Cancer support service opens with a smile in Geelong

Victoria’s first peer support hub for women and gender diverse people living with cancer opened to many smiles and conversations at the Eastern Hub in McKillop Street this week. 

The new Counterpart Geelong Peer Support Hub welcomed 20 guests to morning tea, including peer support volunteers and the expert staff from Counterpart on Tuesday, ahead of its official opening next month. 

Counterpart Manager Cindy Van Rooy said the Victorian-first regional peer support hub will provide people in the Geelong area opportunities to meet with local volunteers who are trained to provide peer support for women and gender diverse people (and their carers) and make connections in what is often a very difficult time.  

“The Counterpart Geelong Peer Support Hub will be open monthly, and our trained peer support volunteers will be available to chat with people living with a cancer diagnosis about their experiences,” Ms Van Rooy said. 

“The volunteers are all local women who have had a cancer diagnosis and know just what it’s like to have such a life-changing experience. 

“Our next hub day will be on Tuesday 26 August from 10.30am, here at the Eastern Hub in McKillop Street again, and we look forward to welcoming more people to access this free support service.”  

Local Geelong peer support volunteer Trish Ferrier said it is a privilege to support women following their cancer diagnosis, as she understands how isolating it can be, especially in regional Victoria. 

“I have been a peer support volunteer at Counterpart for eight years and the opportunity to support women in my Geelong community is something very important to me,” Trish said. 

“I really encourage people to come along for a chat and make some connections to help them feel supported, and less alone.” 

Beginning in August, the Counterpart Geelong Peer Support Hub will meet monthly as a ‘drop-in’ service for women who have, or had, any type of cancer and their partner, family or friends. 

Counterpart is a service of Women’s Health Victoria and the peer support hub project is funded by the Victorian Government.