Helping refugees in deeper ways - A story from a You Belong volunteer
“Hi, my name is Nick and I am helping Yazidi refugees settle in my city of Toowoomba, Queensland. My wife and I are volunteers with You Belong - helping with transport and English classes. I am writing my story to help others understand how they might be able to help newly arrived refugees in deeper ways - as most refugees usually have major language challenges and do not know how Australian systems/processes work and what questions to ask.
Each week my wife and I visit a Yazidi couple (in their 50s) in their home to connect and teach conversational English. We have become good friends with this couple despite the language challenges. We use Google Translate (Arabic), small A4 whiteboards, and act out or demonstrate words and phrases. The refugee wife (Mrs. H) has a lot of back pain. Recently You Belong provided us with an excellent translator for a session, and what a blessing it was! We were able to ask so many questions about her back pain and the Job-active & Disability Employment Services provider she has. We were able to learn that Mrs H had a metal plate put in her back from surgery in Iraq 5 years ago, and that it needed to be taken out one day. I learnt so much from that session and saw some opportunities where I could make a difference in her life.
I went with Mrs. H for her next GP appointment to see if there was anything more that could be done for her back to check the titanium metal plate that may be the reason for her constant pain. I prepared a signed and dated statement for the GP in case he had problems with me speaking for her. The statement identified me and stated Mrs. H had agreed for me to ask questions on her behalf. It also provided my contact details, three referees and my questions. The GP was great and he totally accepted my presence and my statement. It was very useful as he asked Mrs. H all my questions through a superb translator who was on speaker phone. I could hear everything and we received satisfactory answers to most questions. The GP went back went to Mrs H’s X-rays and reports and decided she needs to see a surgeon for a full review. Mrs H got a referral to a surgeon and now has additional painkillers that can be used when the pain is not managed by her other medication.
For Mrs H, our interactions became game changers for her pain management and daily life. My advice for anyone who has established a good relationship with a refugee and has concerns about their current situation to have a solid Q&A session with a You Belong translator to more fully understand any problems they have. From there you can decide if, and how, you might be able to help. “ - Nick Crowther
Being understood, and getting connected to the right services, can be life-changing for a newly settled refugee. You Belong runs English classes, friendship groups, Post-trauma growth programs, driving lessons as well as connecting with former refugees in their homes. Please contact us at info@youbelong.org.au if you know of anyone who may require extra support, or could benefit from You Belong’s initiatives in Toowoomba region.
