Why the Women's group-based Program?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women across the country told us they wanted culturally safe, face-to-face, group-based support to help them quit. So, we created the ‘Women’s Group-based program’ to be rolled out to services across NSW as part of the ‘Gulibaa’ project.
The program has been designed for, and by, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in partnership with Aboriginal health services and communities. The program has been developed to help health services and staff easily deliver the best, evidence-based cessation support to women.
What is the Gulibaa project?
Gulibaa means "Coolamon" in Wiradjuri language. A Gulibaa is used for many purposes, but particularly for caring for our babies, keeping them safe and warm. This symbolism beautifully captures the essence of our program.
The Gulibaa project is an Indigenous-led and community-embedded initiative designed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in their journey to become smoke and vape-free. In delivering these groups, it is important for us to understand what works, and what doesn’t, so that we can deliver the best programs going forward.
What's in the program?
The program consists of six sessions that aim to deliver the knowledge and tools to support women and empower them to make their own choices during their journey to being smoke and vape-free. Each session contains information, activities, and resources to make it easy and efficient for health workers to deliver cessation support in a way that suits their community needs.
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Check out the section below for more information on each session.
Tell me about the Smoking and vaping cessation training?
The Which Way team, in partnership with peak bodies, have developed free online training for all staff from health services who partner on the Gulibaa project. The Online Training, explores key concepts to help you support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make a quit attempt and stay smoke-and vape-free.
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Some of these will include:
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Knowledge of the history of the tobacco industry, policies, legislation and current campaigns that have impacted, and focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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A deeper understanding of nicotine dependence and withdrawal.
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Comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in evidence-based strategies for behavioural change aimed at smoking cessation.
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Knowledge and skills required to run an effective group-based smoking cessation program.
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CPD Points for Which Way? Training
Official Endorsement
The Which Way? training program is officially endorsed by NAATSIHWP as a recognized CPD activity.
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Points Allocation
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Online Modules: 2.5 CPD points per module (4 modules, 10 CPD points total)
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Face-to-Face Launch Module: 4 CPD points
Certification Options
Upon completion, you will receive certification in one of two ways:
Option 1: Online Modules Only Completion
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Earn a digital badge for each online module you complete
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Each module earns you 2.5 CPD points
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Complete all 4 online modules to earn 10 CPD points total
Option 2: Full Program Completion
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Complete all 4 online modules plus the face-to-face launch module
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Receive comprehensive certification for the entire program
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Earn a total of 14 CPD points (10 from online + 4 from face-to-face)
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All certifications serve as official proof of your CPD activity completion. If you have any further questions reach out to us at whichway@newcastle.edu.au
How can my organisation sign-up or get more information?
If you’re a health service or organisation in NSW, you can sign up to get involved in the Women’s Group Based program. We will provide you with training, resources and support for you to deliver this initiative to your community.
Enter your best contact details in our expression of interest form below, and we will reach out to you with more information on the program and yarn through any questions you have.
About the Womens Group-based Program
Our Group-based Program has been designed by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who smoke/vape and want to quit. The program consists of six sessions that aim to empower women with the knowledge and tools to support their smoking and vaping cessation journey. These group-based sessions are facilitated by trained Aboriginal Health Workers/Practitioners and embed cultural practices throughout. They cover a range of topics to support women in their quit journey.
SESSION 1
Benefits of Quitting the Smokes and Vapes
1) Understand the harms of smoking and vaping
2) Understand the benefits of quitting for your health and wellbeing
3) Form your reason ‘why’ for quitting
SESSION 4
Setting Goals and Developing a Quit Plan
1) Understand the importance and how to set meaningful goals
2) Know the steps involved in making a quit plan tailored to personal needs
3) Be able to identify and reduce exposures to things that make you want to smoke or vape
SESSION 2
Overcoming Challenges to Quitting
1) Understand why people smoke and vape, and why it is difficult to quit
2) Be able to recognise personal challenges in making a quit attempt and develop strategies to overcome them
3) Learn mindfulness and distraction techniques and the importance of self-care when making a quit attempt
SESSION 5
Celebrating success and staying on track
1) Recognise small successes and celebrate milestones
2) Be able to review goals and ways to stay on track
SESSION 3
Changing Behaviours and Support to Quit
1) Understand the importance of support when planning and making a quit attempt
2) Learn about supports that are available, and how to use them
3) Be able to identify and reduce exposures to things that make you want to smoke or vape
SESSION 6
Reflections and Graduation!
1) Review content from the past sessions
2) Re-enforce group-specific learnings
3) Celebrate and graduate!
