Street Side Medics
Street Side Medics specialises in meeting the primary health care needs of those who are particularly vulnerable in the community, who are not accessing mainstream primary health care services. The service is delivered via a van at the same time every week in Blacktown and Parramatta, with all the capability of a traditional general practice, staffed by skilled volunteer GPs, nurses, junior doctors and other medical or allied health professionals.
Services offered to patients include health examinations, diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions, establishing health care plans, immunisations, pathology services and more.
Wellbeing and Resilience Grant Program
Following the loss and distress resulting from the 2022 floods which impacted Western Sydney, our Wellbeing and Resilience Grant program was introduced. The grants were designed to support neighbourhoods rebuild a sense of community and social connectedness, improve community health and wellbeing, and begin the work for future emergency response preparedness.
The three successful grant recipients were:
- North West Community Services
- St John Paul II Catholic College
- Hawkesbury River Country Council for Landcare
STARTTS
We have been working with the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) for over a decade to provide culturally-appropriate support to community members with refugee backgrounds living in Western Sydney.
90%
of STARTTS clients were born outside of Australia
69%
speak a language other than English
Keeping in Contact Program
STARTTS Keeping in Contact (KiC) program was born out of Western Sydney pandemic lockdowns to help culturally and linguistically diverse seniors maintain a sense of belonging whilst isolated from their usual routines. Members participate in a range of activities in-person and online, including knitting, board games, crochet, drawing and cultural dance. They go on excursions together and have built friendships with people from different cultural backgrounds while sharing traditional food, music and stories from their childhoods. The activities have sustained strong attendance into 2024, with 712 people attending one of 226 face-to-face sessions which ran during this past year.
Veda’s Story
Background: Veda Aunty, a Western Sydney resident nearing her 80s, was connected to the KiC program through another community member who noticed that Veda was more isolated and less social than usual. Veda experiences hearing impairment and had recently undergone heart surgery, which was impacting her ability to be connected to friends.
Support: Through the KiC program, Veda was provided with mindfulness colouring books for seniors which helped improve her finger dexterity and focus. Veda began sharing some pictures of her colouring on the group’s WhatsApp chat to other group members and the group facilitator, where group members encouraged Veda to continue her great work. Having regained her hand dexterity, Veda gained the confidence to start writing about her life experiences in a notebook gifted to her by the KiC group - something she wanted to do to hold onto her important memories. This new love of writing has seen Veda write 40 articles on topics relevant to everyday life, some even gaining international fans within the Tamil-speaking community.
Outcome: In November, Veda launched her first book, ‘Narri Valli Ordiya Anupava Molligal’ (loosely translated as ‘Experience Gained Through Grey Hair’). During the launch event, Veda likened herself to a small lamp hidden under a basket, expressing how the KiC program had empowered her to shine like a sun atop a mountain. The event drew a large attendance from the community and various Tamil organisations. Veda Aunty’s creation is hailed as a source of inspiration for the Tamil community, as it imparts valuable guidance to the younger generation, encouraging them to uphold traditional values.
South Sudanese Youth Ambassadors
The South Sudanese and Hazara Youth Ambassador Program focus on young people aiming to increase mental health literacy and knowledge of mental health services. The goal of the program is to enhance health, social connections and wellbeing in what has become a complex post- COVID-19 lockdown period for young people. The program increases protective factors in suicide prevention and provides ongoing support to a pool of peer support South Sudanese and Hazara Youth Ambassadors.
When Matthew* became part of the Hazara Futsal team, he found much more than a sport; he found a community. His journey with the team has been about personal growth and community leadership. Each week, Matthew eagerly anticipates the futsal sessions. The game has become a highlight of his week, offering him exercise, camaraderie and a sense of belonging. Matthew has enhanced his physical health through futsal and forged meaningful connections with his teammates. The sport has catalysed his personal development, allowing him to hone new skills and expand his knowledge through various training sessions and workshops provided by STARTTS. Matthew’s involvement goes beyond playing; he has taken on a leadership role, guiding the team with a steady hand and a clear vision. His efforts have not only strengthened the team’s dynamics but have also served as an inspiration to others in the community. From sport, grows connection to community, which in turns supports a sense of belonging and an opportunity to gain knowledge, including Mental Health First Aid training, allowing Matthew to support good mental health for himself and those around him.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Mental Health Program
The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) program combines the CALD Mental Health Literacy and Suicide Prevention Program and the African Mental Health Learning Circle program. Each program works to increase mental health literacy, help identify and talk about mental health issues within different communities, and support people with tools to manage their mental wellbeing.
