Services for Men in the Penrith Local Government Area by Men's Health Information and Resource Centre

Services for Men

Penrith Local Government Area

Published by Penrith City Council Design by Milk Thieves Art & Design Printed by Penrith City Council Disclaimer The information contained herein is believed to be reliable and accurate. However, no guarantee is given as to its accuracy or reliability, and no responsibility or liability for any information, opinions or commentary contained herein, or for any consequences of its use, will be accepted by Argyle Research P/L, Penrith City Council or by any person involved in the preparation of this report. Prepared for Penrith City Council by Argyle Research P/L With the assistance of the Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Information and Resource Centre, University of Western Sydney. Image Credits africa, Ambro, Susie B, Avrind Balaraman, Suat Eman, healingdream, kroatmember, Kate Lane, Graur Razvan Ionut, Fredrico Stevanin, Salvatore Vuono,

Statement of Recognition of Penrith Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Council values the unique status of Aboriginal people as the original owners and custodians of lands and waters, including the land and waters of Penrith City. Council values the unique status of Torres Strait Islander people as the original owners and custodians of the Torres Strait Islands and surrounding waters. We work together for a united Australia and City that respects this land of ours, that values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage, and provides justice and equity for all.

contents Executive Summary

1. Introduction

2. Background - Male Access to Services

Introduction

Individual barriers

Social group barriers

Service barriers

3. Demographics

Introduction

Population

Age groups

Work and education

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men

Men from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds

Locational disadvantage

4. Consultation

Services strengths â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Penrith LGA

Key service gaps for men

Service gaps for male population groups

5. Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Services Action Plan - Penrith LGA

executive summary The key service gaps for men identified within the Penrith LGA are: • A designated ‘men’s space’ (such as a Men’s Shed) • Accommodation/housing for men at risk, sometimes due to a relationship breakdown • Preventative health services for men • Longer term support services for men at risk

This report examines service provision for men within the Penrith LGA. It identifies key gaps in service provision and identifies opportunities to improve services for men. The report was commissioned by Penrith City Council as part of its commitment to contributing to gender equity in service delivery across the LGA. This stance does not place the needs of one gender over the other, but recognises that each gender has unique needs and challenges, and that different approaches will be needed to make services accessible to both men and women.

Within the male population there are groups who have specific needs for services and support. These groups can require additional services or that existing services adapt to better accommodate their diversity and needs. The report identified that men at risk (including homeless men), separated fathers, refugee men and some Aboriginal men need additional services and support. Men with a disability and men of diverse sexualities would particularly benefit from existing services becoming more accommodating of men and masculine diversity.

Research shows that men can face barriers to accessing services. These barriers may be a consequence of the way services are delivered, for example, a lack of ‘after hours’ service or a service environment that men find unwelcoming. Men from particular social groups can also face problems in accessing services due to language, cultural differences, sexuality or economic disadvantage. At an individual level, masculine strengths such as independence and self reliance can sometimes hinder men from seeking the services they need.

The report makes the following recommendations: 1. Promote programs that educate men on their health and improve their general well being 2. Improve access to existing programs and services for men in the Penrith community 3. Foster the establishment of further programs and services for Men in the Penrith community 4. Raise awareness of critical issues relating to accommodation for Men in the Penrith LGA

Approximately half the population of Penrith is male. This population tends to be younger and less culturally diverse than other parts of Sydney. Most of the adult male population are employed full time and tend to work longer hours than women. Male workers are concentrated in technical and trades occupations and as machinery operators and labourers. There is a small but significant Aboriginal population. The culturally and linguistically diverse population is around 13%, including numbers of Sudanese refugees.

More detail on these recommendations is provided in the mini services action plan in this report.

Information for this report was obtained from stakeholders across a range of service types. It should be noted that the study was of limited scope and did not include direct consultation with men. 7

introduction The challenges men face mean that they need dedicated or additional services, and, at least, access to generic health and community services. However, when it comes to accessing services to prevent or address problems, men can face considerable barriers. Work hours can, for example, make it difficult to get to the doctor. Counselling and other services may not be readily available at the times men need them. Also, men may not be aware of what services exist, or they can seem unfamiliar or ‘feminised’ - where most of the staff are women and the settings are not very welcoming for men 1v. Masculine traits such as independence and self reliance are strengths, but can also impede men’s access to services, for example, meaning that they do not tend to seek help unless in crisis v, vi.

