Bendigo Community Health Services

20/10/2026

19/10/2026

❗ Listening to Tarang Chawla speak is an event not to be missed!

Hear Tarang share his powerful and inspiring message of peace and equality, and explore how we can create change within our communities, relationships and families to help end violence against women and children.

📅 Friday 11 December
🕠 5:30pm - 6:30pm
📍 Goldfields Libraries, Bendigo Library
Free event, but bookings are essential

Click the link to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/tarang-chawla-a-call-for-peace-and-equality-tickets-2003380340528?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demo0dntkr1i&fbclid=IwY2xjawVCenpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMVpnaWpQaURleU93bHFkU1NzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeulyE9sW0kL_BoYc_Hu5_C7wmeii-CL7j7tPxbEznLM7yNnWIyHsKktf_B44_aem_l7Y5teiUIZ7j8tbgCShWQA

Tarang Chawla brings his powerful call against violence to Bendigo, at a time when it’s never been more important to hear.

Tarang is the co-founder of Not One More Niki, a campaign to end violence against women and children, named in honour of his younger sister, who was murdered in 2015.

He is an inspiring speaker on a mission to affect change within communities, relationships and families. His story is unforgettable, as is his message for peace and equality.

We gratefully acknowledge funding support from City of Greater Bendigo.

Booking link in comments 👇🏾

16/10/2026

For our InRoads team, even the smallest donation can have a big impact 💚

InRoads is a trauma-informed, low-barrier model of care designed to improve health care access for those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

“My catch phrase at the moment is ‘gain and maintain access to health’,” says InRoads Senior Program Lead Clare Woods. “When you’re experiencing homelessness, food and shelter becomes your main priority, and health is - well accessing health is complicated.”

The team provides support in a range of ways, one of which is attending appointments with clients. This seemingly small act has consistently been praised, with many emphasising the benefits of having someone you can trust will advocate for you during vulnerable moments.

But this program, like others at BCHS, relies on funding which often includes a tight budget and strict parameters.

“A donation of just $5 would allow us to buy someone a cup of coffee or a bite to eat before attending an appointment,” says Clare.

“$50 could pay for vital medication, $200 could help equip our Community Paramedic Practitioner with medical supplies to provide healthcare out in the community”.

This month, we’re raising awareness of our not-for-profit status, and ask you to please consider making a donation, no matter how big or small, to our Givetober Appeal.

Together we can make great things happen.

Donate today: https://tinyurl.com/givetober

15/10/2026

👣 It's Podiatry Week 2026!

Your feet do more than you think. And so do podiatrists.

More than just looking after nails and calluses, podiatrists are registered health professionals who help with everything from sports injuries and diabetes-related foot care to children's growing feet, arthritis, biomechanics and mobility in older age.

This week, we're celebrating the profession and the amazing team of podiatrists here at BCHS! 💚

🔗Visit our website to find out more about our podiatry services 👉https://tinyurl.com/BCHSpodiatry

15/10/2026

Today we welcome Victorian Labor's election commitment to remove out-of-pocket costs for abortion care. It is an important step towards ensuring women can access essential healthcare, regardless of their circumstances or where they live.

CEO Mandy Hutchinson says access to safe, timely and affordable abortion care was fundamental to women's health and their right to make decisions about their own bodies.

“We wholeheartedly believe that abortion care is healthcare,” Mandy said.

“But more than that, it’s about women having a choice. And when that choice has to be made, it’s about receiving excellent care in a timely, safe and supportive environment that’s close to home.

“Removing the financial barriers to abortion care is significant. No woman should have her healthcare choices determined by her ability to pay or where she lives.”

Read more 👉 https://bchs.com.au/bendigo-community-health-services-welcomes-abortion-care-commitment/

💚 We support Women's Health Loddon Mallee's call for Fair Access Wherever You Live campaign. To learn more about the campaign and what we're calling for visit https://whlm.org.au/fair-access-wherever-you-live/

14/10/2026

It's Allied Health Professions Day 🎉 and to mark it we sat down with art therapy student Chelsea Petersen, who's brought art therapy groups back to Kangaroo Flat for a 10-week program.

Art therapy is about process and reflection, not perfection, Chelsea told us. And if you’re thinking, ‘I’m not creative it’s not for me,’ she has advice for you.

Click the link 👇 to find out what it is.
https://tinyurl.com/49kesu6c

Sending a huge thank you out to the allied health staff here at BCHS for the difference you make in the lives of our clients! 💚

12/10/2026

Shout out to Thomas Prince - Lake Weeroona Ward - Greater Bendigo for sharing our new, free community resource Let's Get Moving :)

Thank you for the support! 🙏

We're wondering, have you picked up a copy yet? Where has it encouraged you to visit? Comment below 👇 and let us know.

Want a copy?

📑 Order your free hard copy 👉 here https://tinyurl.com/ybvj2nyp

🏃‍♀️ Looking for a new way to get active in Greater Bendigo? 🚶‍♂️🚴‍♀️

Bendigo Community Health Services has released a fantastic new resource called "Let's Get Moving" that helps connect people with opportunities to be active, social and involved in our community.

And it's about much more than exercise. 💙

Being active can improve physical and mental wellbeing, help build social connections, reduce loneliness, boost confidence and create a stronger sense of belonging.

The guide brings together information on:
✅ Parks, reserves and open spaces
✅ Walking and cycling opportunities
✅ Playgrounds and pools
✅ Sporting clubs and recreation groups
✅ Free and low-cost activities
✅ Community organisations and local businesses

It also includes practical tools such as goal-setting templates, weekly activity planners and information about why movement is important at every stage of life.

One of the things I like most about this resource is that it recognises that getting active looks different for everyone. Whether you're joining a sporting club, taking a walk around your neighbourhood, exploring a local trail, meeting people through a community group, or simply looking for a free activity close to home, every little bit counts. 🌳🚶‍♀️🚴‍♂️🏀

You can view the guide online here: 📖 https://tinyurl.com/5cpyamrh

I'd be interested to hear from locals: what's your favourite place, activity or group in Greater Bendigo that helps keep you active and connected? 👇😊

12/10/2026

It's Givetober here at BCHS! 🎉 💚

As a not-for-profit organisation, we rely on government funding, sponsorships and, of course, donations.

Did you know that you can donate to us?

☕ As little as $5 will buy someone experiencing homelessness a cup of coffee.
🍞 $50 will buy essential supplies for emergency food hampers given out by our Family Services team.
👕 $100 will provide a newly-arrived refugee family with basic items like bedding, clothing and other essential items.

All donations made are tax deductible and go straight back into our programs and services.

This Givetober your generosity could change lives in our community, please share this post and consider donating what you can. 🙏

Together 🤝 we can make great things happen. 💚
Donate today: https://tinyurl.com/givetober

09/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day, a day to remind us to check in with ourselves and others.

A healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body for your overall wellbeing. Like physical fitness, you can strengthen your psychological health every day in small ways 💪

As part of our '5 Ways to Wellbeing' program, we designed a Mental Health Month calendar to help you find activities to support your mental wellbeing!

What's next?
💚Visit our website for information, resources and to download the Mental Health Month calendar: https://tinyurl.com/sipconnectreflect
💚Choose 2 (or more!) activities from the calendar to support your mental wellbeing
💚Grab your free hardcopy Mental Health Month calendar and '5 Ways to Wellbeing' booklet from a BCHS site throughout October (Mon-Fri)