Partnership’s Making a Difference.

Joy Harrison R/N Refugee and Migrant Health 14th National Rural Conference 27th April, 2017

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Collaboration

Tracey Tierney – Starrts Judith Roberts – NSS Joy Harrison – Health Sandi Smoulders – Teacher This could only happen by open conversation, interest in making a difference, exploration of options and permission from managers of organisations.

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Armidale 23,500 population University if New England Est 1955 70 different cultures

Area covered by Migrant Health Nurse.

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• Migrant, Refugee and International Student Community • Many of the student families are from countries

experiencing conflict and uncertainty including Iraq and Libya.

• Some have applied for on shore protection. These families are often ineligible for many local services or have to pay very high fees.

• Longer Settled Refugee Communities include the South Sudanese, Ethiopian,, Eritrean, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mongolian and Iranian Communities.

• Other migrant groups were Chinese, Japanese and Cambodian.

• This meant there were a number of language groups.

Armidale

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Scenes of Autumn.

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• Language Barriers • Transport • Financial, scholarships, Centrelink • Private medical insured / Medicare for obstetrics • Prior education • Child Safety • Trauma and change impacts on family relationships • Understanding Australian immunisation registration and laws

Major challenges

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Explain and encourage to Join In

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• Awareness and passion to make a difference • Co-workers with trust and belief in judgement of each

other. Open dialogue.

• To reduce social Isolation • Build attachment between mothers, grandmothers and

children. • Provide a support network to people without extended

family. • To build resilience and confidence. • Foster independence • Facilitate access to a range of local services. • Provide an opportunity for fun and laughter

Objectives

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Social Isolation

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• Music, Movement and storytelling program for 4 weekly 2 hour sessions

• Facilitation by an experienced early childhood teacher / musician

• Planning and collaboration between STARRTS, NSS, Armidale Homelessness Support, HNEHealth and local Migrant and Refugee Women

• Identified funding sources and resources – STARRTS internal funding with additional resources (hall, transport and materials) supplied by other partners.

• Arabic interpreters organised and provided by Health.

Program

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Participate

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• New support groups established e.g. group for Temporary Visa Holder women and Children. PPP Parenting program for Arabic speaking families.

• Program provided an opportunity for other local services to tap into the needs of multicultural women and children.

• Highlighted the need for language support, parenting support and social inclusion.

• Highlighted the need for Occupational Therapy intervention for some of the children. Follow up by local OT’s was organised

• Improved wellbeing including reduced stress, more confidence in parenting.

• Provided an opportunity for families to have fun and enjoy each others company.

Outcomes

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Taking turns

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• When services work together a lot can be achieved with few resources.

• This was a genuinely collaborative project reflected by the diversity of participants.

• Even small projects in small places can bring diverse groups together and kick start other activities and initiatives.

• Providing opportunities to build connections and confidence in a safe environment fosters empowerment of individuals and enhances social cohesion.

Partnership in Collaboration

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Something for All

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• Ten cultures represented with 55 participants in total • Inclusive safe environment • Happy children • Music the common language • Mothers had a CD of the music for children to take

home • Encouraged to engage and play with children • Trust deepened with services • Further individual support accepted

Take - away

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Some of our Mums and Bubs

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Thankyou for your time Any Questions?

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