Cultural Diversity and Inclusion

cohealth recognises that racism has harmful effects on mental and physical health. We are committed to preventing race-based discrimination. Our aim is that people from all backgrounds who use our services have a safe, inclusive experience. We are committed to providing healthcare services that respect people of all cultures, languages, and religions.

Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

cohealth has a Diversity & Inclusion Strategy for 2020 – 2023. This strategy articulates cohealth’s commitment to provide culturally safe and inclusive services and work environments as a matter of core business. It sets out our diversity and inclusion vision, strategic goals and the steps we will take to impact change.

Culturally safe environments

As a community health organisation, it’s important to us that our services and workplace are culturally safe and inclusive of all people. We do this by:

• Striving for our workforce to reflect the community we’re serving
• Ensuring our service sites are visually welcoming and accessible
• Providing accessible written and verbal information
• Providing staff with training and learning opportunities
• Listening to what community members want and need
• Partnering with other cultural diversity organisations

Collectives

• In early 2021 we formed a cross organisation anti-racism collective. The purpose of this is to come together to examine whiteness and deepen anti-racism work at cohealth.
• cohealth has a staff People of Colour Collective (POCC) for staff to speak openly and support each other within a safe environment. The POCC advocates for positive change for cohealth clients and employees.  

Inclusion in the workplace

Based on previous staff surveys, around half of cohealth’s workforce identify as culturally diverse, and that’s something we are proud of as we know it makes us a stronger organisation.

Our inclusive workplace culture enables staff to bring their whole selves to work, where uniqueness is valued, and people experience a feeling of belonging. All staff connect over a shared passion of promoting human rights, it’s central to our culture.

Learn more about our workplace culture on the dedicated cohealth careers website

Services and programs

Free interpreter service

For free access to a phone interpreter you can phone 131 450 and ask them to call us. If you need an interpreter to attend an appointment with you in-person, cohealth can also help to organise this for you.

Refugee and Asylum seeker health

This service is for people who are refugees or asylum seekers. We have dedicated staff to help you with your physical and mental health. Find out how to access Refugee and Asylum seeker health services.

Bi-cultural worker program

cohealth hosts a network of highly skilled, multi-lingual bi-cultural workers who have graduated from our bi-cultural internship program. They have extensive community networks, an in-depth understanding of different cultural perspectives.

Find out more about how to become a bi-cultural worker.

Policy submissions and position statements

cohealth proactively and responsively develops policy submissions to represent and promote our position on key areas of policy and social debate.

Inquiry into issues facing diaspora communities in Australia – July 2020 (Download PDF 282 KB)

Black lives matter, racism is a health issue (Download PDF 436KB)