Reconciliation Action Plan
In 2015, WSCF launched its first Innovation Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for the 2015-2017 period. Once this three year period concluded, our team spent time reflecting on and improving our work, attitudes, and collaborations with Aboriginal partners and communities.
We continue to be committed to being accountable for our work towards our vision for a thriving Western Sydney that honours, respects and supports all communities including those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ones.
2020 is the first year of our new Innovate RAP which will be available soon.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
ZEST Awards
Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2020 the ZEST Awards has become the premier event celebrating the outstanding work of individuals and organisations in greater Western Sydney’s Community Industry. ZEST promotes a positive image of Western Sydney, highlighting its human assets, diversity and the creative and innovative work undertaken across the region.
The Awards have celebrated over 900 outstanding projects and individuals from our community across the past five nine years.
Stories to Solutions: Evidence in Practice Collection
Western Sydney Community Forum are proud to present Stories to Solutions: Evidence in Practice Collection, where we share the experiences and achievements of some of the stars of ZEST. It provides readers with the opportunity to learn about evidence-based practice and its real-life impact in Western Sydney, to ensure that this region continues to work towards being a thriving and community-oriented area.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
Communities of Change Report
The Communities of Change Report is a joint initiative between the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW and Western Sydney Community Forum.
The purpose of the Communities of Change Report is to provide insights on the changing landscape of Western Sydney to assist in making quality strategic decisions about future planning and investment in service delivery.
International Women’s Day
Western Sydney has increased unprecedented focus and investment. To foster and preserve social inclusion and community health and wellbeing, WSCF has Voices of the West as our inaugural International Day event, held on the 4th of March 2020. This event will be the product of joint efforts between Western Sydney Community Forum and various partners.
Voices of the West will include a living library comprising of woman from varying professional backgrounds, diverse cultural identities and different stages of life who will have a platform to speak, listen, share, inform and be informed.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
Home in Western Sydney
There have been multiple studies that analyse housing affordability and homelessness from diverse perspectives across Australia and NSW. There is also emerging industry research that drills down to Western Sydney.
The Home in Western Sydney paper, a partnership initiative with Wentworth Community Housing, complements this work and focuses on drawing out the key themes from several critical data sets.
Build Beyond Bricks
Western Sydney has increased unprecedented focus and investment. To foster and preserve social inclusion and community health and wellbeing, WSCF has developed a range of policy recommendations to Build Beyond Bricks.
Home Free:
Women’s Journeys to Safety from Domestic Violence
Home Free is a book that contains a collection of stories told from the unique perspective of women affected by domestic violence with focus on their stories and their solutions – not the violence they have affected. Home Free was written to encourage other women experiencing domestic violence of life after. This book also informs and provides services and decision makers with valuable insights. To deliver this project, WSCF worked with Bonnie Support Services (lead agency), the Education Centre Against Violence, Western Sydney University, Parramatta City Council and Newpin.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
Conversations Series
WSCF hosts a series of conversations across Greater Western Sydney providing a collaborative platform to discuss social and cultural goals in the regional public policy debate. It also serves as an excellent networking opportunity for our stakeholders to connect over important issues, benefit from thought-provoking speakers and an opportunity to exchange ideas with peers and colleagues.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
Generation CommunitY
We are creating the next generation of industry leaders. Realise your potential in our leadership incubator, Generation CommunitY.
Does your organisation have a young person who has what it takes to become a great leader? The Generation CommunitY program provides an opportunity for emerging leaders to develop their leadership skills enabling them to transition into leadership roles and influence positive change.
Community Care NewsDigest
The Community Care NewsDigest is a monthly publication produced by Western Sydney Community Forum that covers important news and events affecting the aged and disability sectors.
Community Care Forums
There are several events throughout the year convened by WSCF that provides organisations and their staff with the opportunity to engage with others in the sector as well receive timely updates regarding reforms, training and best practice. The Western Sydney Community Care Forum is tailored to those on the front line of the aged care and disability sector to navigate the ongoing changes and challenges presented.
The Western Sydney Community Care Leaders Mixer provides leaders, managers and CEOs with the latest resources, collaboration and training opportunities across Western Sydney.
Read the 2022 Community Care Forum Calendar
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
Western Sydney Community Care Forum and Leaders Mixer
There are several events throughout the year convened by WSCF that provides organisations and their staff with the opportunity to engage with others in the sector as well receive timely updates regarding reforms, training and best practice. The Western Sydney Community Care Forum is tailored to those on the front line of the aged care and disability sector to navigate the ongoing changes and challenges presented.
The Western Sydney Community Care Leaders Mixer provides leaders, managers and CEOs with the latest resources, collaboration and training opportunities across Western Sydney.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
Culturally Responsive Framework to Address Gambling Related Harm
WSCF is developing a culturally responsive framework to address gambling related harm. The action research project is capturing insights from existing literature as well as successful practice models in Western Sydney and beyond. A set of best practice principles is being developed to guide organisations and practitioners in working to address gambling related harm within culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
The qualitative data collection will include:
• Literature Review
• Framework Implementation Group
• Practice Scan
• Case Studies
• Symposium
The project is funded through the Office of Responsible Gambling. For more information please contact stephanie.adam@wscf.org.au.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
Adaptive Leadership Incubators
Not for profit leaders are required to navigate complexity and uncertainty in their day-to-day role while enabling their team and organisation to envision new possibilities more effectively.
