• Community Space
• Client Services
• Education and Community Development
• Youth Services
• Sex Industry Outreach
  
• Needle and Syringe Program
• More info

Community Space

Drop in space for all members of the GLBT community, injecting drug users and sex workers.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Lounge and kitchen
• Public access computer with internet access
• Information on GLBT health issues and HIV/AIDS
• GLBT themed lending library (including HIV information)
• Safe sex and sexual health information
• Regional newsletter, GLBT community papers and a GLBT share accommodation notice board 
• Condoms and lubricant sales
• Low-cost vitamins for sale

The space is available for use by GLBT community groups and a wheelchair accessible room is available for use to other service providers.

Volunteers are an integral and valuable part of service delivery at ACON. The volunteer program provides opportunities for volunteers to participate in:

• Front of house customer service
• Drug education
• Community development and education
• Lesbian health projects
• Events and fundraising

And all in an interesting and diverse atmosphere. The program offers opportunities to use or develop skills and connect with the community.

Client Services

Client Services for GLBT and PLWHA

Intake and assessment and individual support services, care coordination, advocacy and referral for GLBT people and everyone living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Individual support services:

• Personal skills development
• Budgeting and financial issues
• Dental scheme access
• Housing and legal information
• Alcohol and other drugs and mental health

Referral to peer support groups, relevant services and organisations.

Outreach services are provided to:

• Tweed Heads
• Grafton
• Coffs Harbour

Advocacy work includes assistance and advice with homophobia and discrimination. Workshops on GLBT and HIV/AIDS awareness are provided to mainstream services. These can be tailored to suit specific situations and groups. Donations are appreciated.

HIV Health Maintenance

• Information service about HIV and HIV drugs
• Information service on how to maintain good health (including complimentary therapies)
• Printed and web-based HIV health information resources
• One-on-one and group education sessions
• Gay Men with HIV Health Retreats
• Access to peer support

Alcohol and drug info includes drug side effects, drug interactions, starting or changing treatments and wholistic health information.

Counselling Service (Northern Rivers)

We offer short to medium term sensitive and relevant face to face and telephone community counselling service.

The counselling is tailored for:

• People living with/ or affected by HIV/AIDS
• Members of Gay, Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender community
• Members of ACON”s community facing crisis situations.

Presenting issues may include:

• Dealing with a HIV diagnosis
• Coming out and sexual orientation
• Self worth and self confidence
• Relationships
• Domestic Violence
• Family of Origin
• Grief and Loss
• Depression and Anxiety
• Addictive Tendencies (problems with alcohol and other drugs)

The counselling team includes:

• Experienced professionals
• New graduates
• Students in the final stages of training

When: Counselling Service operates on Tuesdays from 9am-9pm and Wednesdays from 10am- 5pm.
Cost: The cost is based on tax deductable donation to ACON starting from$5 according to individual’s income.
Contact: Intake and Assessment is made via phone.
Tel: (02) 6622 1555
Freecall: 1800 633 637

Education and Community Development

Gay Men’s Education

This program provides education, information and referrals for the local gay men’s and GLBT communities relating to HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexual health, general health and wellbeing education, together with safe sex information. It provides a range of educational services to gay and bisexual men, the GLBT and general communities, including:

• Workshops
• Seminars
• Sexual health
• GLBT health information and events
• Anti-Violence and Safe Place projects
• Distribution of safe sex packs to major GLBT parties and events

The program provides workshops to mainstream services that can be tailored to suit specific situations and groups. Topics include anti-homophobia, sexual diversity, discrimination, sexual health and GLBT and HIV/AIDS awareness. Donations are appreciated.

Lesbian Health

This part-time program provides education, information and referrals for women who may identify as lesbian, bisexual or same-sex attracted. Topics include sexual health, mental health, cancer, youth, ageing, and relationships.

The Lesbian Health Project provides:

• A range of community education and health information at events for lesbians, bisexual and same-sex attracted women
• The distribution of women’s safe sex packs
• Training in lesbian awareness and in-services to mainstream services

The Lesbian Health Project is supported by a team of volunteers who extend an invitation to any women new to the area. If you're interested in meeting other women in the Northern Rivers please contact us.

Needle and Syringe Program (NSP)

A secondary outlet of the national Needle and Syringe Program provides free clean injecting equipment to people who inject drugs. The outlet provides information on drugs as well as referrals to health services, drug counselling and treatment facilities. ACON works with NSW Users and AIDS Association (NUAA) and hosts peer support group meetings at the Uralba St Lismore ACON Northern Rivers office.

Youth

The ACON Northern Rivers office provides information and referrals for GLBT young people to local GLBT social groups and mainstream youth services, and mentoring for GLBT youth who would like to provide peer support. The Education and Community Development program provides GLBT youth awareness training and in-services to mainstream services, and works with GLBT social groups and mainstream services to enable them to better support GLBT youth.

Sex Industry Outreach

The ACON Northern Rivers office offers health information to sex industry workers and information about and referrals to the Sex Worker’s Outreach Project and sexual health clinics.  Low cost condoms and lubricant are available for sale.

More info