WestSeed: Passionate groups supporting quality education
There are some passionate groups in Melbourne’s west who are supporting vulnerable community members to access quality education.
Quality Education is the UN Sustainable Development Goal no.4. It plays a key role in assisting people to escape poverty and to enable socioeconomic movement. Regardless of its importance, in 2018 the United Nations reported more than 260 million children worldwide were not attending school.
In Australia, although more than 90% of children in Grade 5 attended school, the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the population to new and unfamiliar challenges.
School closures and moving children to a digital and home learning environment has meant that many parents have been forced to adjust to a new ‘normal’ of supervising their children's learning. In many cases they must juggle working themselves or looking after younger children.
Teachers have also had to adjust their planning, teaching styles and find new ways to engage their students to support not only their academic wellbeing, but also their social and emotional wellbeing.
A survey by The University of Melbourne in 2020 found that “Three out of four of the primary and secondary school teachers surveyed were of the view that the remote learning would negatively affect students’ emotional wellbeing to some degree.”
Minority groups are particularly vulnerable, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, or newly arrived migrants.
Fortunately, there are several volunteer involving organisations who are working to help these families by providing several services, including:
Homework clubs
One on One remote learning support
Student mentors
English language skills
Social events including community BBQ's
Want to know more about these amazing organisations? Check out our list below...
African Australian Network in Victoria Inc.
African Australian Network in Victoria, a member of the United Nations, aim to provide poverty relief and to help people achieve their goals, to improve their overall wellbeing. They have 60 volunteers working in the organisation, helping people fill out forms, find childcare, jobs and housing and assisting young people with homework. Their targets and goals are to make sure we are creating better living standards for our fellow humans.
Phone: 0431 465 498
For over 100 years Girl Guides Victoria have been providing fantastic opportunities for girls and women to meet personal challenges. Guides develop confidence, self-reliance, learn team building and leadership skills – all while making new friends and having fun. Guides learn by doing, with every activity bringing a new personal adventure for both girls and women alike. The Unit is guided by its members and what they want to explore. With help from their Unit Leader, Girl Guides are given the space to try everything from community service to crafts and cooking, to camping and canoeing.
The group (5- to 11-years-old) meets every Thursday from 6pm to 8pm.
Phone: 0418 536 084
Email: carolynm8@bigpond.com
CHASE | Community Health Advancement and Student Engagement
CHASE is an innovative charity that aims to empower the next generation of young Victorians through health education and community engagement. They achieve this by partnering with schools and community organisations across Melbourne’s most underprivileged suburbs.
Derrimut Residents Welfare Association Inc. (DRWA)
The Derrimut Residents Welfare Association believe in working together for the benefit of the Brimbank community. They network closely with other community groups within Brimbank to organise information workshops available to all members of the community and are involved in organising events to bring the community together, such as the community BBQ at Keilor Downs Police Station. They are an all-inclusive organisation promoting and organising events to attract participation of children, youth, adults and seniors from various communities.
Phone: 0469 710 319
Email: barrypalta777@gmail.com
Duke Street Community House is not for profit, incorporated community organisation that has been delivering local, high-quality, low-cost programs and services to our community since 1973. They conduct a range of educational courses as well as a broad range of exciting leisure programs at a low cost. They believe that the services and courses they conduct, contribute to the well-being and collective wealth and health of the community.
Phone: 9311 9973
Email: rajdeep.kang@dsch.org.au
EdConnect is a charity that trains, supports and places volunteers in local schools to improve the lives of vulnerable students. They connect volunteers who want to make a difference, with young people in school who need extra help and guidance, be it mentoring or learning support.
Phone: 1800 668 550
Learning for Employment Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) Volunteer Tutor Scheme
This program is to assist adult migrants and refugees acquire English language skills as well as help them find links to their community and understand Australian values and culture. With the assistance of volunteer tutors, it helps a range of students with settlement and employment in their new country.
The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is a free service funded by the Australian Government to help eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants with low English levels to improve their English language skills and settle into Australia. By assisting them to learn basic English skills enables them to successfully participate socially and economically in Australian society.
Tutors meet with students either in the students’ homes or another mutually agreed location or online for at least one hour a week for six months.
Phone: 1300 253 053
The Sunshine Street Band meet fortnightly at St Albans Community Centre every Tuesday fortnight from 7-9pm and it open to players of all skill levels and ability. It's free and fun. There is no eligibility or audition process and if you’d like to join, just come along!
Sunshine Youth Space offers a safe, apolitical and non-religious space for youths aged between 12 and 25 years of age, to participate in free sports and other activities. It opened its doors in 2018 to address the gaps in youth services after a series of consultations between Brimbank Youth Services and Sunshine Uniting Church.
Sunshine Youth Space also provides The Youth Business Program, which supports youth led businesses by offering free marketing opportunities to increase their customer base and sales target.
They also have helped students with different school subjects during lockdowns and this free program is still continuing!
Opening Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3pm to 6pm.
