Eating “Out” Program
This partnership between CERSH and UnitingCare Cutting Edge to facilitate a fortnightly meals program which is run at UnitingCare Cutting Edge continued from 2009 into 2010. Eating “Out” provides a social support space for same sex attracted & transgender young people (SSATYP) and their friends (15 – 25 yrs) in the Greater Shepparton community / Goulburn-Murray region. The group is structured to be open and friendly, and have a welcoming environment. It is a place to explore sexuality issues, obtain information, discuss concerns, talk to others facing similar issues, and HAVE FUN learning to cook and sharing a meal with others. SSATYP often lack social skills and ‘life skills’, such as cooking healthy, nutritional meals, and knowing how / where to access STI testing. By attending the fortnightly Eating “Out” program, SSATYP enhanced their social and ‘life skills’, learned to cook healthy, nutritional meals, and in doing so, enjoyed a greater sense of connection to the local community, enhanced self confidence and better understood safe, positive relationships, whilst learning about sexual health information (including getting their own tests done privately), and thinking about/discussing future strategies for addressing all of the above issues, including driving their own advocacy. This project was well attended and received positive evaluation from its participants.