WestSeed: How to ensure no one is left behind
Reduce Inequalities within and among countries is no.10 of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Persisting inequalities within communities include income, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, class, ethnicity, religion and opportunity. If people are excluded for a chance to have a better life, the consequences can lead to increased criminal activity, disease and environmental decline.
It is for this reason that no matter who we are or where we are from, inequality affects us all. Now more than ever, people globally understand the impacts of economic crisis as Covid-19 has surged through the world. Not surprisingly, the most vulnerable communities are the most negatively impacted by the pandemic. These groups include older people, women, people with disabilities, migrants and refugees and children.
There are some great equality advocates that have put a smile on our faces:
Surf champion Lucy Small announced in her winning speech at the Curly Maljam in April 2021, that it is a “bitter sweet victory” considering she is receiving less than half the prize money than the male winners. By calling it out, the organisers have announced a change in their policies as well as other sponsors chipping in to cover the difference in prize money. The Champions of Change Coalition has also put in place a pathway to pay equality within sports which you can read here.
Actor Benedict Cumberbatch has stated he will only take on new roles if his female counterparts are paid equally.
Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) values diversity and inclusivity and is on a mission to build communities who treat everyone with dignity and respect.
Large issues can often feel too big for any individual to support or act upon. Here are some ways to reduce inequalities within your community:
Promote social and economic growth within your community. Get behind initiatives to improve social inclusion, health, education, and job security. Find out what your local MPs are doing to combat these issues.
Read our blog on how to write more inclusive Position Descriptions with Volunteer West’s PD Pivot service.
Make responsible consumer decisions by using sites like Certified B Corporation to support Fairtrade and small businesses.
Volunteer with an organisation whose missions are to eradicate poverty, improve the health and wellbeing of the local community or help find jobs for young people, migrants and refugees or other vulnerable communities.
As part of the WestSeed program, we promote organisations who celebrate diversity, encourage the development of health and education within their communities and show support to those more vulnerable than themselves. Find out more below...
The Pasefika Hub Inc runs free playgroups that are open to the public and feature Pasefika learning activities and 3a Abecedarian sessions for pre-school children aged 0 - 5 years old within the Brimbank Council during school terms at the following venues.
Wednesday Playgroup: 9.15am - 11.15am
Stevensville Primary School
52 Kings Road, St Albans VIC 3021
Thursday Playgroup: 9.15am - 11.15am
Deer Park North Primary School
18-36 Mawson Ave, Deer Park VIC 3023
Friday Playgroup: 10am - 12noon
7 Community Hub
Sydenham VIC 3037
Basketball Sessions are currently running at Deer Park North Primary School and Stevensville Primary School. St Albans Heights Primary School will be joining in Term 3, 2021.
Cultural Programs
St Albans Heights Primary School and St Albans East Primary School will commence in Term 3, 2021.
Please sign up your child with the relevant Primary School for these programs or contact the following mobile number or email if you have any questions.
Phone: 0458 579 991
Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition (VIRWC)
Every week, over 150 women meet and talk, laugh and share their stories with each other. Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition arranges for Information Sessions and Workshops on several topics to inform and connect women to service providers state-wide and in the local area. Women come out of their homes and into the community each week to build friendships and reduce social isolation. They celebrate culture and share traditional foods. They have in excess of 10 groups running every week in different areas of Melbourne.
The St. Albans multicultural women's group have a community garden, where the fruit and vegetables are used to prepare meals while socialising in a comfortable and safe setting.
The Point Cook Multicultural women's group organise social activities, excursions and guest speakers for women that is inclusive and in a comfortable and safe setting.
Phone: 0422 062 521 (or 0432 489 584 for Point Cook)
Email: projects@virwc.org.au
Western Melbourne Chin Community (WMCC)
Western Melbourne Chin Community (WMCC) is a registered non-profit organisation initiated by the Chin people residing in Melbourne in order to provide care, advocacy and other supports in education and social services to the communities. One of WMCC’s core aims is to promote education and social outcomes for Chin youth by running homework clubs for students from Year 2 to Year 9. WMCC homework clubs currently have nine teachers and 70 registered students.
West Welcome Wagon is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing material aid and support to asylum seekers and refugees in Melbourne's west. West Welcome Wagon currently supports over 800 households of asylum seekers and refugees from over 30 different countries, providing them with good quality donated items such as furniture, bedding, clothing, children’s toys, appliances and kitchenware as well as essential packs of food, toiletries and personal items.
West Welcome Wagon is driven by enthusiastic volunteers who have a commitment to provide material aid to those in desperate need of it and exists thanks to the support of the community. They recognise that even the smallest volunteer contribution can make the biggest difference. There are multiple volunteering opportunities with the benefit of time flexibility.
Gateways is recognised and respected for our expertise in supporting children and adults with a broad range of disabilities including autism, intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, challenging behaviours and complex medical needs. They are committed to providing quality, safety and wellbeing to every person we support.
They currently provide services throughout the Barwon region, Wyndham, western Melbourne, Warrnambool and Southwest Victoria with offices in Geelong, Werribee, Footscray, and Warrnambool.
Services includes early intervention and therapy, support coordination, group recreation and skill development activities, individual in-home support as well as parent support and education, day activities, housing and support for adults as well as children in out of home care.
