Delivering excellent, client-centred care and innovative community health programming
- We support people living with HIV to live fulfilled, healthy lives in which they are active members of their community.
- We ensure that our care and support services are of an excellent standard through ongoing needs assessment, co-design, inclusive marketing and ongoing evaluation.
- We ensure that our communities are actively and meaningfully included in our work and within our organisation.
- We seek to find better models of care and support for members of our communities that are left behind by current service provision, including the provision of support for young sexuality and gender diverse community members.
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We examine innovative ways to meet the health needs of our communities where they are at, including the establishment of an LGBT Health Centre.
Summary Highlights
LGBTQ Health
We’re here to help LGBTQ+ people in NSW take control of their health by providing information and a range of sexual health testing services, cancer awareness campaigns, workshops, as well as support services.
Now in its fourth year, our partnership with the Cancer Institute NSW continues to work to reduce the impact of cancer among LGBTQ+ communities in NSW. The partnership seeks to increase screening participation and reduce cancer risk among LGBTQ+ people through community engagement, targeted health promotion, and inclusive practice training for the cancer sector.
Highlights in 2022-2023 include:
- Building on the successful delivery of LGBTQ diversity and inclusion training for 785 Cancer Institute NSW, BreastScreen NSW and NSW Quitline staff, a new tailored module for cancer services was launched in January 2023 on Cancer Institute NSW’s e-learning platform. 106 people have completed the training with participants reporting high satisfaction with the training and confidence about being able to make practical changes in their practice to make it more inclusive.
- In partnership with Universal Pictures, we hosted in February a preview of the US film Spoiler Alert, a heart-warming, funny and life-affirming story of how a gay couple’s relationship is transformed and deepened when one of them receives a terminal cancer diagnosis. The event included a panel discussion with LGBTQ cancer patients and an oncologist.
- The BreastScreen NSW mobile van was back at Fair Day and, in partnership with BreastScreen NSW and Sydney Local Health District, we provided support for community members accessing the service. The van was booked out throughout the day, screening 27 people – most of whom were first-time screeners. We also distributed more than 1,500 CAN WE branded sunscreens across Sydney WorldPride events.
- We partnered with the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at UNSW to conduct a survey of alcohol-related behaviours, beliefs and knowledge regarding cancer risk related to alcohol. The study recruited over 1,400 people and concluded there is an opportunity and need to address harmful levels of alcohol consumption among LGBTQ+ adults to reduce alcohol-related health risks.
CAN WE, ACON’s dedicated cancer screening and prevention online resource designed specifically for sexuality and gender diverse communities, reached a milestone of 75,000 users by June 2023. Launched in 2021, CAN WE was developed in partnership with the Cancer Institute NSW to provide evidence-based information in an authentic and engaging LGBTQ voice.
Our social media presence on Facebook and Instagram continue to drive traffic to our website. We’ve reached 466,896 people on Facebook, growing by 53.7% since June 2022. CAN WE’s Instagram account has reached 249,152 people, a 144.9% increase since June 2022 and now has over 1,000 followers.
The option of self-collection became available for anybody participating in cervical screening from July 2022. This is a gamechanger, particularly for LGBTQ people with a cervix, because of unique barriers to screening such as negative past screening experience causing pain and discomfort, fear of penetration, and lack of culturally sensitive services for trans and gender diverse people.
To help promote this new option and put cervical screening back on people’s agendas, we developed a new cervical screening campaign, Own It. The campaign was designed to empower young women and people with a cervix between 25-35 years to make screening their own. The campaign featured experiences of diverse community members sharing their experiences with cervical screening and how they’ve overcome these barriers. This was the first time ACON has been commissioned to develop a cervical screening campaign inclusive of all sexualities and genders.
Own It has been ACON’s most successful cancer campaign to date, achieving nearly 300,000 video views and more than 44,000 visitors to the CAN WE website. Close to half of survey respondents recalled seeing the campaign, with 25-35 year olds and LGBTQ+ people more likely to recall the campaign. Over half of 25-35 year olds reported taking action after seeing the campaign, and 83% said they were motivated to screen when next due.
