Welcome to Diversity Group
Being a headspace Bendigo Diversity Group member is a great opportunity to promote the positive image of young LGBTIQA+ people as well as mental health. Your behaviour as a member of Diversity Group should enhance the reputation of headspace Bendigo and what it stands for, as well as being considerate of other members’ needs.
Group Logistics
Diversity Group is headspace Bendigo’s social support group for young same-gender attracted, sex and gender diverse (SGASGD) youth and is made up of young people aged 12-25.
Diversity Group hopes to:
Provide you with a safe space to be yourself.
Provide opportunities for you to share and learn information relating to SGASGD young people.
Provide a place for you to meet and form friendships with other young people who are going through a similar experience to you.
Allow you to participate in local LGBTIQA+ related activities and events.
Encourage you to be involved in planning and organising LGBTIQA+ activities and events to be facilitated by headspace Bendigo.
Participation Requirements
headspace Bendigo recognises that individuals have different commitments outside of Diversity Group leading to different individual time and availability, therefore your attendance does not have to be consistent. You will not lose your place within the group if you miss any number of meetings.
Note:You are only to attend the group that is for your age.
FROGS– Full Range Of Gender and Sexuality, Wednesdays from 4:00-5:30pm 18-25 years of age.
TADPOLES– Trans And Diverse People Openly Loving Everyones Sexuality, Thursdays from 4:00pm – 5:30pm 12-17 years of age.
Diversity Group Guidelines
Be inclusive and respectful of others – no name-calling, discriminatory language, hate speech, subtle racist/sexist comments or jokes, peoples abilities, mental/physical health or physical presentation.
Be kind and considerate to the diverse ways in which we communicate.
There is no pressure to share any personal information you do not feel comfortable with.
Use inclusive language during group times, if unsure please ask and consider how your words will affect others.
Do not pressure anyone to share any personal information, conversations/activities that may not feel comfortable doing.
People’s personal identities are personal, they know themselves better than you know them, don’t argue about their gender/identity/sexuality.
Do not be afraid to ask questions – there is no dumb question!
Everything spoken about during meetings should remain private and confidential – do not use any group members name or other personal details when talking or sharing stories outside of the group. Remember this is a safe space and not all who attend group are publicly out to family/friends. We need to always protect everyones privacy.
Don’t make any assumptions about group members. How we introduce ourselves in our introductions is how we address each other. E.g., names and pronouns
Be patient with those who are still learning or willing to learn and accept that you don’t know and have more to learn.
Be respectful of noise levels as some people do have sensory impairments
Ask to talk to the group facilitator one-on-one if there is something you want to discuss privately. If there are any issues within the group during group time, please bring them to the facilitator so they can be addressed as soon as possible.
The group facilitator’s work mobile is only accessed Monday - Thursday, 9am-5pm. The mobile is used to contact Diversity Group members about meetings and activities. Only contact the facilitators work mobile in response to the facilitator or for matters relating to Diversity Group. The mobile is not to be contacted in emergency or crisis situations (see below for these contact numbers).
Please be respectful of others who have sensory issues.
Problem Solving & Dispute Resolution
Any complaint, unresolved problem or serious dispute that involves Diversity Group members is to be brought to the Diversity Group facilitator for resolution. If appropriate, and with the agreement of all parties, the matter may involve a mediation process. A range of mediation options will be made available.
headspace Bendigo reserves the right to exclude any young person if headspace Bendigo believes the young person has acted inappropriately (this may include violence/fighting, verbal abuse, bringing down the name of the group or headspace Bendigo, causing other group members to feel distressed, etc.). If such steps are taken, the member’s participation with Diversity Group will be reassessed with their consultation and may mean a predetermined timeframe of exclusion from the group or immediate expulsion.
Care and Support for Diversity Group Members
headspace Bendigo promotes early intervention and help-seeking for mental health and drug and alcohol issues. It is therefore expected, that as a representative of headspace Bendigo, you acknowledge this and you yourself seek appropriate supports when required. Therefore, if at any time you feel you need to take a break, seek help or support then headspace Bendigo will respect this.
It is important if you (or another group member) are feeling mentally unwell or are in a crisis situation and believe that you are at risk to yourself or others, that you contact a trusted adult or an appropriate support service to get the right help. These services and their contact details are listed below:
Regional Triage/Psychiatric Services (24/7)– 1300 363 788
Police or Ambulance (24/7 and complete welfare checks or transport to hospital)– 000
Lifeline (24/7)– lifeline.org.au or 13 11 14
Kids Helpline (24/7)– kidshelp.org.au or 1800 55 1800
eheadspace (7 days, 9am-1am)– eheadspace.org.au or 1800 650 890
Qheadspace- online
Rainbow Door- rainbowdoor.org.au or 1800 729 367
headspace Bendigo– 5406 1400
I have read the information contained in this document and agree to abide by the Diversity Group Code of Conduct.
