New program aims to help rural women reset

Last published on 16 Sep 2020 

A new series of free online events will provide women across regional NSW with advice to help them support their communities through challenging times.

The NSW Rural Women’s Network, in partnership with The Rural Women, will host eight online events in the BE-Treat – Reset Sessions for Rural Women series.

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the series will recognise and support the essential role women continue to play in helping regional communities recover and thrive after the prolonged drought, bushfires, and COVID-19 pandemic.

“Women are often the lifeblood of rural and regional communities and time and again are the ones who hold the people around them up during tough times,” Mrs Taylor said.

“The program aims to provide them with an opportunity to breathe and reset, as well as gain some essential skills to help them continue to support their families and communities.

“The powerful and practical sessions will help them in areas such as having difficult conversations and recognising the importance of looking after themselves first.”

The series will be launched on the International Day of Rural Women on October 15 and events will be hosted during October and November via Zoom.

Rural Women’s Network Senior Coordinator, Allison Priest, said the sessions have been designed in response to feedback gathered from teams on the frontline of the recovery and rebuilding process in rural NSW.

“Each 90-minute session will be hosted and presented by subject matter experts and those with lived experience in disaster recovery,” Mrs Priest said.

“The primary focus is on providing ‘time out’ rather than overloading participants with new information and education.”

For more information, visit Rural Women's Network.