Ongoing need to learn English
Issue of safety and security in public housing and in daily life
Issue of unaffordable driving lessons for adults
Interest in English speaking conversation classes
We have already started to act upon the identified needs: we are
currently liaising with teachers, coordinators, government depart-
ments and other community organisations to respond to them.
Community Needs Assessment volunteers: Interns Esther Sadek and
Dalia El-sharnouby
Sewing class
FLN sewing classes run weekly for our community of refugee and
newly arrived migrants. This year, we had around 10 regular students
coming to class to learn basic sewing skills (e.g. repairs, personalised
patterns etc.), and the use of sewing machines to produce items such
as bags and toys. They also explored the art of creative jewellery in
textile and created decorations for Bridges to Harmony 2017, our
festival promoting diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism.
Sewing class teacher: Sharmaine Cornell
Sewing class support volunteers: Margaret Trainor, Tuan Ibrahim
Foodbank:
In partnership with Secondbite and now Ozharvest, FLN continues to
provide to our students and clients quality food rescued from mar-
kets and supermarkets. Each week, we sort and distribute fruits veg-
etables, bread, yoghurt, milk and dry food to anyone registered to
the program. We also save food items to support our Clubhouse
Youth Program’s healthy cooking class.
Current Foodbank volunteers: Sophie Clark, Rebecca Harvey
Skills2Connect
FLN delivers the Skills2Connect program (former FLN 1:1 tutoring), a
program aiming to match skilled volunteers from the community
with newly arrived refugees and migrants seeking mentoring to learn
particular skills, to work on individual goals or to develop community
projects. assisting women’s groups to plan and run social activities
Currently, we have around 35 mentors providing support, guidance
and encouragement, building long-term relationships that help com-
munity members overcome cultural barriers, isolation, limited skills
and lack of confidence. Our mentors are providing support in differ-
ent areas such as:
project planning and grant applications to secure funds for
written English support and homework tutoring
support with resumes and finding employment
opportunities
Skills2Connect mentors: Aidan Knight, Alma Gill, Alexander
Byers, Annabelle Goldworthy, Brad Krauskoph, Chloe Pearse,
Chris Hrynevich, Danny Rey-Conde, Deb Dearnley, Emma
Gibbs, Elisha Wilson, Rebecca Harvey, Hilary Yamakasi, Irene
Opper, Jenny Norvick, Jo Mcdonald, Julianne McNally, Katie
Roberts-Hull, Katja Bizilij, Laura Sullivan, Marion Singer,
Mark Cross, Natalie De Niese, Nerida Heyward, Nicholas
Rodda, Oliver Bleakley, Peter Jamieson, Phoebe Williams,
Sophia Kato, Sonya Palmer, Sue Paul, William De Sousa,
Yvette Walker, Zev Tropp
community groups to run their activities
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