We hope the success of the Own It campaign will encourage other jurisdictions to run it. Family Planning Tasmania has already licensed it to run there, a first for a CAN WE campaign. Own It also showcases how inclusive campaigns can successfully communicate with a broad audience and achieve even better outcomes for LGBTQ+ people demonstrating equity approaches work.
ACON understands that while many people of diverse sexualities and genders are strong and resilient, when compared to the general population, we experience health inequalities that require specific responses.
We have seen governments take great steps forward over recent years, recognising equity must be a key focus in health.
In NSW, we welcomed the development of the State’s first LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy, and greater acknowledgement of our communities in many other health related Stategies including the NSW Cancer Plan, NSW Women’s Strategy and the NSW Regional Health Strategic Plan.
Against this backdrop, in 2022 ACON was particularly proud to receive funding from the NSW Government to help establish a community-led, integrated healthcare service for sexuality and gender diverse people in NSW.
The funding was granted through the NSW Ministry of Health after ACON had worked over six years to develop the model, build support from partners, and conduct a detailed feasibility study. With vital support from Sydney Local Health District and our other partners including St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney and Central Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network, we are making great progress toward establishing the service.
A multi-disciplinary, integrated health centre, designed specifically for LGBTQ+ people in NSW is a complex task and work to develop the model of care, clinical operations and governance has been a key focus. Alongside this, we are working toward securing a building and commencing planning for the fit-out; as well as working to develop the name and branding for the Centre.
This exciting and groundbreaking service is taking shape and we are working with our partners to bring the vision to life. ACON anticipate being able to share more details with our communities in the coming year.
This year marked significant milestones for ACON’s LGBTQ+ Women’s Health programs. We trained 25 LGBTQ+ women and
non-binary volunteer facilitators, developed a new sexual health resource, and initiated the development of two workshops for our communities – informed by three community consultation sessions attended by 50 community members. Additionally, we successfully organised and conducted monthly LBQ women’s packing groups throughout 2022-23.
During Sydney WorldPride, the LGBTQ+ Women’s Health program prioritised community engagement. We connected with 500 attendees at Minus18’s Queer Formal, and engaged with 600 community members at Fair Day through the LGBTQ+ Women’s Health stall and the BreastScreen NSW van. ACON’s LGBTQ+ Women’s Health programs was the sole community stall at UltraViolet, the premier event for LGBTQ+ women during WorldPride, and engaged with 300 community members.
ACON also partnered with Queer Screen to co-present a film at the Mardi Gras Film Festival, connecting with another 100 community members. On International Women’s Day, we collaborated with Belvoir St Theatre to host a special LGBTQ Women’s screening of Blessed Union, engaging with and welcoming the 400 attendees in the lobby. The event’s success has led to a partnership with Belvoir to host two additional ‘queer nights’ at the theatre in 2023.
Engaging LGBTQ women on sexual health and wellbeing is a key focus for ACON. In the coming year, our Womens Health Project will be developing a new online health resource catering to all women in our communities.
ACON’s Cancer Programs will continue its work in delivering LGBTQ-inclusive health promotion with the launch of a new digital tool that will increase cancer risk reduction knowledge and contribute to increasing screening participation rates among our communities. Working alongside our partners, we will also continue to progress the establishment of the ACON Health Centre.
Mental Health
While many LGBTQ+ people in NSW lead happy, healthy and productive lives, there are a range of issues relating to poorer mental health outcomes, such as depression, self-harm, anxiety, suicide ideation and suicidality, which impact on a higher number of LGBTQ+ people compared to the wider population. We’re here to help LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV take control of their mental health by providing information, a range of counselling services and a care coordination program for people with complex needs.
