We take pride in sharing knowledge and creating a welcoming and inclusive community where there is respect for all people regardless of HIV status, sexuality or gender identity. Our reputation and the demand for comprehensive and engaging education packages is growing and Meridian is excited to be able to offer LGBTIQ+[Ai] Awareness & Inclusivity training to organisations, and businesses across the ACT and surrounding region.
All sessions are delivered by skilled and dynamic Meridian educators who bring a wealth of peer-based lived experience, professional experience, local knowledge and academic education. Our training methodology is a combination of presentation and discussion, incorporating multimedia, and practical activities. We have a 'no wrong question' policy to ensure all participants have an opportunity to fully involve themselves in their training experience.
All training is provided to small groups of up to 25 participants and can be delivered face-to-face or online via Zoom or WebEx. Active and engaged participants leave with new skills, new insights and a wide range of valuable resources, tools and strategies to enhance and build on their inclusive practice policies and action plans.
We can also work with you and focus on topics of learning and discussion specific to your organisation.
Training sessions can be delivered at your workplace, online, at a venue of your choosing or the Meridian Pride Hub.
To enquire about our education and training packages or to schedule a training session, please contact us on 02 6257 2855 or email [email protected]
LGBTIQ+[Ai] Foundation Training
Organisations are recognising that increasing awareness and inclusion of LGBTIQA+ people and communities can provide healthier outcomes for staff and services users. It is not uncommon for people and organisations to feel like this is new territory. LGBTIQ+[Ai] Foundation Training provides fundamental information to help organisations embrace diversity and to improve their service user experience. If you are just beginning your journey of LGBTIQ+ inclusion or you need a refresher, this is a great place to start.
A Pre-Session Questionnaire is sent to all participants prior to training delivery. This Meridian tool is used to:
- Gauge the number of participants.
- The existing level of LGBTIQA+ awareness in the group.
- How welcoming and inclusive participants believe their organsation to be.
- Provide an opportunity for participants to ask anonymous questions.
This data can guide the structure of the sessions.
Training outcomes include:
- Understand and recognise diversity within the human experience.
- Explore evolving concepts of Sex, Gender and Sexuality.
- Gain confidence in the use of language and terminologies around LGBTIQ people and communities.
- Identify and develop ways to enhance workplace inclusive practice and policy.
The design and delivery of this training is grounded in the experience of dynamic presenters who live and work in the ACT, are part of Canberra LGBTIQA+ communities and have a deep understanding of local issues and local resources. We also draw on evidence-based statistics and research conducted by leading institutions such as La Trobe University and UNSW.
Duration: 2 Hours
LGBTIQ+ [Ai] Training Brochure
LGBTIQ+[Ai] Allyship Training
To be an ally is one of the most powerful things people can do to raise awareness and create lasting change for vulnerable and marginalised people. Allyship is about impact rather than intention and this training module explores the role of an ally and how allies can use their voice and actions to improve the lives of people outside their own realm of experience.
Topics include:
- What does it mean to be an ally?
- What makes an effective ally?
- Checking my Privilege.
- Explore the difference between ally, advocate and activist.
- How to recognise examples of effective allyship.
- Practical application of allyship principles in the workplace.
Duration: 2 Hours
LGBTIQ+[Ai] AOD Training
Accessing alcohol & other drug services can be challenging for LGBTIQA+ people struggling with addiction, substance dependence or use. Lack of awareness and inclusion can often undermine an AOD provider’s capacity to provide quality, person-centred care and assistance.
LGBTIQ+[Ai] AOD Training provides a fundamental understanding of sex, gender and sexuality and the diversity of lived experience within these evolving concepts.
[See LGBTIQ+[Ai] Foundation Training for more information.]
LGBTIQ+[Ai] AOD Training explores personal, social, environmental and cultural experiences which may influence struggles associated with AOD for LGBTIQA+ people.
Topics include;
- Minority Stress. What is Minority Stress and how this impacts LGBTIQA+ people?
- Stigma & Discrimination in a healthcare setting
- Risk factors, drivers and of problematic AOD use
- Understand the prevalence and origins of alcohol and other drugs in LGBTIQ+ communities.
- Identifying barriers to accessing AOD services for LGBTIQ+ people
- How to improve inclusive practice for AOD providers
Duration: 2 Hours
HIV Awareness Education
Since the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, our understanding of the HIV virus and the ability to treat people living HIV has improved significantly. Today, although treatments are vastly more effective, it is important to understand people can still be and are impacted by HIV. Meridian delivers this easy to understand, interactive, and engaging HIV education module designed to encourage and facilitate conversations in order to develop basic HIV knowledge including:
- What is HIV?
- How is HIV transmitted?
- HIV prevention
- Stigma and discrimination
- Living with HIV
Duration: 90 minutes
LGBTI+ Silver Rainbow Aged Care Training
Is your organisation working to meet the new priorities under the National LGBTIQ+ Ageing and Aged Care Strategy? Our ageing population is arguably the most important transition facing LGBTIQ+ and wider communities in the coming years.
Whether you are an aged care facility or health care provider, Meridian can help you identify changes to policies and provide staff training to assist in making both your workforce and organisation truly inclusive.
This nationally funded program provides a limited number of free one-day workshops aimed at improving and strengthening LGBTIQ+ inclusive service delivery for aged care sector workers and organisations providing aged care services.
Individual training can be customised to meet the needs of your organisation and staff teams and be delivered either onsite or at one of our partner agencies.
This module includes:
- Understanding LGBTIQ+ communities
- Defining the current ageing experience for LGBTIQ+ people
- Social stigma and assumptions
- Issues for LGBTIQ+ seniors
- Medical considerations
- Legislation
- Government policy
- Inclusive practice
Duration: 3 - 7 Hours