Gateways has many years of proven experience with the National Disability Insurance Scheme, (NDIS), supporting participants since the scheme began in the Geelong region in July 2013. They have assisted children and adults with a disability and their families to implement their NDIS plans to develop skills, try new experiences and achieve their personal goals. They strive to adapt and tailor our supports to suit everyone who chooses their services.
Contact information:
Gateways Community PLACE | Geelong
12-14 Thompson Rd, North Geelong, VIC 3215
(03) 5221 2984
info@gateways.com.au
Western Melbourne Office
77 Droop St, Footscray, VIC 3011
(03) 9396 1111
westernmelbourne@gateways.com.au
Werribee Office
3 Princes Highway, Werribee, VIC 3030
(03) 9749 7388
westernmelbourne@gateways.com.au
Warrnambool Office
171 Lava Street, Warrnambool, VIC 3280
(03) 5562 8271
southwest.admin@gateways.com.au
Vietnamese Families with Special Needs
The Vietnamese Families with Special Needs Inc. (VFSN Inc.) is a non-profit organisation established in 2003 in response to clearly expressed support needs and the isolation and stigma felt by community members living with a disability. The group, based in the Western metro region of Melbourne, aims to enhance the mental and social wellbeing of Vietnamese families who have children with a disability.
Phone: 0448417513
Email: vn.specialneeds@gmail.com
Dinka Ethnic School of Victoria Inc
Dinka Ethnic School of Victoria Inc is a language school dedicated to deliver classified and professional Dinka Language to Dinka Speaking groups from Sudan. They also run sports activities and lessons teaching traditional Dinka music and dance. The Dinka Ethnic School of Victoria Inc is accredited by the State Education Department.
Phone: 0422 282 621
Email: makucdeng@live.com.au
Djerriwarrh delivers a range of education, training, employment and youth specific programs for local communities that are funded by State and Federal Government Departments. The Homework Club provides a safe and supportive out-of-school learning environment where primary or junior secondary students, can participate in educational activities to learn, connect and grow. The program runs during school terms on Thursdays from 3:30-5:00pm, for children from the South Sudanese community. They offer enriching hands-on activities as well as academic development. This program is assisted by enthusiastic volunteers who have an interest in supporting these young people with their homework.
Phone: 0422 040 046
Email: katyl@djerriwarrh.org
Edmund Rice Community and Refugee Services
Edmund Rice Community and Refugee Services provides free learning support and a range of social services contributing to the lives of young people experiencing disadvantage as a result of their Refugee and Migrant background. This includes a homework club, tutoring programs and mentoring.
Phone: 9366 6436
Email: refugees.vic@edmundrice.org
Somali Community Inc. Victoria
Somali Community Inc. (SCI) is a non-for-profit Community Organisation based in Melbourne, Australia. The community was established in 1990 to support and represent the Somali community in Victoria Australia. Somali community Inc. Is one of the first African community established in Melbourne Victoria and largest community in Victoria mostly living inner city area and suburbs particularly Flemington, North Melbourne, Carlton, Kensington, Ascot Vale, Fitzroy and nearby areas. They work in the area where most of the African-Australian Communities in Victoria live and cater to all sorts of situations and needs.
Email: admin@somalicommunity.org.au
Encompass Community Services Hub
Encompass Community Services is a multi-faceted and diverse organisation. For over 35 years they have been offering a broad range of services and support to people living with disabilities and helping the disadvantaged within the community.
They run a wide variety of programs and services including Encompass College of Education & Training, Disability Employment Services, NDIS Services (Life Skills & Flexible Supports, Recreation & Travel, In Home Care & Domestic Supports, Accommodation Services), Support Coordination, and Social Enterprises (pre-loved furniture shop, pre-loved clothing shops, café, farm).
Encompass values the roles our volunteers perform, and they are committed to providing equal opportunities for all. With over 30% of Encompass’ staff having a disability, Encompass puts it ethics into practise. Their volunteers love to participate in an inclusive, diverse and fun environment, because together they create great communities.
For more information on how you can volunteer to be a part of this amazing community give Jorge a call.
Phone: 0433 566 575
Email: jorge@encompass-cs.org.au
Junubi Wyndham (JW) connects South Sudanese youth with education, employment and their community through sport and recreational activities, mentoring, family support and youth outreach. JW is funded by the Office of Youth, supported by Wyndham Community & Education Centre Inc (Wyndham CEC) and managed and staffed by people from South Sudanese backgrounds and has a focus on building the capacity of individuals and community through youth outreach, case management, and family financial support.
Phone: (03) 9742 4013
Email: csg@wyndhamcec.org.au
Point Cook Cultural Community Group
The Point Cook Cultural Community Group organise the Point Cook Lunar Festival. This is a one-day event to celebrate Chinese New Year which features performances by local artists, the Lion and Dragon dances, multicultural performances and a fireworks display. Performances occur from 12pm to 9pm throughout the festival.
Phone: 0409 252 872
Email: bobfair@bigpond.net.au
The organisations listed above are part of WestSeed 1.0.
See all the WestSeed blogs to get inspired by the wonderful organisations in Melbourne’s west.