All programs are run by an enthusiastic group of volunteers.
Phone: 0438 611 680
YouthNow are a dynamic social change agency dedicated to co-designing effective training & employment services for youth in Melbourne's west.
Phone: (03) 8311 5800
Email: info@youthnow.org.au
Altona Library English Conversation Club
Is English your new language? Improve your speaking at the weekly Conversation Class hosted by the Hobsons Bay Refugee Network. This is a free class, with tea, coffee and biscuits are provided.
Phone: 1300 462 542
South Kingsvale Community Centre (SKCC) provides a range of services for people from birth to mature age, including maternal and child health, kindergarten, occasional childcare, playgroup, senior citizens activities, social, educational and recreational programs, and information and referral services.
Phone: 93993000
Email: admin@skcc.net.au
The purpose of U3A Altona is to promote lifelong learning and social interaction amongst their members in a healthy and active semi-retirement or retirement. They want to maintain and develop their skills while ensuring an affordable, safe and stress-free environment, and share their knowledge and skills with each other in an equal and voluntary capacity
Phone: 0428 846 243
Email: peterjudeb@yahoo.com.au
U3A Moonee Valley Incorporated is a voluntary, not-for-profit community organisation which provides educational programs to promote healthy, active ageing and opportunities for lifelong learning. Membership is open to anyone over 50 years who is retired or semi-retired.
Phone: 03 9337 7779
Email: info@u3amooneevalley.com.au
Williamstown Little Theatre presents high quality, affordable theatre productions to their local community and beyond. They present five productions each year, of 16 performances each. Any production involves so much more than acting and directing, and they welcome people who'd like to join in, or learn about, aspects such as set building, technical operation, backstage, costuming or Front of House.
Zonta Club of Melbourne's West Inc.
The Zonta Club of Melbourne’s West (Inc.) is a member of Zonta International, a global service organisation of professionals working together across political and social boundaries to advance the status of women through service and advocacy.
Zonta club members volunteer their time, ideas and skills to raise funds and conduct activities to support projects and awards for the benefit of women and their families in the local community and for Zonta International service programs which improve the situations of women in developing countries.
Phone: 0411 607 995
Email: zontamelbwest@gmail.com
Gateways Support Services
Gateways is recognised and respected for ou expertise in supporting children and adults with a broad range of disabilities including autism, intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, challenging behaviours and complex medical needs. They are committed to providing quality, safety and wellbeing to every person they support.
They currently provide services throughout the Barwon region, Wyndham, western Melbourne, Warrnambool and Southwest Victoria with offices in Geelong, Werribee, Footscray, and Warrnambool.
Services includes early intervention and therapy, support coordination, group recreation and skill development activities, individual in-home support as well as parent support and education, day activities, housing and support for adults as well as children in out of home care.
Western Melbourne Office
Phone: 0393961111
Werribee Office
Phone: 0397497388
Oromo Refugee Service Association
Oromo refugee services Association (ORSA) is a not-for profit organisation and it has established with the main objective of supporting Oromo refugees in any field of resettlement process that they be able to help in our jurisdiction.
Phone: 0412563474
Email: oromoaus@gmail.com
St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria
The program assists students with literacy and numeracy, as well as general social, emotional and academic support. This holistic approach helps to improve overall educational outcomes. Their paid coordinator and trained volunteers provide a friendly learning environment. The education program team aims to improve the learning skills and attitudes of students, increase confidence when interacting with adult volunteers and peers, encourage collaboration, promote social inclusion, develop a growth mindset and showcase best learning practices. They cover areas including Maidstone and Melton.
Phone: 1300 736 933
Email: volunteer@svdp-vic.org.au
United Spanish Latin American Welfare Centre Inc
United, Spanish Latin American Welfare Centre is the go-to organisation for the Spanish speakers in Victoria.
UNITED provides a wide range of aged care services and support services, prioritising the Spanish speaking community. Their services are culturally and linguistically appropriate for all the different communities in Victoria.
For 40 years, they have worked towards creating a healthy and resilient community in wide range of areas to help all round development.
Phone: 9318 2949
Email: info@united.org.au
The Yarraville Community Centre is a vibrant community hub that provides education, training and support to more than 2000 people each week.
As a community-managed adult education provider in western metropolitan Melbourne, they offer a wide range of courses. But there’s much more.
They provide community services such as free public access to computers, occasional childcare and service referrals. They can develop curriculum and manage projects.
Phone: 9687 1560
Email: info@ycc.net.au
Australian Integrated Fijian Association of Victoria Inc. (AIFAV)
AIFAV works intensively in partnership with many prominent community groups on diverse projects to develop and empower community mobilization. AIFAV are a very enthusiastic group with various plans and projects in mind with the main focus of enhancing integration and development activities for special kids, youths and senior citizens. One strong partnership is with The Australian Integrated Care Services organisation, to provide workshops, activities and events for special needs individuals and their families and carers.
