Who we are... What we do---
Persistent gaps in healthcare and socioeconomic capacities, and the provision of psychosocial support services for asylum seekers and refugees of Tamil speaking background have been identified. The high number of refugees in Western Sydney has impacted accessibility to services, employability, and socioeconomic status, further exacerbating their needs. Many of them have been isolated from their families indefinitely, and from the mainstream community in Australia due to multiple factors, socioeconomic status, emerging psychosocial issues, and language barrier. Providing care for vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees requires a rights-based approach with inclusiveness that recognizes the vision and capacity to serve the isolated communities.
A significant number of volunteers from the mainstream Tamil community have come forward to reach out to this vulnerable group of people to ensure that the people of Tamil heritage resettling in Australia are supported by the Tamil community in a culturally safe manner.
TAMIL COMPANION PROGRAM
For the past year TRACK Australia continued to proudly partner with STARTTS and Anglicare in the running of the pilot of its inaugural project, the Tamil Companion Program.
Committee Members –
2021/22
President
Dr Thava Seelan OAM
Vice President
Dr Lumina Titus
Secretary
Rishi Rishikesan
Treasurer
Jegan Jeyarasa
Community coordinator
Kumar Dhrmarajah
STARTTS Coordinator
Dr Iyingaran Selvaratnam
Anglicare Cordinator
Viji Dhayananthan
Background:
This program was initiated to support the needs of the many Tamil speaking refugees and asylum seekers in Australia whose residency status has not yet been determined by the Department of Immigration and have subsequently lived with prolonged uncertainty. Many of these refugees and asylum seekers are unable to access support services such as Medicare and Centrelink welfare support. Additionally, many do not have the right to work in Australia. These refugees in addition often feel isolated from family who are overseas and from the local community due to language barriers.
The combination of all these factors has seen an increase in mental health and substance use issues. The stigma attached to mental health issues within the Tamil Community further increases the reluctance of refugees to seek treatment regarding possible mental health issues.
Evidence clearly shows that social support networks play a central role in maintaining good mental health. The Tamil Companion Program was thus piloted by TRACK Australia to help link Tamil Refugees and Asylum Seekers experiencing significant mental health issues with a Companion to connect with to help break down social isolation and to help them on their journey with managing their own health and wellbeing.
Who is a Companion:
A Companion is a Tamil speaking volunteer from the local community who is paired with a Buddy. The companion will maintain weekly contact with the Buddy at a pre-arranged time. This occurs through face-to-face meetings in public place or by maintain phone/video contact where more appropriate. A buddy can also contact a companion at other agreed upon times for support when needed. Regular contact will enable a real friendship to develop with time and help build confidence and resilience for the buddy.
During these meetings Companions and Buddies may spend time having a chat over a cup of coffee or just enjoying a stroll in the park. Companions may also assist buddies with more practical challenges such as translating relevant community and health information and completing forms. A Companion can also help refer a Buddy to third party services for social, health and welfare supports, further increasing their support network. The companion chooses how they wish to help based on the individual needs of their buddy.
Buddies
Buddies are socially isolated Tamil-speaking refugees and asylum seekers who arrived in Australia after 2009. They are over 18 years of age and have significant mental health and/or physical health issues. They are referred to the program by their treating general practitioners who also provide ongoing support to the program.
2021-2022 Companion Program Overview
At the start of this management year, there were 6 companions connected to buddies. Currently there are 3 companions connected to buddies and 7 Companions waiting pairing with buddies. With a new revised program management structure to be implemented and the official Launch of TRACK Australia to occur in early 2023, we plan to increase the number of Companions allocated to buddies and manage the processes of the project more effectively.
The Tamil Companion Program operated throughout the past year with the core group of Companions attending monthly debrief meetings facilitated by the Tamil Companion Coordinating team with the assistance of a Counsellor from NSW STARTTS, who has been allocated to support the program. With the decline in companion numbers the debrief meetings were temporarily suspended in place of more direct one on one follow-up with companions by the Companion Program coordinators. With the onboarding of the next batch of Companions, debrief sessions are set to resume. Companions are also required to submit brief weekly online reports that helps the program coordinators monitor progress and better support buddies and companions.
There has been much positive anecdotal feedback from all involved in the program including Buddies, Companions and their treating General Practitioners. Improvements in mood, independence and social connections were noted, all in the context of the added challenges the COVID-19 pandemic presented. We plan to work on seeking more detailed qualitative and quantitative feedback regarding the program in the coming year as it expands.