Our Care Coordination Service provides free support to community members experiencing a range of health, personal and social barriers. LGBTQ+ people supported with care coordination work with our specialist social workers and psychologists for assistance with sexual, domestic or family violence, substance use or gender affirmation. This year we provided over 5,100 care coordination occasions of service to sexuality and gender diverse people, a 25% increase from 2021-22. This work was funded by the NSW Ministry of Health and the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.
Pride Counselling Programs is ACON’s social enterprise counselling service for sexuality and gender diverse community members in NSW. This means all income generated by the service is reinvested back into ACON’s services. Pride Counselling includes a service for individuals with a GP Mental Health Plan but who are ineligible for funded services and are able to pay for counselling; and Pride EAP (Employee Assistance Program), which provides inclusive and affirming counselling to employees of member organisations. This year, Pride Counselling Programs delivered over 1,000 occasions of service.
ACON has been working to prevent LGBTQ+ suicide for almost 40 years. Our dedicated Suicide Prevention and Aftercare Services have supported community members experiencing a suicidal crisis or requiring assistance following a suicide attempt, and this year, our team of specialist LGBTQ+ social workers, psychologists, counsellors and peer workers delivered over 1,700 occasions of service to over 200 people across NSW.
This year, we launched HERE.org.au, ACON’s LGBTQ+ suicide prevention digital hub. The website provides information on suicide and situational distress, connecting people, their loved ones, and service providers in NSW to care, support, and resources. HERE.org.au won two Good Design Awards for Social Impact and Digital Design. This project has been funded by the NSW Ministry of Health Towards Zero Suicides Initiative.
ACON participated in the National Suicide Prevention Conference held in Canberra in March. We presented various sessions and workshops including on suicide in trans communities; the role of holistic, collective care and lived experience on suicide responses; and the use of digital means to support those impacted by suicide.
ACON continued to partner with Way Ahead to support Mental Health Month and the Mental Health Matters Awards. The Mental Health Matters Rainbow Inclusion Award for 2022, sponsored by ACON, was awarded to QI Project: Gender Affirmative Practice, which is an LGBTQIA+ supportive, inclusive and resourceful service from Gna Ka Lun – Campbelltown Hospital.
ACON will continue supporting people to improve their quality of life through our LGBTQ-inclusive and affirming services. We will also be offering a suicide bereavement group, continuing to build collaborative working relationships across the mental health and social services sectors, and focusing on growing Pride Counselling Programs. We will also develop community care workshops and a campaign focused on preventing LGBTQ+ suicide.
You can find out more about our work in mental health at acon.org.au/what-we-are-here-for/mental-health
HIV Support
We’re here to help sexuality and gender diverse people living with HIV take control of their health, as well as the health of their partners, by providing up-to-date information as well as a range of workshops, one-on-one peer support, counselling support groups, meals, care coordination, home-based care and health retreats.
ACON remains committed to providing peer support for gay, bisexual, and queer men (cis or trans) who are living with HIV. These vital services assist individuals who have recently been diagnosed or have been living with HIV for an extended period. They address important topics, including accessing quality healthcare and HIV treatments, managing HIV disclosure, fostering resilience, combating stigma, and fostering social connections.
In collaboration with Positive Life NSW, we successfully conducted two a[STARTx] workshops for a total of 17 people living with HIV, and for the first time we delivered a pilot workshop on HIV disclosure. As well as group programs, ACON delivered 1-on-1 support to 58 people living with HIV.
Positive Life NSW and ACON collaborated on the delivery of two community forums for people living with HIV. One forum addressed healthy lifestyles, diet and exercise and the other provided education, guidance and support for people living with HIV and migrating to Australia.
ACON is here to ensure people from our communities living with, affected by or at risk of HIV can easily access support for their mental health. This year, we provided 800 free counselling occasions of service to people living with HIV.
Our Care Coordination Service of specialist LGBTQ+ social workers and psychologists continued to assist people living with HIV experiencing multiple and complex needs. This year, the Care Coordination Service delivered over 890 care coordination occasions of service to 115 people living with HIV across NSW.