AIFAV has united, passionate and devoted individuals from various ethnic backgrounds aimed at addressing and making desired improvements to community’s growing needs and service functionality. Their objective is to connect people and communities geographically, psychosocially, culturally, spiritually, and/or digitally whilst promoting diversity, multiculturalism and cohesion.
Phone: 0401 828 906
Email: secretary@aifav.com.au
Bridge Road Children & Community Centre
The Bridge Road Children’s and Community Centre in Melton is an ideal space for the Atherstone community to gather and interact. It is a space specifically designed to encourage neighbours and friends in Atherstone and its surrounds to come and spend time together in a safe and friendly environment. The centre offers an outlet for community members to learn new and exciting things through programs, activities and events.
All the activities at Bridge Road Children’s and Community Centre are purposefully low cost to encourage everyone to join in. Learning programs at Bridge Road are offered by local community members, local businesses as well as the Community Activation & Learning Officer who is based on site.
The community can get involved in exercise classes, community groups, art classes, singing groups, dancing and more. There are many special events held at Bridge Road throughout the year.
Phone: 0409 451 235
Email: BrionyS@melton.vic.gov.au
Djerriwarrh delivers a range of education, training, employment and youth specific programs for local communities that are funded by State and Federal Government Departments. The Homework Club provides a safe and supportive out-of-school learning environment where primary or junior secondary students, can participate in educational activities to learn, connect and grow. The program runs during school terms on Thursdays from 3:30-5:00pm, for children from the South Sudanese community. They offer enriching hands-on activities as well as academic development. This program is assisted by enthusiastic volunteers who have an interest in supporting these young people with their homework.
Phone: 0422 040 046
Email: katyl@djerriwarrh.org
Dinka Ethnic School of Victoria Inc
Dinka Ethnic School of Victoria Inc is a language school dedicated to deliver classified and professional Dinka Language to Dinka Speaking groups from Sudan. They also run sports activities and lessons teaching traditional Dinka music and dance. The Dinka Ethnic School of Victoria Inc is accredited by the State Education Department.
Phone: 0422 282 621
Email: makucdeng@live.com.au
Edmund Rice Community and Refugee Services
Edmund Rice Community and Refugee Services provides free learning support and a range of social services contributing to the lives of young people experiencing disadvantage as a result of their Refugee and Migrant background. This includes a homework club, tutoring programs and mentoring.
Phone: 9366 6436
Email: refugees.vic@edmundrice.org
Encompass Community Services Hub
Encompass Community Services is a multi-faceted and diverse organisation. For over 35 years they have been offering a broad range of services and support to people living with disabilities and helping the disadvantaged within the community.
They run a wide variety of programs and services including Encompass College of Education & Training, Disability Employment Services, NDIS Services (Life Skills & Flexible Supports, Recreation & Travel, In Home Care & Domestic Supports, Accommodation Services), Support Coordination, and Social Enterprises (pre-loved furniture shop, pre-loved clothing shops, café, farm).
Encompass values the roles their volunteers perform, and they are committed to providing equal opportunities for all. With over 30% of Encompass’ staff having a disability, Encompass puts it ethics into practise.
Phone: 0433 566 575
Email: jorge@encompass-cs.org.au
Junubi Wyndham (JW) connects South Sudanese youth with education, employment and their community through sport and recreational activities, mentoring, family support and youth outreach. JW is funded by the Office of Youth, auspiced by Wyndham Community & Education Centre Inc (Wyndham CEC) and managed and staffed by people from South Sudanese backgrounds and has a focus on building the capacity of individuals and community through youth outreach, case management, and family financial support.
Phone: (03) 9742 4013
Email: csg@wyndhamcec.org.au
The Ladies Club 60 has been running for 5 years and provides a space for women aged 50+ to gather weekly at Penrose Community Centre, to build their social connections and life skills. Their aim is to pull together a group of like-minded women and offer activities such as games, crafts, guest speakers and information sessions to meet their current needs as well as offer programs to improve their wellbeing.
Meet every Monday, except 1st Monday of every month, from 12pm to 2pm.
Phone: 0488 251 459
Email: ladiesclub60@gmail.com
The Oromo Women’s Networking Group & Wyndham Bright Young Leaders Program
The aim of this group is to bring my community together, to stay connected to the local community centre and get support, understand differences, mix with diverse people, learn about cultural barriers and understand more about the Australian lifestyle.
Email: rahima1987@yahoo.com.au
Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition (VIRWC)
Every week, over 150 women meet and talk, laugh and share their stories with each other. They arrange for Information Sessions and Workshops on several topics to inform and connect women to service providers state-wide and in the local area. Women come out of their homes and into the community each week to build friendships and reduce social isolation. They celebrate culture and share traditional foods. They have in excess of 10 groups running every week in different areas of Melbourne.
Phone: 0422 062 521 or 0432 489 584
Email: projects@virwc.org.au
The organisations listed above are part of WestSeed 1.0.
See all the WestSeed blogs to get inspired by the wonderful organisations in Melbourne’s west.