This report discusses the provision of services for men within the Penrith LGA. It aims to provide information that can assist service providers in improving services to local male residents and workers. Penrith City Council has commissioned this report as part of its commitment to gender equity in service provision. This stance does not place the needs of one gender over the other, but recognises that each gender has unique needs and challenges, and that different approaches will be needed to make services accessible to both men and women i. In recent years men have become a policy focus at both national and state level. For example, both the National Men’s Health Policy ii and the NSW Men’s Health Plan 2009-2012 iii, examine the specific health and well being needs of men generally and of males from particular social groups.

It should be noted that this is a focused study that aimed to identify key service issues for men in Penrith LGA rather than a comprehensive needs analysis. Interviews were held with a number of service providers from a range of services types. These interviews sought to identify gaps in provision of services for men, and opportunities to improve services, including available resources and advocacy and partnership activities. Whilst we are confident the most prominent issues emerged, we recognise that some challenges faced by local men may not have been captured by this limited study.

The research undertaken for these policies clearly shows that men experience particular challenges because they are men. There are, for instance, certain diseases suffered only by men, such as prostate cancer or testicular cancer. Other diseases are experienced at a higher rate compared to women, including lung cancer, melanoma and heart disease. The impact of certain life crises and transitions can have different impacts on men. These crises and transitions include relationship breakdown, unemployment and retirement. Australian men are also at substantially higher risk of suicide, with 80% of suicide victims being male. Certain groups of men also face particular disadvantage, including Aboriginal men, refugee men, separated men, ex prisoners and youth at risk.

background

male access to services

A more helpful line is to try and understand typical male help seeking behaviour. Men tend to value the strengths of independence, self reliance and coping. As such they like to take care of themselves, do not like to be seen as weak and so can be reluctant to ask for help ix. Understanding these masculine values can help service providers recognise that men will tend to interact differently with services, and that services can be adapted to be more accessible to men.

Introduction Men can experience difficulties in accessing services for a number of different reasons. This section discusses the types of barriers men typically experience when they need services. These barriers can be divided into three broad categories: • Individual barriers – these are barriers relating to individual men’s knowledge, education, attitudes and work patterns. • Social group barriers – these barriers can be created by a man’s cultural background, socio-economic background, age or disability. • Service related barriers – these are barriers that men face in accessing services due to the location of services and the ways in which services are delivered.

Also, at an individual level, men may not access services because they do not know what services exist, are not aware they have a problem or simply because they do not have the time to access a service. These kinds of barriers can also be overcome by services, but can require using different communication methods, developing screening services for men and adapting service provision.

Individual barriers It has been said that men are reluctant to use services – or will not use them until they reach crisis vii. In the past, the reluctance of men to use services has sometimes led to ‘man blaming’ – that is, suggesting it is a man’s fault if he does not seek help. Increasingly, blaming the man is understood as not at all useful in encouraging men to use services viii.

It is also useful to note that men often access services indirectly through the support of a female partner or carer, for example, women may make appointments or encouraging their partner to ‘see someone’. For this reason, improving services to men can also include providing better information to women about the kinds of issues men face and effective ways of encouraging their male partners or relatives to care for themselves.

One of the key service barriers is consulting hours and waiting times. Men in full time employment often find it difficult to attend appointments during business hours. Men who are commuting long distances to employment are further disadvantaged as they spend the hours either side of work in their cars or on public transport. The expectation of waiting for long periods of time to see a doctor or counsellor is also a substantial deterrent to accessing services xii.

Social group barriers Social factors can both increase the need for services and make services more difficult to access. For example, refugee men, men with a disability or Aboriginal men all tend to have a higher need for services than men from the general population. Men from these groups can need services from across a range of sectors including health, employment and social support. The combination of social factors and male gender can sometimes create quite intense challenges for men. Some Aboriginal men, for example, have been substantially affected by the loss of a clear cultural role and identity within their communities x. Also, for refugee men, the change in status from leading and supporting their families to accepting social support can potentially undermine identity and self esteem. The service needs of particular social groups of men within Penrith LGA are discussed below.

The location of services can also create service barriers for men who are employed outside of the main shopping and service centres and for those without transport. The community service sector has a female dominated workforce, most particularly aged and disability care services xiii. Men who may need to use these services may feel uncomfortable requesting personal care services. In relation to community based activities and day programs, men tend to prefer different environments and activities to women, for instance preferring unstructured social activities with other men, or activities related to sport, technical interests or with a competitive element. This means that programs involving domestic handicrafts or other activities dominated by women are unlikely to interest men.

