Project partners: MHSS, Hepatitis C Victoria, Mary of the Cross Centre, Mensline Australia, Doxa Youth Foundation
Bridging Differences, Enhancing Understanding was funded by the Victorian Department of Human Services to provide meaningful information about hepatitis and STI to refugee families.
Its aims were to:
- educate parents and young people about BBV and STI
- offer parenting strategies based on building protective factors
- assist young people to build communication skills and better relationships with parents
- provide an opportunity for families to talk about health and wellbeing
The Multicultural Health & Support Service organised two weekend camps: one for Iraqi families, and another for Somali and Eritrean families. These camps offered the opportunity to bring families together for both educational and social purposes.
Culturally appropriate health education sessions were delivered through:
- a range of speakers from several community organisations
- segmenting participants by gender and age when discussing sensitive topics
- using Arabic-speaking facilitators where necessary
- using trust exercises and role plays to develop communication skills
- using music and performance to engage young people
Feedback from young people and their parents indicated that community awareness of BBV and STI had greatly increased, and that they felt more comfortable talking to one another about these issues.
Bridging Differences in action
Watch a short DVD on the family camps.
DVD resource kit
MHSS has produced a DVD resource kit based on the Bridging Differences project, to support training on culturally appropriate health promotion.
You can download the facilitator's manual or order a free copy of the entire resource kit from MHSS . To order your copy contact Viv Fox on (03) 9342 9700 or enquiries@ceh.org.au