Staying home-bound for what felt like the majority of 2020 did quite a number on the mental health of many in our community.
While COVID restrictions have eased significantly in the new year, there are still many families and individuals who haven’t had the opportunity for a fun, relaxing day out.
But for many refugees, the inability to get out and about hasn’t only been due to COVID restrictions; with no relatives or friends to show them around, difficulties associated with language barriers, and often limited means of transport, a fun family day out hasn’t been an option.
With this in mind, CatholicCare Victoria held a day out for refugee families at Sorrento Beach on Saturday 27 March, attended by just over 80 refugees, with a picnic, a wander around the local park and beach front, and a ferry ride to Queenscliff Harbour (and back again!).
Bringing joy to refugee families
A majority of attendants on Saturday were refugee women, and many expressed that they or their families had not been on an excursion outdoors since their arrival to Australia.
One of the families who attended had recently lost their young daughter, and one woman had moved to Melbourne from another state to escape family violence.
Loss, trauma and grief have been a part of many of the families’ journeys, and so this day out at Sorrento provided them with an opportunity to focus on something positive, to relax, and to spend quality time with their loved ones.
“Two of the women who attended had become good friends online through our English Conversation Group during COVID, but had never met face to face. This excursion was the first time they were able to meet in person, but they felt as if they knew each other for a long time,” says Catherine, Settlement Engagement and Transition Support Case Manager. “They hugged, laughed and introduced each other to the members of their families.”
Photo: Two refugee women who became friends online met for the first time at the Sorrento Beach Day Out.
The families were also excited to see dolphins up close for the first time, while on their ferry trip to Queenscliff.
Despite the rainy start to the day, the sun came out for these refugee families and made for the perfect day out at Sorrento.
We would like to thank Uniting Komak Program for sponsoring this day out.
CatholicCare Victoria’s Settlement Engagement and Transition Support service helps to improve social participation, economic wellbeing, independence, personal wellbeing and community connectedness for refugees.
Liz Gellel | Communications Coordinator
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