Today, Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) announced a partnership to empower women experiencing disadvantage in and around Frankston and Mornington Peninsula area of Melbourne, through the Why Women Walk 70km Walking Challenge from Frankston to Cape Schanck from 30 April to 2 May 2021.
“This is a perfect fit for WHISE. Our two organisations share a common purpose – to improve the health and wellbeing of women in our region through community and grass roots movements for change,” Says WHISE CEO, Kit McMahon.
Founder of the Women’s Spirit Project, Jodie Belyea, is delighted to partner with WHISE.
“As a volunteer led women’s organisation, the support that WHISE can provide us across the board will be invaluable,” says Ms Belyea.
The partnership is based on a shared understanding of engaging women in community to improve their own health and wellbeing. Both organisations seek to empower women through health promotion and primary prevention activities to truly support women to be well.
“We know that programs like this work, so our partnership with WHISE comes at a time when we need to raise awareness and, grow a movement that supports.
“WHISE will be providing advocacy and administrative support for the Women’s Spirit Project and the incredible volunteers that run the program and major event- Why Women Walk from Frank to Schanck.” says Jodie Belyea.
Ms McMahon emphasises the importance of organisations like WHISE to seek out and support great models of community engagement in wellbeing.
The Women’s Spirit Project runs a program of activities every year that culminates in a 70 km trek from Frankston to Cape Schanck. The Why Women Walk: Frank to Schanck Trek will run from 30 April to 2 May this year, and expects around 120 women to participate in the event.
“The Women’s Spirit Project is another example of how health promotion and true partnership with community can deliver outcomes,” says Ms McMahon
“Why Women Walk and the program that supports it, is a practical example of how women working with other women can create powerful pathways to wellbeing.
“What is particularly important for WHISE and the Women’s Spirit Project, is the focus that it has on supporting vulnerable women from the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Region. We know that vulnerability in women is growing because of the pandemic, and as we recover and emerge, events like Why Women Walk Frankston to Cape Schanck Walking Challenge are vital.”
“We know that vulnerability in women is growing because of the pandemic, and as we recover and emerge, events like Why Women Walk and the support and connection that the Women’s Spirit Project provides is vital.”
“The program delivers outcomes for women. Our evaluation (in partnership with Monash University) shows that the project creates improved self-esteem, connectedness and resilience,” says Ms Belyea.
“We know that programs like this work, so our partnership with WHISE comes at a perfect time as the movement grows, and as we emerge from this pandemic.”
Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) is the leading primary prevention agency for the health and wellbeing of women in the Southern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne. WHISE provide services based on strong body of evidence on primary prevention and gender equity. We work collaboratively with organisations and community to improve the health and wellbeing of all women in our region.
Women’s Spirit Project is a grassroots, volunteer-led initiative aims to inspire, empower and support the transformation of women who are experiencing disadvantage, through an annual fitness, health and wellbeing programs whose major event is the annual 70 km walk, from Frankston to Cape Schank. The evaluation of the first program can be found on the Women’s Spirit Website
