The Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) supports by recruiting and matching volunteers to provide friendship and companionship through volunteer visits to care recipients of Australian Government funded residential aged care and home care packages who are isolated or at risk of social isolation or loneliness.

Volunteers are an essential part of Sydney MCS and we are very grateful to have volunteers continuing their services with some volunteers who have been active in our system for over five years. Our volunteers develop positive friendships with elderly clients which help with reducing loneliness and isolation. Most of our volunteers are bilingual migrant refugees who visit the elderly recipients that help them with integrating into Australian culture by giving them tips and tricks. The CVS service we deliver benefits both sides, for the visiting volunteers as well as the recipients. We are thankful to our volunteers for their dedication and contribution.

2022 marks 30 Years of CVS. To celebrate 30 Years of CVS, we have gathered some stories about the endearing bond between our volunteers and recipients below. 

‘It’s okay to put yourself first’ is the message for this year’s Women’s Health Week. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health together with Sydney MCS are encouraging  women to join the week to find the support, connection and information they need to be healthy in mind and body.

Sydney MCS is a Community Partner of Women’s Health Week 2022 and will join Jean Hailes in celebrating the campaign’s 10^th year. Women’s Health Week is the biggest week in Australia dedicated to good health and wellbeing for women, girls and gender-diverse people, and supporting the people who care for them.

Sydney MCS is pleased to be working alongside Jean Hailes to spread important health messages throughout our multicultural community.

According to Janet Michelmore AO, CEO Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, the health awareness campaign is a perfect time for women to put themselves, and their health, first.

“This Women’s Health Week we also want women to know they are not alone, and getting together to support each other is a great step to good health.” says Ms Michelmore.

To help women learn more, have some fun and take the steps for good health, Sydney MCS is hosting a Morning Tea during Women’s Health Week.

DATE & TIME: Wednesday 7 September, 10 am – 12 pm

WHERE: 3 General Bridges Crescent, Daceyville 2032

WHAT: We will be joined by Dr. Aajuli Shukla, NSW Health Educator from The Water Well Project. Aajuli is passionate about health promotion, and as an immigrant herself, she is looking forward to facilitating a health information session for women from our multicultural community. She is a General Practitioner with several years of experience in managing acute and chronic conditions, and will provide important tips on maintaining good health at all ages, as well as guidance on navigating Australian health services.

WHY: Sydney MCS believes in helping women in our community live happy and healthy lives.

For more information and to register your attendance to our Women’s Health Week Morning Tea, contact our office on 02 9663 3922 or email info@sydneymcs.org.au.

Sydney Multicultural Community Services (SMCS) welcomes new bilingual caseworkers to our team with Burak Alobaide and Rain Lau commencing work in the Daceyville head office this July. 

Sydney Multicultural Community Services (SMCS) congratulates Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his team on winning the federal election of a Labor Government. 

“I hold positive regard for the Australian Labour Party (ALP) for being the initiators of social support programs. We look forward to working with the new government on funding better services and programs like ours, such as disability, health, settlement services and refugee services. I am hopeful that the Labor Government will better support our programs and services in the upcoming years.” said Ms Rosa Loria, CEO Sydney Multicultural Community Services.

Ms Loria said throughout the years, millions of refugees have fled from areas of conflict and violence like Syria, Iraq, Myanmar, the Latin American turmoil, from the Ukraine War and the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Resettlement for refugees is now more important than ever.

Sydney MCS is committed to a world where human rights can be enjoyed by all. SMCS always sided with organisations and campaigns to make sure Government honour and protect the rights of refugees. The last 20 years have been difficult for refugees as policies have become punitive and non-compliant with UNHCR’s Charter. Syney MCS have settled thousands of refugees over the years and as Migrant Centre, we work together with the Government to maximize the outcome for people we care for. 

As stated in ALP’s National Platform, Sydney MCS look forward to working with the new government to make progress on increasing the annual refugee intake, setting up community sponsorship programs and ending temporary protection visas.

Ms Loria said, with Australia’s diverse community, we will work alongside the new government so that individuals can contribute and actively play a part in their communities to ensure full engagement in a fair and inclusive society.

For media enquires contact Hnin Yi Win on 9663 3922 or communications@sydneymcs.org.au