Service barriers Community and health services can inadvertently discourage males from using services. Whilst this is certainly not a deliberate policy of service agencies, there are characteristics of the way services are commonly delivered that can make access for men difficult or men reluctant to use the service xi. 11

demographics

Introduction This section outlines the demographics of males within the Penrith LGA. It also identifies the main issues affecting different social groups of men, and outlines the typical barriers men can experience in accessing services.

Population Chart 1. Population by gender â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Penrith LGA

In 2006 the population of Penrith LGA was 172,140. Males comprise just under half (49.5%) the population. General population figures do not reveal much information about possible need for services by gender, given the population of Penrith LGA is almost equally composed of males and females. A more useful understanding of the possible need for services by men can be gained by examining the demographic differences across the male population.

Table 1.Population by gender - Penrith LGA GENDER Males Females

Source: ABS 2006 Census

TOTAL 85,267 86,873

Age groups The Penrith LGA has a relatively young population, with a median age of 32, as compared to the Australian median of 37 years xiv. This is reflected in proportionately higher numbers of children aged under 15, and lower proportions of people aged 65 years and older (see opposite for male population figures).

Chart 2. Male population by age - Penrith LGA

Table 2. Male population by age - Penrith LGA AGE GROUPS 0 - 9 years 10 - 19 years 20 - 29 years 30 - 39 years 40 - 49 years 50 - 59 years 60 - 69 years 70 - 79 years 80 years + TOTAL

Source: ABS 2006 Census

MALES 13,323 13,618 13,043 12,638 12,092 11,005 5,645 2,720 1,181 85,265

Service needs vary across age groups, for example, it can be expected that service needs will tend to be highest for young men in transition and for older men experiencing the effects of ageing. The kinds of issues young men can face include entering employment and training, drug and alcohol issues, sexual health issues and risk taking behaviour. For older men, the transition to retirement can present challenges. Also, when older men need assistance (for example, home care) they can face barriers due to unfamiliarity with services and a poor fit between masculine identity and the way aged care services are delivered xv. Examining the age distribution of males in Penrith LGA, it is evident that there is a relatively large young male population aged under thirty and a comparatively small male retired population. Given the numbers of young men in the LGA, it can be expected that there will be a significant demand for services that assist in making the transition to adulthood. Given the ageing of the Australian population xvi will mean that the number of older men in Penrith can be expected to increase.

Work and education Male work patterns differ from female work patterns. This difference is clearly evident in the Penrith LGA, with men being concentrated in trades and as machinery operators, drivers and labourers (Chart 3). Men are also more likely to be working full time and work longer hours (Chart 4). Unemployment in Penrith LGA is close to the national average at 5.3% xvii, although men have higher rates of unemployment than women xviii. Also, particular groups of men are more vulnerable to unemployment, including Aboriginal and refugee men.

Chart 3. Employment categories - Penrith LGA

Source: ABS 2006 Census

Chart 4. Hours worked per week - Penrith LGA

Source: ABS 2006 Census

Male qualification patterns also differ from females (Chart 5). They have far higher levels of certificate qualifications, but significantly less qualifications at diploma and above level. This pattern reflects the tendency for men to acquire qualifications during the course of their work.

For Aboriginal men there is also a critical issue relating to loss of culture and identity. Traditional leadership roles are no longer available in suburban life. Also, key service roles to the Aboriginal community, such as in health, housing and welfare, reportedly tend to be taken by women. This can leave Aboriginal men feeling displaced and without a role of value.

Chart 5. Educational qualifications - Penrith LGA

Men from culturally and linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds A culturally and linguistically diverse background can be an advantage or a disadvantage in accessing services. For some CALD men, strong connections to their cultural community help provide access to services, for others, poor English and lack of knowledge about the Australian system of human and health services can create barriers to access xxi. In the Penrith LGA 12.5% of the population are from non English speaking backgrounds, compared to 23% in the greater Sydney region xxii. Refugees from Southern Sudan have recently begun to settle in Penrith, and men from these backgrounds can have high support needs. Further information is provided in Section 4 of this report.

