UPDATE: The Australian Multicultural Community Centre (AMCC) has just secured $10,000 annually from the Hume Council, ensuring the growth of a vital connection hub for multicultural unpaid carers through 2029. This funding was officially presented in February, marking a significant boost for community support efforts.
The hub, located in Roxburgh Park, serves as a crucial safe space for multicultural carers, fostering inclusivity and support. AMCC director Katey Ahmed emphasized the importance of this funding, stating, “We’re building that confidence with the multicultural community to access services, to ask questions and to be heard.”
With this funding, the AMCC plans to enhance its offerings, including one-on-one mentoring with social workers, gardening initiatives, and meditation sessions. “The gardening space will also raise awareness about food security and how to cultivate your own garden,” Ahmed explained.
The hub has seen a steady attendance of 40 unpaid carers weekly over the past year. Many of these individuals have experienced significant isolation, often feeling uncomfortable approaching service providers for assistance. “They sometimes have to build relations and meet with other people because they are caring all the time,” Ahmed noted, highlighting the emotional toll on these individuals.
The initiative has already fostered a sense of community among the carers, with many exchanging contact information and continuing their support networks beyond the hub’s walls. “It was really great to see people feeling comfortable to reach out, building that trust together, sharing experiences and knowledge,” Ahmed added.
In a move to celebrate unity and diversity, the AMCC will host a tour of the Hume Council offices on March 26 as part of Cultural Diversity Week. The weekly meetings for the Connecting Carers: Hume Carers Group occur every Thursday from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM at the Homestead Community and Learning Centre in Roxburgh Park. This free hub is open to all unpaid carers residing in the Hume municipality.
As the AMCC continues to provide essential support and resources, the impact of this funding will resonate strongly within the multicultural community, helping to combat isolation and enhance the quality of life for unpaid carers.
For more details, visit: Connecting Carers: Hume Carers Group.