The Community Support Network provides much needed practical support for older people living with HIV. Our team of trained volunteers help with household chores, grocery shopping, meal preparation and gardening. This year, our dedicated CSN team provided a total of 962 occasions of service, totaling 700 home visits and 229 check-ins via telehealth support. Furthermore, approximately 50 essential transport services were coordinated to ensure recipients could attend important medical appointments.
ACON provides access to food and provisions to people living with HIV through our Weekly Meal Service. The Friday Lunch Club operates from ACON’s Sydney office in Surry Hills, offering up-to date information on HIV and LGBTQ+ health and facilitating social connection to reduce isolation while providing sit-down or takeaway freshly-cooked healthy meals for some of our communities’ most vulnerable. Over the course of the year, we served 1,507 meals.
The Positive Leadership Development Institute (PLDI) returned after a long hiatus due to COVID. The PLDI program aims to build the resilience and leadership capacities of people living with HIV in Australia. Alongside several national partners ACON supported PLDI to host two workshops attended by 24 people living with HIV.
Supporting people living with HIV to live fulfilled, healthy lives will always be a priority for ACON. We will continue to provide programs and services that provides support to people living with HIV, including those newly-diagnosed. We will also continue to participate in efforts to raise awareness of the need to challenge and eradicate HIV stigma.
You can find out more about our work in HIV support at acon.org.au/what-we-are-here-for/hiv-support
Alcohol and Other Drugs
We’re here to help sexuality and gender diverse people reduce the harms associated with the use of alcohol and other drugs, by providing a range of resources and support services. We also work with service providers to help them better support the needs of LGBTQ people and people living with HIV.
Most LGBTQ+ people, and people living with HIV, who use alcohol and drugs do so in a non-problematic way. Others require support and look to ACON and our Substance Support Counsellors for evidence based, trauma-informed, person-centred treatment approaches that help them better manage their use, cut down or quit their use of substances, and improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing. Funded by Central Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network, this year we provided around 1,700 occasions of service to 177 people.
Pivot Point is ACON’s online hub for reducing harms associated with alcohol and drug use in LGBTQ communities. Pivot Point is an effective health promotion platform, enabling us to increase harm reduction knowledge, awareness, and capacity for LGBTQ+ people living in and visiting NSW. We additionally promoted services and resources to providers working with LGBTQ+ people.
In 2022-2023, Pivot Point recorded over 48,000 page views, with 38,000 new users.
Harm reduction messaging before, during and after Sydney WorldPride and Mardi Gras events were released via digital campaigns, venue posters and through ACON’s festival health and safety guide. A dedicated online portal on harm reduction with health and support information for visitors to Sydney WorldPride was developed and hosted on Pivot Point.
The Rover program marks its 20th year in 2023 and continues to be a much-loved service by our communities. ACON Rovers promote a culture of care at LGBTQ dance parties and events. In total we had 220 peer volunteers contribute as Rovers over the year, of which 109 were newly inducted.
The Rovers were present across seven large scale LGBTQ events this year, including four of the major WorldPride events (Mardi Gras Party, Domain Dance Party, Bondi Beach Party and Rainbow Republic) as well as the Pride Villages on Oxford Street. This year we partnered with Dancewize NSW to support our harm reduction efforts. These included provision and management of supervised care spaces, peer support roving, drug and alcohol peer education, and individual support and referral throughout the events.
During these events Rovers supported over 7,733 patrons and responded to 15 overdoses. Overall, these events were incredibly successful and had fewer medical presentations compared to previous years.
ACON’s Needle & Syringe Program (NSP) is offered at Sydney, Hunter and Lismore offices. We provide free sterile injecting equipment and health promotion services to people who inject drugs. People who use this service can also get connected to advice, support and relevant health resources, referrals to other services and access to condoms.