Source: ABS 2006 Census

There are a number of implications for the gendered patterns of work and qualifications. Men are concentrated in occupations where risk of work related injury is higher and where physical problems can more readily interfere with employment (e.g. back injuries). Longer working hours mean accessing services is more difficult, unless after hours services are offered. Men are also more likely to be working away from service centres (such as on site or in industrial areas) also increasing access difficulties. In terms of educational qualifications, it can also mean that men can be more vulnerable to unemployment during downturns in the economy.

Locational disadvantage It is also important to note that men’s access to services can be affected by a combination of location and socioeconomic disadvantage. The ‘Penrith Central Research Project’ found that a high number of residents did not “have access to sustainable or adequate services within their local community.” xxiii Also, for locations distant from centralised services, access can be difficult for men without cars or who have mobility difficulties.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men There are approximately 2000 men who identify as being Aboriginal in the Penrith LGA xix. Aboriginal men can be one of the most vulnerable groups in the community. The risks include unemployment, risk of imprisonment, family breakdown and drug and alcohol problems. Aboriginal male unemployment in Penrith is 14.5%, compared to 5.1% for men in Penrith generally xx. 15

consultation

The consultation involved sixteen different agencies, including those that operate services for men or primarily for men within the Penrith LGA, and also other services and centres with an interest in men’s issues (see Table 3 below for the list of agencies consulted). Service providers were asked to identify strengths in service provision, the service needs of men and particular groups of men, and ways of improving services to men, including partnership and advocacy opportunities. They were also asked about ways in which Penrith Council could support services to work more effectively with men within current resourcing constraints. The findings from the consultation form the basis for the Action Plan in Section 5 of this report.

Table 3. Stakeholders included in consultation STAKEHOLDERS ACON

Nepean Youth Accommodation Service

Anglicare Fathers’ Support Service

Relationships Australia

Brighter Futures Nepean Burnside “Newpin” Fathers Centre

South Penrith Youth and Neighbourhood Services (SPYNS) Sydney West Area Health Service: Men’s health program coordinator

Dads in Distress

TAFE

Men’s Health and Information and Resource Centre, UWS

The Warehouse Penrith

Mt Druitt Aboriginal Men’s Shed

Western Sydney Men and Family Relationships Network

Nepean Multicultural Access Project

Penrith City Council

workers we spoke with mentioned having good working relationships with Council. There is, in addition, a highly developed system of interagencies, with services from particular sectors (including youth, CALD services and disability services) meeting regularly. This kind of systemic cooperation provides an excellent basis for disseminating information about ‘men friendly services’ or promoting initiatives for men such as a Men’s Shed or a health screening program.

Services strengths – Penrith LGA The consultation identified a number of relevant strengths of the services system within the Penrith LGA. These strengths can potentially provide a basis from which to address service gaps for men. First, there is a general awareness within Penrith based services that particular groups of men have a higher need for services, particularly men at risk, separated men and men from minority groups. Service providers are also aware that generic services such as health, education or community services may need to be adapted to be more accessible and welcoming to men. In this sense, services are likely to be receptive to proposals and information that will assist in improving services to men.

Key service gaps for men The consultation identified four major gaps in services to men particular to the Penrith LGA. These are: • A designated gathering space for men (such as a Men’s Shed) • Accommodation/housing for men at risk (such as following a relationship breakdown)

Within Penrith there is clearly a high level of cooperation and information sharing between services. Penrith City Council has a number of formal and informal partnerships with agencies within the LGA. Several agency

• Preventative health services for men (such as health screening) • Longer term support services for men at risk (such as ongoing case management)

Social gathering space for men A number of stakeholders indicated that there is a strong need for a space in Penrith where men from different backgrounds can meet and participate in activities. Whilst there are some private organisations and specialised clubs that offer meeting space for men and male activities, there is currently no specific community space inclusive of a wide range of men (such as a men’s shed).

Accommodation/housing for men There is a severe lack of appropriate housing for the following groups: • Young men at risk. Service providers have found that young men in need of housing are usually placed at the bottom of the priority list for public or community housing. According to one youth accommodation provider: “mums with kids always get priority for housing – rightly so, but for young men who are homeless there is nowhere for them to go for more than the very short term.”

The consultation found that there is wide ranging support from services for establishing a men’s shed, and also from the community: e.g. “At the recent Baby Boomers’ Expo (in Penrith) there were numerous enquiries for a Men’s Shed in Penrith.”

