A Simple Guide on Caring with Cultural Sensitivity for New Carers.

Inside you will find two activities and two resources that may be of help for first time carers or can serve as an inspiration for a new activity for the carer and the client. * All of the hotlines and direct links to appropriate services and as well as contact details of cultural community groups are all based in Melbourne, Victoria only.

Language Barrier issues? Finding the right language services can be vital when building a rapport with a client and their family if they are newly arrived migrants and English is not their first language. Connecting them to the right support group and cultural group would also be ideal. https://ccca.com.au/

For first time carers of someone from a different cultural background, it can be a real challenge to communicate and find a common ground. So it would be handy to know how to contact a phone based interpreter that can be accessed when trouble arises. Language barrier should be addressed on the first meeting and the appropriate interpreter or translator is vital. Here are some phone numbers of local companies that provide translation and interpreter services: * Victorian Interpreting and Translation Services +61 3 9280 1941 http://www.vits.com.au/ * Translationz +61 3 9034 5299 http://www.translationz.com.au/ * InterpreterLine 1300 739 731 http://interpreterline.com.au/contact-us-2/

Setting goals together. One way of engaging with the client is setting goals and aspiring to achieve something. Even if it is a small thing like learning a new sport or going to a park or going to the cinemas. Finding ways to engage them in something completely new can be healthy distraction and could count for a positive change. Small workable goals is the way to go. Activity 1 : Learning how to take the public transport. May it be the Train or the Bus. One way to make trips more enjoyable is looking outside the bus and learning the route to the desired destination. Teach them how to top up their Myki cards and let the practice on the machines and allow them to experience how to be a daily commuter even just once in a while. Guide them on how to get a hold of the map and teach them how to locate their destination and how to get back home if they get lost. This is also accessible for individuals or groups with disability as all trains, trams and buses all have wheelchair ramps. You can find Timetables and Journey Planner and information of the Myki System on the link below: Public Transport Victoria: https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/

Setting goals together. Activity 2: Learning how to read and write in English. This activity can be done at home or by contacting appropriate services that can be of help. If the client has expressed their desire to take that step forward to learn the English language then do encourage them and support them. Help them find a book that they might want to learn to read or if they are a total beginner even just purchasing a new notebook and some stationary can be very empowering for some new immigrants. Never put them down even if the process can be tedious because even a small step can already be a big achievement for them. Going to these English classes with them can provide them with some comfort and support and if you aren’t allowed inside the classes even just taking them to the classes and picking them up again is still a step closer to the goal. Here is the website for an organization the Teaches English and provides Literacy Classes: AMES http://www.ames.net.au/ Melbourne Language Centre http://www.melblang.com.au/

Awareness and Willingness Taking time to understand and learn the culture and the ways of living of your client should be somewhere at the top of your priority, because showing the you care about how you provide your care is always appreciated. Different cultures have different influences, for example the Faith and spiritual beliefs of the client could be the centre of who they are as a person. Therefor maybe attending prayer masses and special religious occasion would be a big deal to them. Below are can find some websites that provide Prayer times, Special Religious Holidays and Cultural Centres and Other Festivals that you can use as your resources to access some vital information to make yourself equipped for whenever there are some questions thrown at you unexpectedly. The Mardi Gras Festival : http://www.mardigras.org.au/ Praying Schedules and Contact numbers for the Islamic Community : http://www.islamicfinder.org/prayerDetail.php?country=australia&city=Melbourne http://www.icv.org.au/

Awareness and Willingness Sunday Vigils / Mass for the Christian and Catholic Community : http://www.cam.org.au/Church-in-Melbourne/Parishes-Mass-Times https://hillsong.com/melbourne/ Shabbat Times for the Jewish Community: http://www.jewishaustralia.com/?Page=prayer http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/australia/yom-kippur http://www.chabad.org/calendar/candleLighting_cdo/c/327/jewish/Candle-Lighting.htm List of Hindu Temples and Prayer gatherings: http://singh.com.au/hindu-temples-mandirs-in-melbourne-victoria/ http://hinduheritage.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&Itemid=82&catid=38&id=75&view=ar ticle