Theme 3 – Accessibility and participation

Research shows that multicultural communities face differences in accessing services, volunteering opportunities and civic participation. This can be because of socioeconomic status, discrimination, lack of participation opportunities and a lack of culturally appropriate services.

Feedback from our community highlighted:

• some multicultural community members are experiencing social isolation and loneliness. This can include those with limited English proficiency, networks and family support.
• the importance of programs for newly arrived migrants, such as English conversation classes and first parent groups in languages other than English. These programs were seen as an opportunity to meet new people, develop skills and increase confidence so community members could participate in the community.
• programs that encourage intergenerational connections such as storytime at libraries and inclusion of grandparents in parent and playgroups are important for keeping cultural traditions and languages alive.

Factors that can improve social inclusion and integration include participating in volunteering opportunities and membership of a sporting club or community organisation. For example, for members of newly arrived communities, volunteering can offer opportunities to experience Australian workplace culture, practice language skills, increase their social and community connections and understand Australian systems.

Strategic Objective 3: Boroondara’s multicultural communities participate in all aspects of Boroondara community life.

Programming

Early years

Our early years programs:

• Hold Chinese facilitated playgroups at North Balwyn and Greythorn Maternal and Child Health Service for parents who speak Chinese as their first language.
• Support an Arabic speaking playgroup in North Balwyn.
• Respond to community requests for parent groups and playgroups in languages other than English.
• Hold weekly Chinese storytime sessions in English and Mandarin for children 0 to 5 years at Greythorn Library Lounge.

Libraries and learning

Our libraries and learning programs:

• Provide library collections in languages other than English.
• Hold weekly English conversations classes facilitated by a qualified tutor at Balwyn and Kew Libraries.

Youth

Our Youth programs:

• Support newly arrived international students with life skills, connections to services and opportunities to meet other people through activities at the Boroondara Youth Hub.
• Attend Swinburne University of Technology’s international student’s orientation open day to share information about Council services, programs and facilities.

Sport, recreation and leisure

Our sport, recreation and leisure programs:

• Support clubs to participate in the Inclusive Clubs Program and use the Boroondara Sport and Recreation Inclusion Guide and Assessment to make their club more inclusive for people from multicultural communities.
• Through our partner agency, provide swimming lessons for community members at higher risk of drowning due to limited swimming ability and water safety knowledge.
• Encourage the use of Council’s sporting facilities by multicultural groups.

Active ageing

Our active ageing programs:

• Provide capacity building workshops for seniors in languages other than English where needed on topics such as governance and community grants.
• Promote multicultural seniors clubs to the community.
• Encourage and promote multicultural seniors clubs cultural events.

Grants

Our grants programs:

• Support community organisations and people from multicultural backgrounds to apply for grants through the Community Strengthening Grants, Individual Participation Grants and the Community Arts Venue Grants for programs and activities that promote health, wellbeing and social inclusion for people of all ages from multicultural communities.

Economic development

Our economic development programs:

• Provide free, confidential business mentoring sessions to assist new and established local business owners to address challenges and explore opportunities. The sessions can be delivered in English, Malay, Mandarin, Cantonese or Hokkien.

Capacity building, planning and partnerships

Our capacity building, planning and partnerships programs:

• Provide cultural awareness training for community groups, organisations and businesses to improve the inclusion of multicultural communities.
• Collaborate with local organisations, businesses, and government agencies to develop services and programs that meet the diverse needs of multicultural communities.
• Apply for grants for activities that improve the health, wellbeing and inclusion of multicultural communities through Council’s programs and services.
• Collaborate with local services, community organisations and multicultural community members to address and advocate on issues such as family violence, mental health and elder abuse.

Key Actions