The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre has officially launched its new training and activity room as part of its expansion to provide more services to the Northern Illawarra.
The room at the Centre’s Northern site at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus is a dedicated space to support education, well-being programs and community connection for women across the region.
Acting General Manager Tonina Harvey said the space represented an important investment in community-based support and early intervention services.
“This new room gives us the opportunity to expand the programs and activities we can offer women in the Illawarra,” Ms Harvey said.
“It’s about creating a safe, welcoming and flexible space where women can connect, learn new skills, access support and build confidence. We know that community-based services change lives, and this room will help us reach even more women who need support.”
Lord Mayor of Wollongong, Tania Brown, welcomed the opening of the new space and praised the Centre’s long-standing contribution to the Illawarra community.
Chairwoman of the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre, Jess Koot said the launch reflected the Centre’s ongoing commitment to responding to the growing needs of women in the region.
“For more than 40 years, the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre has provided holistic and specialist support for women,” Ms Koot said.
“This new training and activity room strengthens our ability to deliver programs that focus on prevention, education and well-being, while also creating opportunities for community connection.”
The Centre currently provides integrated health, counselling and support services to women, including those experiencing domestic and family violence, from its Warilla base. The new Innovation Campus space is currently being self-funded by the Centre as it works to expand services into the northern Illawarra.
Demand for counselling, domestic and family violence support, and sexual and reproductive health services has more than doubled in the past three years, with waitlists stretching up to 12 months and referrals periodically closing due to overwhelming demand.
Ms Harvey said the Centre would continue advocating for investment in women’s services, particularly in the northern Illawarra where there is currently no permanent women’s health service.
“Women in the northern Illawarra are missing out on accessible, local support,” she said.
“For many women, distance, cost and availability are real barriers to getting help. We already have the expertise and the model to deliver services where they are needed most, but we need government funding to establish a permanent northern site.”
The Centre is inviting organisations to express their interest in holding groups, training or support services at the Northern Site.
Contact 4255 6800 for more information.