Provision of the NSP helps to reduce the transmission of blood borne viruses such as HIV and Hep C and other injecting related risks. In Sydney, we distributed 299,276 units of equipment, Hunter NSP and outreach program distributed 294,070 units and the Lismore NSP distributed a total of 9,442.
All NSP sites participates in the Take Home Naloxone program, a life-saving drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Satisfaction with our NSP service is high with all surveyed respondents in Sydney noting they have had a good or very good experience with the service and 74% strongly agree that our range of equipment meets the service user needs.
In 2023/24, the Harm Reduction team will be focusing on reviewing the Rover program and Pivot Point to harness the opportunities for reducing harms for LGBTQ communities when it comes to alcohol and other drugs. The program will continue providing an impactful service at events and parties in NSW, including a return to Tropical Fruits and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. The team will also deliver quality improvement and capacity building in the NSP space, as well as harm reduction messaging and community education.
You can find out more about our work in alcohol and other drugs support at acon.org.au/what-we-are-here-for/alcohol-drugs
Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence
We’re here to help LGBTQ+ people who have experienced sexual, domestic and family violence (SDFV) by providing a range of resources and support services to address issues specific to our communities.
The NSW Department of Communities and Justice continued our funding in 2022-23 to deliver statewide specialist SDFV counselling and care coordination support. This enabled us to provide around 1,200 occasions of service to 56 clients.
The Department also funded ACON through the Commonwealth Government Domestic and Family Violence COVID-19 stimulus packages to refurbish our counselling and therapeutic support rooms to help ensure safe, confidential and comfortable support spaces. This funding was used to reduce noise leakage, create additional therapeutic spaces, install telehealth pods and improve lighting.
ACON’s Say It Out Loud website is the only national online sexual, DFV resource for LGBTQ+ people, professionals and allies, creating a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ people to seek support, information and services. Over the course of the year, Say It Out Loud delivered blog posts, added new services and resources, and distributed over 1300 printed resources to services across Australia.
During 2022-2023, Say It Out Loud recorded over 42,376 unique views.
Under Say It Out Loud, we launched the online campaign, Speaking out for Solidarity and Connection. Developed in partnership with the Zoe Belle Gender Collective and ACON, the campaign shines a light on the connection between trans women and non-binary trans femme people, and people of other genders. These are real stories from people across the country in a variety of relationships from friendships to intimate partners. ACON celebrates the importance of trans women and non-binary trans femmes in our relationships, in LGBTQ+ communities and broader societies. The project was funded by the Australian Department for Social Services.
This year, ACON ran another iteration of our Survivor Group, an 8-week group program for any LGBTQ person who has experienced or is currently experiencing intimate partner, family and/or sexual violence. These groups provide survivors of violence an opportunity to share experiences, understand more about intimate partner, family and sexual violence in LGBTQ+ communities, and to reconnect with community support mechanisms. The program was funded and made possible by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.
ACON provided an important advocacy and advisory role to a number of government and sector initiatives related to sexual, domestic and family violence. This included our ongoing participation in the National Plan Advisory Group, providing input to into the Action Plan and Outcomes Framework for The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
This year, we released a report based on the findings from the first comprehensive NSW-based survey relating to community experiences and perceptions of sexual violence. The report gives voice to survivors of sexual violence, who shared their experiences over their lives, along with the impacts of sexual violence on their health, relationships and lives. The report also offers guidance on what helpful responses to disclosures of sexual violence can look like.
Over the next year, ACON will be expanding our sexual, domestic and family violence programs with two new initiatives. Our Survivor Stories program will support LGBTQ+ victim-survivors of sexual violence to share their stories in an anthology of stories and art, and our Sexual Violence Consult Service will provide consults, training and guidance to services that provide support to sexuality and gender diverse people who have experienced sexual violence with the goal of strengthening service provision.
You can find out more about our work in SDFV at acon.org.au/what-we-are-here-for/domestic-family-violence
Our Focus Areas
