MEMBERSHIP: Associate Member

Improving experiences of refugee, asylum seeker and migrant families in Greater Shepparton and beyond.

Who are the Wise Well Women?

Community Health Educators (CHE) support organisations who are working with multicultural families and communities, to understand different health beliefs, cultural practices and social circumstances that may affect decision making.

A CHE can go beyond the bounds of word-for-word interpreting by enabling workers to share information and engage with clients in a culturally sensitive way, and while doing this the CHE supports an individual, family or community seek clarification for improved understanding and decision making.

By using this approach, we aim to:

• improve the health literacy of multicultural communities.
• improve the health literacy environment communities interact with.
• provide recognition of the essential connecting role CHEs have in supporting effective and culturally appropriate communication between service providers and the communities and proper remuneration for their skill and expertise.

Women in the Wise Well Women team speak over 20 languages and a come from 18 different countries of origin.

Examples of how WWW can support engagement with communities:

• Providing cultural consultations to practitioners prior to meeting with clients to discuss cultural norms, beliefs, and presenting issues in preparation for direct client work.
• Attending home visits, medical appointments, school meetings or similar with clients and practitioners to support engagement and information sharing.
• Attendance with staff at local services, such as Community Hubs and playgroups, to inform community members about the services and support that an organisation can provide for families and the different cultural groups.
• Supporting staff and/or co-facilitating the delivery of skill development, group programs, or consultations.
• Providing advice on language appropriate for local communities, translating key messages and delivering them orally via social media groups used by communities.
• Reviewing materials or resources to assess relevance, accessibility, and cultural safety.

CHEs have taken part in Community Health Educator and Peer Supporter training, many are working towards NAATI accreditation combined with other accredited training in community, family, disability and aged care services, nursing, allied health and more while working in other organisations, volunteering in their community and raising a family.

To discuss how WWW can assist your organisation and obtain a quote contact:

Christine Nunn 0418 106 199 christine.nunn@bigpond.com
Eman Al Abbassi 0423 193 447 emanrahim_1@hotmail.com