Western Sydney Community Forum has designed the Adaptive Leadership Incubators series specifically for the Community Sector in Western Sydney to equip participants with the skills and theoretical framework to tackle tough challenges and bring about positive, systemic change.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
Flagcom partnership
Since 2018 Western Sydney Community Forum have proudly partnered with Flagcom (Filipino Gay and Lesbian Community) and Friends in presenting the annual Mardi Gras Show to celebrate Filipino culture and crown Australia’s Mardi Gras International Queen.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
Westmet
Through Westmet, Western Sydney Community Forum collaborates with transport providers, government and industry peaks to shape policy and improve transport services to the communities of Western Sydney.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
Blacktown Energy Initiative
WSCF work with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage to identify and engage with leaders in the energy and sustainability space in Blacktown. We established the Blacktown Energy Initiative Leadership Group in December 2016 to support collaboration opportunities to make Blacktown the leading place in NSW for energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
Blueprint for Place Based Integrated Services
WSCF is leading the design of a blueprint for delivering place based integrated services across Western Sydney. The Blueprint emphasises client centricity, service coordination, and community, business and government sharing a common agenda. It will provide guidance for investment into robust structures that support a rapidly growing region with continuing social and economic priorities.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
‘Hot Spots’ Transport Solutions
A transport ‘hot spot’ is a geographically disadvantaged area where a large number of communities who experience disadvantage reside. WSCF is leading a strategy charting emerging trends and seeking innovative solutions in the 2168 area, an outer urban area within the Liverpool LGA.
Would you like to discuss your community’s transport disadvantage needs and create a collaborative partnership strategy?
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
Industry Development Opportunities
WSCF has a proud tradition of offering quality development opportunities for individuals in the industry. We offer a range of masterclasses for our members at a subsidised rate.
Join our skilled facilitators to develop important, relevant skills for the current industry climate in a range of areas including adaptive leadership, marketing and branding, engaging with businesses and corporate partners and governance. Contact us with any enquiries about our Industry Development Opportunities.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
Blue Mountains Collaborative on Elder Abuse
This initiative increases community awareness and builds capacity in the industry to respond to the abuse of older people. Including strengthening local referral pathways, sharing good practice and improving access to quality training and resources. It consists of community sector and Government representatives in the Blue Mountains and is chaired by WSCF. Its most recent initiative involved organising a highly successful ‘Talking Elder Abuse Awareness’ Forum held in June 2016, as part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
Blacktown City & Blacktown Collaborative on Elder Abuse
These initiatives increase community awareness and build capacity in the industry to respond to the abuse of older people. This includes strengthening local referral pathways, sharing good practice and improving access to quality training and resources. They consist of community sector and Government representatives in Blacktown City and Blue Mountains.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
The Western Sydney Collective
The Western Sydney Collective is business, community and government working together to create positive social impact in Western Sydney. The Western Sydney Collective is jointly convened by WSCF and NSW FACS.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
The Future of the Targeted Earlier Intervention Program
WSCF is working with Government and Community Organisations to inform the future of the NSW Government’s Targeted Earlier Intervention Program. A leadership group made up of key industry representatives across Greater Western Sydney has been established to inform the reform directions and drive initiatives. Two industry led initiatives have commenced to build service system capacity, based on the recommendations generated from a roundtable process that engaged with over 270 key stakeholders.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue
WSCF is one of the key regional collaborators on the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue alongside Western Sydney Business Chamber, Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) and Western Sydney University. The Dialogue encourages interaction between key influencers and opinion leaders in the region, to drive the public policy debate and support and promote the Western Sydney agenda through analysis and advocacy.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
Western Sydney Airport Alliance
WSCF is a founding member of the Western Sydney Airport Alliance along with the Western Sydney Business Chamber. WSCF and the Alliance continually monitor the development of the Airport and its surrounding infrastructure to ensure Western Sydney becomes home to a world-class airport improving transport whilst also providing a social, cultural and economic boost for all in the region.
Contact WSCF directly at info@wscf.org.au
Macarthur Real Estate Engagement
The Macarthur Real Estate Project supported new and existing tenants of Real Estate agents to help prevent them from entering the homelessness service system. The project uses a collaborative approach to address the needs of those at risk of homelessness, using existing resources of the service system. In the first 2 years of operation, the project saved almost 60 tenancies as well as an estimated $56,000 eviction costs and 1.1 million in potential loss of future earnings for landlords.
“Aged Care Roadmap” Interactive Learning Module
WSCF has produced a multimedia resource to support providers in preparing for the future. The Roadmap was developed by the Aged Care Sector Committee and endorsed by the Commonwealth Department of Health. It outlines the views on what is needed to achieve a sustainable, consumer-driven and market-based system.