INEQUITY is growing faster than ever in Bendigo, and something needs to be done.
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That was the conclusion from Bendigo Community Health Services, which will place an increased focus on ending the cycle of poverty over the next three years – starting with children.
The services will target at-risk children in the community, hoping to make services more accessible to reduce risk factors that can lead to lives of disadvantage.
Research has shown those growing up in low socioeconomic areas in Bendigo were at greater risk of failing to complete schooling, struggling to find work, developing drug, alcohol and health problems, and crime.
Children who experience family violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and mental health concerns early in life were more likely to struggle with their schooling.
These factors can lead to disadvantage, but BCHS wants to get in as early as possible.
BCHS chief executive officer Kim Sykes said supporting children early in life was the best way to improve outcomes.
“The research is clear - if you live in a lower socio-economic area, the greater the chance of poor health outcomes,” she said.
“We don’t accept that, just by sheer luck, where someone is born should have a significant influence of a person’s entire life journey.
“The most effective way to stop this from happening is at the beginning of life - getting in early.”
BCHS released its strategic directions for 2016 to 2019 on Tuesday evening, outlining a plan to make family and childhood services easier than ever to access.
The plan includes being as open as possible to parents, and having all childhood services in the one place.
The kidzspace project will also be a major part of the plan to end the cycle of poverty.
Ms Sykes said their new approach had drawn on BCHS’s long history of providing crucial services to disadvantaged people in Bendigo.
“We’re starting to find that the grandchildren of people we have are in need of their own support. This points to that generational cycle of poverty in Bendigo,” she said.
A better future for Bendigo’s disadvantaged children
Brringing all childhood services together in one place will form the basis of BCHS’s attempt to stop intergenerational poverty in Bendigo.
Kidzspace, to be based at BCHS in Kangaroo Flat, will provide medical, allied health and welfare programs to the parents of at-risk children in Benidgo.
Educational toys will also be available in an attempt to give all children an equal start to life.
The first step, though, is to seek help when needed.
Kim Sykes said sometimes it was tough for people to admit they need help, but having all services together would mean children have a greater chance of growing up in safer environments.
“Pride is also a factor. A lot of people feel responsible, and want to do it all for themselves without seeking support – but the help is there,” she said.
Users of BCHS could also help in staff appointments – another initiative to make the service as user-friendly as possible.
For more information, visit www.bchs.com.au