A pilot program for women’s economic empowerment set up by the Brotherhood of St Laurence has opened a financial wellbeing hub in Seymour.
The Sustaining Economic Empowerment and Dignity for Women (SEED) Project aims to support women’s financial capability by connecting women to services and advocating for policy change, improving economic opportunities for women and their families.
The hub offers a range of on site and online services, including one-on-one support in budgeting, filling in forms, linking in with services, financial wellbeing workshops, employment workshops and an Empowerment Pathways Program.
The hub is part of the wider SEED project which also encompasses associated research, evaluation and policy work.
The project was developed with community stakeholders and is in the process of establishing a community investment committee to tackle issues that affect Seymour women’s economic security.
A SEED Project spokesperson said gender disproportionately affected income disparity.
“We know that poverty has a female face. Women tend to work in lower paid jobs than men and are more likely to work part time, or stay at home, due to caring responsibilities,” the spokesperson said.
“This is reflected in the 14.1 per cent gender pay gap. We know that some women do it even tougher, especially those who have disability, are single mums or carers.
“The cost of living crisis means that too many families face tough choices — between rent and food or school costs. And the floods have increased these pressures.”
The SEED hub is at 47A Anglesey St, Seymour. It is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 5pm.