For six years, the Syriac Seniors Group has been providing a space for people of Syriac and Iraqi backgrounds to socialise, strengthen their connection to community and strengthen their capacity to overcome impacts of trauma in their lives.
Foundation House community liaison worker Kifarkis Nissan, who facilitates the group, said the Syriac community is still new and emerging in Melbourne’s west and can often lack connection.
“…So we try to build that connection,” he said.
Along with social connection, he said the group acts as a platform to “bridge the gap” between the new community and service providers.
The group regularly invites providers across a range of services such as migration, centrelink or parenting to teach the members how to engage, so the members can then go on and teach their extended community about the services.
Mr Nissan said the group is also keen to establish two way communication and share their experience with service providers.
“I’ve been working with this group for 5 years, I myself feel a part of it,” he said.
“Some are coming from very high educational backgrounds… They always have a passion to learn, interact, ask questions and provide their knowledge.
“The Syriac community astonish me, their commitment and participation and passion to learn… They want their voice to be heard.”
The group meets every fortnight at the Stevenson House Community Centre in Caroline Springs.
Most recently, the group hosted a representative from IPC Health to provide information on aged care services on July 27.
Syriac community interested in joining should contact Kirfakis.
Details: nissank@foundationhouse.org.au or 0459 596 940
