Women supporting women to be their best

The latest data from the Victorian Women’s Health Atlas shows persistent high rates of family violence perpetrated against women in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula, and higher rates of poverty compared with women in the rest of Victoria. Kit McMahon, chair of Women’s Spirit Project, says: “There’s an ongoing need for support to address women’s health and well-being in this region.”

Women’s Spirit Project founder Jodie Belyea has seen first hand the impact of the pandemic on support services particularly for vulnerable women living in poverty and experiencing domestic violence, addiction, or mental health issues. “We know the community sector supporting vulnerable women is bulging under unmet demand,” Jodie says. “Women’s Spirit Project offers programs that complement existing services.”

One program is The Spirit of Transformation, a 13-week holistic fitness, health, and well-being program for women by women with lived experience. “What we offer isn’t rocket science, but the supportive environment we create helps these women feel normal and restores their confidence to transform their lives.”

The first intake of participants happened in March 2021 in Frankston. One participant said: “I’ve had the courage to apply for a job after seven years and have successfully secured the role that fits around my commitments as a single mum.”

Women’s Spirit Project has a bold vision to raise $1 million over three years to make its programs widely accessible to disadvantaged women in the community. It’s kicking off its campaign to raise $150,000 to deliver its Spirit of Transformation program on the Mornington Peninsula in 2023.

On Friday, October 21, The Spirit of Transformation launch appeal will be held at Blairgowrie Yacht Club. A two-course lunch will be served, a documentary about the program will be shown and previous participants will share inspirational stories about how they have transformed their lives through being part of Women’s Spirit Project. Stories such as this: “It took some time however I have finally recovered my capacity to trust, a little more, and smile. This was missing due to experiences of severe family violence and being very isolated with no supports. This program has enabled me to reach out for help and get the supports I need to be able to deal with the trauma of family violence.”

Tickets are $70 a person or $650 for a table of 10.

Another way you can support Women’s Spirit Project is by taking part in its Frank to Schanck walk in November. The 60km walk over three days is open to women who are part of the wider community. There are options to walk shorter segments of the course. There’s a registration fee to participate and money raised goes towards continuing the work of Women’s Spirit Project.

To learn more about Women’s Spirit Project or to get behind its fundraising mission, visit www. womensspiritproject.org