We have made several cahnges to our training and education programs, following our move from Frankston to Dandenong.

Our training activities are provided:

• For community groups and individuals
• For service professionals and organisations
• For WHISE volunteers and peer educators.

Our training calendar is now published every quarter, so that we provide more regular information on our activities. In addition to the calendar, we provide training activities and forums tailored to the specific needs of community groups and organisations.

As more than 50% of Dandenong's population are from overseas countries (principally non-English speaking or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse—CALD), we recognised the need to reflect this change in our client base through recruitment of appropriate volunteers. A major campaign was run in early 2008 with the result that 50% of our current group of trained volunteers are now from non-English speaking backgrounds, including Afghani, Sri Lankan, Egyptian and Vietnamese. The volunteer training program for RPC and CWCC is currently being revised into a competency-based format, as part of the standardising of our training programs. This format is used in TAFE programs and workplace training, and gives trainer and participants clear structures and guidelines for every training program delivered.

Our trained volunteers work in a range of WHISE programs, including our Respect Connect Protect Program for secondary schools, Connecting Women Connecting Communities home visiting program, CALD projects, Community Kitchen and in WHISE reception and administration.

WHISE has delivered programs aimed at reducing violence to women to a variety of CALD communities including Sudanese Women's groups in Footscray and Dandenong, and Afghani Women's groups in Dandenong. The Sri Lankan Women's group has participated in health information sessions and in computer literacy training.