President’s Report
2021/22 have been another challenging and interesting years for TRACK Australia. Just when we all thought that the pandemic that effected our community throughout 2020 was diminishing and that we would be able to return to a level of normalcy, further restrictions were introduced in NSW as a result of the COVID-19 Delta variant outbreak in Sydney in 2021. This saw not only another lockdown but also caused hardship to many people particularly community of asylum seekers background. TRACK Australia has moved quickly to support the people who were affected. With the generous contribution from general public, we were able to assist over 120 families with culturally appropriate dry foods for over three months during total lockdown period. In addition to this TRACK has been providing cooked food to households who were affected by COVID infection and those who were in isolation. I would like to acknowledge the donors, our committee member for their dedication, and commitment in achieving this, particularly our members who were on the ground aiding in high-risk setting.
During this lockdown period spread of COVID infection was high among the Tamil community of asylum seekers background. In controlling this public health threat, TRACK in collaboration with NSW health implemented many public health measures such as circulating short video material, virtual (Zoom) public health awareness workshops, regular COVID updates on social media (Anpukkarangal) and delivery of information sheets in Tamil language. We have successfully connected over 120 members in a WhatsApp group “Anpukkarangal” (Loving hands) which has been connecting our community. In 2022, once again we have been focussing on emotional wellbeing of the vulnerable people. More volunteers came forward to be companions and we have been pairing buddies from isolated persons from asylum seekers background with them.
One of the best highlights was “Friendship night” of 4th September 2022. Sponsored by Stockland grant and Anglicare, supported by over 25 energetic community volunteers from all walks of lives, and all age groups, the evening blossomed into a colourful yet a place where all guests felt a sense of belonging and security. From the feedbacks it appeared that all participants, guests and volunteers felt the event helped them to improve their emotional wellbeing. Many community members expressed interest in joining TRACK as members and we are a proud community who come together as one family and understand each other’s feelings and assist each other in the highest humanity spirit.
It has been a pleasure working with you all, in the last two years and looking forward to being part of our big family.
Dr Sithamparapillai Thava Seelan OAM
President
TRACK Projects
▪ Companion Project
Since its inception in November 2020, Tamil speaking volunteers have been paired with vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees to assist and improve the life and mental health of this group by providing one-on-one friendship and care through a volunteer companion. This project has been supported in partnership with Anglicare and STARTTS. Over 20 individuals are in this project.
▪ COVID Emergency food relief
TRACK Australia has responded to the call for help from the asylum seeker community who are affected by the consequences of the recent pandemic. Over 120 households (450 people) have been receiving culturally appropriate dry food parcels regularly since July 2021. Those who are unable to cook for themselves due to COVID infection, have been provided with daily fresh cooked food.
This has been possible due to the generous well-wishers from the community at large contributed to the fundraising drive that was commenced by TRACK in early July.
▪ Social cohesion
Addressing the serious issue of isolation experienced by this vulnerable group is imperative. Connecting the mainstream community with the isolated community of asylum seekers and refugees. The creation of a WhatsApp group aptly named “Anpukkarangal” (Loving hands) in early August 2021, connected over 140 individuals with community influencers. This enabled access to clear, concise reliable timely information regarding COVID related updates, and information. It allowed people to share information in a culturally and linguistically in a safe manner. We believe that through this process not only the communication at the grassroot level was established, but this communication channel also enhances trust, community connectedness and inclusiveness which in turn improves their psychosocial health.
▪ COVID related public health promotion
Reaching out to share COVID related information with asylum seekers and refugees of Tamil speaking background in Tamil.
In view of the recent surge of COVID infection and exposure amongst this community the following grassroot communication channels have been established.
1. Anpukkarangal WhatsApp group
2. Distribution of information sheets (with the food delivery)
3. Regular community awareness zoom meetings – Thanks to our healthcare
providers who volunteer to be on the panel.
4. Using digital resources and community video promos on COVID information prepared by community leaders and Multicultural NSW using social media – WhatsApp group and Facebook.
Friendship Night
On 4th September 2022 TRACK has organized “Friendship Night” a mental health awareness event combined with cultural programs to the vulnerable community funded by Stockland grant and Anglicare, which was well received by the attendees. The event was planned and organized by over 25 volunteers who have selflessly contributed their service
Our Volunteers
Chitta Mylvaganam Vasee Rajadurai
Sumana Kodi
Lankan Bal
Yoharanee Bal
Thirushanthi Ghandiji
Pathma Janarthanan
Yalini Mayurathas
Tharmitha Puvanesarajah
Shanthini Seelan
Mayuria Mayurathas
Sivagowry Sivakumar
Nalayini Sugirthan
Sujan
We rise by lifting others ...................
Amazing TRACK Australia Volunteers
Our volunteers have various skillsets, experiences including those from asylum seeker background. The experience they had in putting together to make “Friendship Night” held on 4th September 2022, a resounding success make these faces smile. We have witnessed the community come together in support and unity. Volunteering not only helps to uplift fellow humans from our community in our own backyard but make the volunteers feel sense of satisfaction, accomplishment, and increased self-confidence.
