Geelong Settle Well

Supporting Refugee Youth and Mothers

Geelong Settle Well is an intensive, school-based support service for young refugees and asylum seekers and for refugee mothers. It provides support to give refugee youth a stronger start in life, and to help refugee mothers settle well into their new community. 

Geelong is a priority location for the resettlement of refugees in regional Australia, including Women at Risk. 

Young refugees face the challenges of adolescence combined with the complex challenges of re-settlement in a new country. Refugee mothers have the additional challenge of supporting their children through school while navigating re-settlement. 

Without support, these challenges can form barriers to personal wellbeing, social participation, education, training and employment – the foundations for settling well.

What support is available?

The support includes: 

• specialised trauma-informed counselling  
• case management, including referrals and linkages to other community services 
• education and training
• opportunities for community participation  

What are the benefits? 

 Participants of the program:

• young refugees connect more with their school and education
• find pathways to further education, training and employment
• gain confidence to achieve their career aspirations
• increase thier sense of wellbeing and social participation 

Eligibility

Young refugees and asylum seekers aged 15-20 years, who are enrolled at North Geelong Secondary College or Northern Bay College can access the Geelong Settle Well program. 

Refugee mothers of students from these schools can also access the program.

Fees

There is no charge to access the service. Some specific activities/events may incur a small charge or co-contribution.

Women's Group

The CALD* Women's Group is run for the mothers of students who participate in the Settle Well program. Participants attend regular activities and information sessions, teaching them new skills and helping them to support their children.

More information

Geelong Settle Well is proudly supported by Bennelong Foundation, Collier Charitable Fund, Give Where you Live Foundation, and Melbourne Catholic Archbishop's Charitable Fund.

View our News story: Justice Education for refugee youth

*Culturally And Linguistically Diverse