HEALTH and community services from across the region will be congregating in Ararat on Wednesday to learn how to better listen and engage the community.
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The forum 'Valuing our Voice' aims to highlight the importance of involving local people in order to design effective programs and improve health services.
"I think it's widely recognised that the health system can be simpler and more effective,” Grampians Pyrenees Primary Care Partnership event organiser Emily Anderson said.
“To truly learn how to do this better, we must experience and see the system through the eyes of the patient."
Guest speakers from across the state will highlight their own experiences and bring a range of perspectives, knowledge and skills to share with participants.
Dorothy McLaren is currently completing her PhD at RMIT University and has many years of experience working in disability advocacy and community development.
"My research focuses on the lived experience of rural people travelling for health care and finding a common understanding for patients and health services striving to improve the flexibility and accessibility of services.”
Shaun Hawksworth, a community leader in Footscray will run a workshop in the afternoon with her colleagues from cohealth based in Melbourne.
Ms Hawksworth is a member of the cohealth Community Engagement Advisory Committee, an advocate for accessible and welcoming communities, a photographer and artist.
The event will be facilitated by Nicky Barry from the Health Issues Centre.
Ms Barry coordinates the Rural Health Consumer Participation Project which aims to foster consumer participation across rural health.
Ms Barry has also worked with volunteers, culturally diverse communities, adult learners, parents, carers and children to develop services they need.
The forum will be held on Wednesday at the Alexandra Community Centre in Ararat from 10am to 3pm.
For more information or to register call 5352 6224.