Women with lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence are being invited to join a new 10-week advocacy and leadership program through the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre.
Supported by GM³, the Change Makers Collective is for women who want to use their voice to help improve the systems, services and responses that affect women experiencing violence.
The program recognises that women with lived experience bring knowledge and insight that can make an important contribution to change. But having a voice in those conversations can also require skills, support and an understanding of how advocacy works.
Over 10 weeks, participants will explore different ways to advocate for change and build practical skills they can use in the areas that matter to them.
Sessions will cover topics including understanding advocacy, identifying the change you want to make, working with decision-makers, engaging with the media, sharing lived experience safely, setting boundaries and looking after yourself while undertaking advocacy.
Participants will also have the opportunity to develop their own advocacy project, putting what they have learned into practice around an issue they care about.
There is no expectation that women share details of their personal experiences as part of the program. An important part of the Change Makers Collective is helping participants decide what they are comfortable sharing, what they want to keep private and how they can use their voice in a way that feels right for them.
The Centre is now seeking expressions of interest from women who would like to be part of the first Change Makers Collective.
The program will begin in October and run for 10 weeks, with participants meeting for three hours each Thursday.
Women don’t need previous advocacy experience or a particular project in mind. The program is designed to provide a supportive place to learn, connect with other women and explore how lived experience can contribute to meaningful change.
Interested in becoming a changemaker?
Expressions of interest are now open for women who would like to find out more about joining the Change Makers Collective.
Express your interest here.