• Men experiencing relationship breakdown. For adult men, a relationship breakdown can create sudden housing problems. Stakeholders reported that this group of men are particularly in need of support to find secure accommodation. Following a break up, it is usually the man who leaves the family home and it is reportedly often difficult for these men to find suitable private rental accommodation, particularly if the man is a father and has part custody of his children. Men can also struggle financially post separation, if they are both contributing significantly to child support and trying to establish a separate household.

In recent years, men’s sheds have been established all over Australia. These sites are usually set up by groups of men, sometimes in partnership with local NGOs and with the support of local councils. The focus can vary widely, depending on the interest of the men involved, but often involve mechanical, technical interests as well as social and volunteering activities. Men’s sheds can also provide the site for skills training and mentoring and leadership programs, where for example, older men mentor young men at risk.

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men who are living a transient lifestyle. Within the Penrith LGA there are a number of Aboriginal men who are visiting from rural areas or other LGAs, and/or have experienced relationship breakdown xxiv. These men are reportedly likely to be unemployed and receive a low priority for housing compared to women with children. They also need support to find secure low cost accommodation.

Preventative health services Preventative health services are increasingly being promoted as an efficient way of promoting well being and identifying health problems at an earlier stage. In the Penrith LGA there are barriers that mean men can find it difficult to access preventative health care. â&#x20AC;˘ Reprioritisation of health funding objectives in recent years has, according to stakeholders, led to health care services tending to focus available resources more on acute health problems and medical care. Particular needs for menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preventative health care and health promotion was noted for the following issues: health behaviours, healthy emotional development and sexual health. â&#x20AC;˘ Men in Penrith are mostly involved in full time work, with many also working on Saturdays. These men can find it particularly difficult to access preventative health services due to the demands and sometimes isolated location of their work.

Long term support for men at risk Men at risk can find it hard to obtain longer term support to address complex needs. According to service providers, men in crisis can usually find some type of immediate counselling or emergency support. However, ongoing support, such as integrated case management, is difficult to locate. Offering longer term support is reportedly a substantial challenge because services are not well resourced to provide this.

Men who are fathers For fathers who are experiencing the normal challenges of parenting, there are generally good services in Penrith. Service providers report that information about ‘being a dad’ is readily available, and for men seeking playgroups, ‘dad and kid events’ or parenting courses, there are sufficient options. One reported difficulty for dads accessing services is that many work Saturdays and/or extended hours so can find it difficult to access services, or prefer to spend Sunday as a family day.

Service gaps for male population groups In addition to the service gaps for men generally, a number of service issues emerged for particular groups of men within the Penrith LGA.

Men at risk By definition, ‘men at risk’ have higher support needs than other groups of men. Being ‘at risk’ means that these men can struggle to live stable lives and are more susceptible to a whole range of problems, including mental illness, substance abuse, assault and involvement in criminal activity. Within the Penrith LGA the main groups of men who have been identified to be ‘at risk’ are: • Young men, unemployed and no longer living at home • Men who have left the criminal justice system • Men who are experiencing homelessness

The main challenges that men can face as fathers mostly occur as a consequence of relationship breakdown. Separation, divorce, shared parenting or being a single dad can all create a need for support services, and, in some instances, crisis interventions. Housing for separated fathers was noted as a key issue (see above). Frequently they leave the family home and can struggle to find suitable accommodation close to their children. Another issue facing separated fathers is accessing longer term support to help adjust to living as a separated parent and the challenges of shared parenting. Low cost counselling can be hard to access and some men will avoid services that look like charities or for people in extreme crisis.

Men from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds Penrith has a significant culturally and linguistically diverse community (CALD) which forms about 12.5% of the population, including numbers of Sudanese refugees. For established CALD residents there is generally reasonable access to social and community support structures. Service providers report that the main CALD male groups who can experience problems accessing services are refugees and older CALD men.

Men with disability People with disability and their carers generally struggle to find sufficient support services. The main ‘gendered issue’ reported for men with disability were that of services and activities being ‘male friendly’ and of male interest. That is, like older men, men with disability can find that services are oriented to the interests of women and are delivered in feminised environments. It was noted that young men with an intellectual disability can lack opportunities for vigorous physical activity.

Penrith is a settlement site for refugees from the Southern Sudanese community. It was noted above that refugees can face difficulties accessing services due to language difficulties and a lack of understanding and expectations about services. These barriers have been observed in Penrith. Refugee men are at times not accessing services because they do not know they exist, or are not familiar with a culture where social services are provided. It was noted that good information and encouragement can readily overcome these barriers to service access.

