The Medibank Community Fund (MCF) has awarded a $9,500 community grant to Penrith Women's Health Centre in Penrith, New South Wales.
The grant will fund a 20-week program that aims to improve the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD) by providing health information in relevant languages, physical exercise regimes and cooking classes.
Childcare, transport and interpreters will be provided for participants and their progress will be tracked over the course of this five month program.
Medibank Retail State Manager for NSW, Dilan Perera said the program embraced the Medibank Community Fund's priorities of promoting healthy eating, physical activity and greater community connectedness -the key selection criteria for the MCF grants program.
"Medibank employees on our Regional Council from across NSW, expressed overwhelming support for Penrith Women's Health Centre's application because their program is linking women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds with vital advice and skills that will improve their overall health and wellbeing for the long run", said Mr Perera.
"The Medibank Community Fund grants program supports local, grassroots initiatives that aim to create a lasting and positive impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of people in the community and Penrith Women's Health Centre and its healthy living program are doing just that".
Penrith Women's Health Centre CALD Community Development Worker, Aurelia Gallardo said the program takes a holistic approach to helping women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Australia.
A Bilingual Community Health Educator from the participants' cultural background will assist participants on weekly basis.
"The program focuses on improving women's overall sense of wellbeing, boosting their energy levels, increasing physical flexibility and decreasing the chronic pain experienced by participants", said Ms Gallardo.
Penrith Women's Health Centre is one of 42 recipients chosen from more than 900 applications across Australia and New Zealand to receive a 2014 Medibank Community Fund grant.