UA receives LGBTI award

May 19, 2016

Uniting AgeWell has received a prestigious Dorothies Award in recognition of its work in providing LGBTI-inclusive aged care services.

The annual Tasmanian award was presented to Uniting AgeWell at a ceremony in Launceston on May 17.

The event coincided with the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).

UA’s Strathdevon MIS Vicki Pollock received the “2016 Award acknowledging Inclusive Practice for LGBTI elders in a Faith Based Care Service” from Susan Ditter, the Executive Officer of award organisers Working It Out (WIO).

WIO is Tasmania’s gender, sexuality and intersex status support and education service.

UA Director of Mission John Clarke said it was wonderful and worthy recognition of the work UA was doing to incorporate LGBTI inclusive practice into its residential and community services.

This includes establishing a senior executive LGBTI Working Group, developing an LGBTI policy and practice standard and offering LGBTI training to staff, he said.

Staff have also been surveyed about their attitudes to LGBTI inclusiveness – more than two thirds agreed it was important UA was an LGBTI inclusive service – and standard administration forms and procedures are being updated to ensure they are LGBTI inclusive.

John said UA was working towards Rainbow Tick accreditation, which recognised an organisation’s commitment to safe and inclusive service delivery for LGBTI people in our community.

“This signifies that we have worked to make our services welcoming of the LGBTI community and able to meet their needs,” he said.