Men of diverse sexualities Local health and community services report that there is a large and growing community of gay and bisexual men who live and work in the Penrith LGA. There are a number of well utilised services, support groups, social groups and social networking websites for gay men in western Sydney. However, the increasing number of gay people, of all ages and family forms in the LGA will mean that local health and community services will need to respond to the needs of this group.

For older men from CALD backgrounds, accessing home care and community activities can be difficult xxv. The general reluctance of older men to ask for help from services can be exacerbated if a man is from a CALD background – the services can seem unfamiliar, threatening or culturally inappropriate (for example, it is not appropriate in some cultures for unrelated women to provide personal assistance to men).

Whilst Penrith LGA is becoming a more open and amicable place for men from diverse sexualities, there are still serious issues and concerns. Young gay men reported experiencing homophobia xxvi, threats of violence and in some cases actual violence when travelling on public transport xxvii. It was also reported that gay fathers can experience difficulties around levels of support and acceptance from family services, including day care centres and schools xxviii. Similarly, in regard to aged care, there is growing evidence that both community and residential services could improve their response to the care and social needs of older gay men xxix.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men Whilst many Aboriginal men in Penrith are having similar experiences to men in the general population in terms of employment, wellbeing and family life, others are clearly facing serious challenges. Research shows that these challenges can include loss of culture and identity, unemployment, risk of imprisonment, family breakdown, homelessness and drug and alcohol problems. Assisting Aboriginal men to address these kinds of complex long term issues is the concern of a number of agencies within the Penrith LGA and beyond. 21

men’s services action plan Penrith LGA

This report has identified the main issues for men accessing services in the Penrith LGA, including identifying key services gaps and barriers to access for men generally and for different groups of men. Improving access to services will involve developing effective ways of increasing service availability and of making services more accommodating to respond to the particular service needs of men. Clearly, some needs for services are more pressing than others, and some needs are more readily addressed than others. Penrith City Council is not a provider of community services, but rather, works to support service providers, identify funding and partnership opportunities and advocate as appropriate. Given these constraints, in the Men’s Services Action Plan which follows, actions have been identified and prioritised on the basis of: • a strongly identified need,

• the will and capacity to work with the problem, including community partners, and • availability of resourcing.

PRIORITY 1. Promote programs that educate Men on their health and improve their general well being

Actions 1. 1 Support local health providers to improve preventative health screening to men in the Penrith LGA. For example working in collaboration with the Penrith NAIDOC organising committee to continue inviting services that provide ‘Pit Stop’ style health checks at annual NAIDOC events. 1.2 Support Men’s events and activities that promote positive health behaviours such as Men’s Health Week and assist in distributing existing Men specific resources at interagency networks.

2.1 Update Council Community Services Directory regularly to 2. Improve access to existing programs and services for Men in ensure the information on men’s services is up to date. the Penrith community 2.2 Support the initiative of Western Sydney Men and Family Relationships Network (WSMFRN) in developing a Western Sydney Blokes Book that highlights and promotes services for men such as Men-friendly GP’s and low cost counselling services. 2.3 Support the initiatives undertaken by the Men’s Health Information Resource Centre (MHIRC) and WSMFRN to educate local service providers on effective ways of engaging men and making their services more male-friendly 2.4 Support community organisations that provide services to men at risk and key male target groups: a.

Fathers experiencing relationship breakdown

Aboriginal men

b. d. e.

Refugee men

Men with disability

Men at risk [including ex prisoners, the homeless, young men]

3.1 In partnership with other service providers and men’s 3. Foster the establishment of further programs and services for groups, host an initial meeting that investigates the feasibility of Men in the Penrith community establishing a Men’s Shed in the Penrith LGA. 3.2 Continue to advocate for an increase in male specific community services. This includes identifying funding opportunities relating to men’s services and promotes though relevant networks.

4. Raise awareness of critical 4.1 Continue to work in partnership with the Nepean issues relating to accommodation Homelessness Taskforce in developing a 10 year plan to for Men in the Penrith LGA address the accommodation needs of the community including men

RESOURCING Existing Resources

RESPONSIBILITY Penrith City Council Environmental Health Department (Healthy People Partnership Officer)

TIME FRAME Ongoing

Existing Resources