Community Development

The concept of mental health promotion recognizes that people’s mental health is linked to their relationship with others, environment, lifestyle factors, and the degree of power that they have over their lives. This suggests that personal experience and collective community experience are linked and that to increase the mental health wellness of the individual is to increase the mental health of the overall community, and that they are mutually inclusive. One of the core recovery goals for survivors of torture and trauma is to restore attachment and connections to other human beings who can offer emotional support and care. The ASeTTS Community Development Program offers a range of group activities to torture and trauma survivors and aims to assist and increase both the individual and community capacity to improve overall mental health, by identifying and building on internal strengths, resources and skills. The approach is holistic and takes into consideration the individual’s body, mind and spirit, and is considered integral to working with and reconnecting clients with their own communities, and the wider local community. The ASeTTS Community Development Program also aims to work with other service providers to respond to a wide range of community needs by providing culturally appropriate support and services.

Community development is a critical strategy in sustaining the support given to survivors of torture and trauma. Communities impacted by torture and trauma which are resilient are able to utilise their own strengths to support individuals and families and are empowered to engage with the relevant institutions and political and social processes in the wider Australian community to ensure that their interests are given due regard. ASeTTS is involved with a national community development project with other FASSTT (Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma) agencies which is developing a framework to guide the use of community development processes when working with communities which have been impacted by torture and trauma.

The Community Development Program involves working with emerging community groups. Currently ASeTTS is providing support to South Sudanese, Sierra Leonean and Liberian communities. ASeTTS offers office space to these communities. The three communities have also been invited to share in the ASeTTS Community building and the long term goal is to build community capacity, encourage community self determination and assist with the development of sustainable activities.

The Multicultural Women’s Group is held weekly on Fridays at the ASeTTS Community building. Women from a multitude of countries like South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Bosnia, Iran, Iraq, Columbia, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Burma participate in a range of craft and recreational activities. These include sewing, tile design, cooking, Yoga, embroidery, traditional dance, fabric painting, basket weaving, mosaics, jewellery making, quilting and tie dying. The Women’s group is supported by a trained facilitator and a pool of ASeTTS trained volunteers who offer assistance with sewing, relaxation massage, Reiki and child care.

The Multicultural Men’s Group meets weekly on Thursday at the ASeTTS Community building. The aim is to offer a range of activities which will build effective relationships with group members and in particular encourage friendship and participation, planning, decision making and develop self reliance. The group is open to all ASeTTS male clients who have survived torture and trauma. Men from countries like South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Bosnia, Iran, Iraq, Columbia, Chile, Afghanistan, Congo, Former Yugoslavia, and Burma participate in a range of activities. These include; gardening, cooking, craft, swimming, chess, games and excursions.

The Former Yugoslav Social Group meets weekly on Tuesdays at the ASeTTS Community Centre, and welcomes all men and women from the Former Yugoslavia who are aged over 40 years. Many of these clients are socially isolated and the aim is to offer a range of activities which will build effective relationships with group members and in particular encourage friendship and participation. The group has a calendar of activities, and includes movies, coffee and discussions groups, guest speakers, games, craft activities, excursions and day trips. Most group members speak little English and an ASeTTS trained bi-lingual worker facilitates the meetings.

The Interagency Networking Meeting for African Communities meets at ASeTTS on a monthly basis. The aim is for service providers to network, discuss issues that are raised within the African communities that they work with, and in turn work collaboratively in an effort to address current issues and reduce duplication of services. This provides members with a forum to share ideas and strategies.

For all enquiries, please contact Community Development Manager; Amanda Gillett who may be contacted directly Tel: 9227 2703. Fax: 9227 2777. Email: amanda.gillett@asetts.org.au