Providing support and safety

McAuley Community Services for Women
Passionate. Innovative. Campaigner

Jocelyn Bignold OAM leads an organisation that makes a considerable difference in the lives of women and children experiencing family violence and homelessness.

As CEO of the McAuley Community Services for Women, Jocelyn is the driving force behind the non-profit, which operates a range of crisis to long term housing and was the first 24/7 crisis service in Victoria. It supported 1392 women in the last financial year, an 18 per cent increase over the previous year.

Working in partnership with other local services, 405 trauma counselling sessions were provided; more than $218,000 in debt collectively owed by women linked to family violence was waivered.

Under Jocelyn’s leadership, McAuley also helped dozens of women who had been homeless or at risk of homelessness into permanent accommodation, 36 into employment and provided tutoring for children whose schooling had been interrupted by family violence.

Jocelyn has over 25 years’ experience advocating for women and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2020 for her work.

She is determined to find new and better ways to support women and children.

Jocelyn says her nomination as a Westfield Local Hero honours her whole team. “We are on a constant path to providing more solutions through accommodation and support but also through our advocacy work. I am inspired every day by the work we are doing.”

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. The McAuley Community Services for Women will use its funds to purchase school essentials for children affected by family violence, including a computer.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here