Val's Cafe

Supporting service providers caring for older GLBTI people

Val’s Café is proudly facilitated by Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria and the {also} Foundation

About Val:

Val's coffee lounge was a meeting place for the ’camp’ community in the early 1950s. Val describes how: People used to get dressed up just to come to the coffee lounge. They could be themselves and feel as if they were at home.

People would say: 'Oh my god I’m not the only one in the world'. Val was a revolutionary as she describes: If I was out I wore a homburg hat and carried a silver topped cane (and wore) beautiful suits (which were) extremely mannish. I wasn't intimidated. If I'd shown any sign of doubt I would have copped it.

About Val’s Café:

Val’s Café builds on the support offered by Val sixty years ago. While there is not a café as such the group seeks to replicate Val’s support for the lesbian and gay community. In particular Val’s Café will involve establishing a regular support group for aged care service providers who are promoting the rights of older GLBTI people receiving aged care services. The Café recognizes that many aged care service providers are promoting change in isolation and without support. In response, the Val’s will open four times a year to support aged care service providers.

It will also provide on-line and telephone support. Val’s Café will involve gatherings of aged care service providers in a supportive and nurturing environment. Participants will be offered the opportunity to talk, network with like minded colleagues, trouble shoot challenges, learn new strategies for change and identify where to go for more support. The Café will open four times a year at the {also} Foundation. If you are interested in attending contact Catherine for Zoë for café dates and times.

Café services:

1. Create: links with like minded people encountering similar experiences

2. Debrief: about the challenges you encounter promoting the health and wellbeing of older GLBTI people

3. Discuss: issues that emerge for older GLBTI people and when changing practice

4. Exchange: ideas, information, resources, and strategies for change

5. Feel: supported by role models and mentors in the area

6. Hear: from experts about the latest research, government initiatives or community resources

7. Learn: strategies to advocate for the needs of older GLBTI people

8. Identify: organisations which can support your efforts to change practice

9. Rural and remote: services can be supported through a ‘virtual café’ with support provided on line or over the phone support

When & Where

Where: Gay & Lesbian Health Victoria (GLHV), Ground Floor, 215 Franklin Street, Melbourne

Date: Thursday, 4 March 2010

Time: 3pm - 5pm

For further information contact

Catherine Barrett at Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria 03 9285 5297 - c.barrett@latrobe.edu.au or

Zoe Dunbar at {also}, on 03 9660 3900 - zoed@also.org.au or Contact Us here.