made 15 information sheets in language as the Coronavirus landscape changes in Victoria which have been downloaded 2262 times from the resource hub.

We've made 20 videos now watched 14,670 times.

We've promoted our work to the community through social media with the Facebook posts alone reaching 72,753 people.

Our staff have been calling refugee clients daily since March to check on their welfare and see if they have any questions.

We've launched a 5406 1254 Coronavirus Telephone Hotline for the Karen community with our Karen speaking staff taking the calls to provide a familiar and trusted voice.

: Saturday 27 June 2020; Written by Rod

Marong Kinder Shine Bright: Sylvie, Xavier and Tess.

Bendigo Community Health Services is using a Smiles 4 Miles initiative to battle alarming rates of tooth decay in children from ‘high risk’ areas across the City of Greater Bendigo.

The Dental Health Services Victoria funded program was developed to tackle poor oral health in the state.

BCHS Smiles 4 Miles co-ordinator Leah Wastell said three simple messages were used to educate children on oral health and tooth decay – drink well, eat well, clean well.

“We promote drinking tap water and limiting sugary drinks, eating nutritious food and limiting added sugars and brushing teeth twice a day,” Leah said.

“Smiles 4 Miles also raises awareness that it’s important children visit a health professional by the age of two for an oral health check.”

Leah wants parents and carers to understand good oral health was essential for the overall health and wellbeing of children.

“Oral diseases like tooth decay can cause a lot of pain and discomfort which impacts heavily on a child’s quality of life," Leah said.

“Research shows around 50 per cent of six-year old children in Australia experience tooth decay. The message we need to get out is that with the right care we can stop this happening.”

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Discovering BCHS - meet our staff

Find out more about our amazing staff
kidzspace - a new era for BCHS

Our kidzspace project
Volunteers

BCHS recognises and thanks our volunteers
Partnerships

BCHS recognises and thanks our partners
From our executive

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Celebrations

Celebrating BCHS's milestones
Men's Health Marathon

Bendigo Community Health Services runs the Men's Health Marathon in late August and early September each year - 11 days of activities designed to get men out, active and thinking seriously about their health.