Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (PICAC NSW & ACT)
The Team at MCCI
Diversity & Inclusion
MCCI has been working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities for over 45 years. As a regional peak body MCCI implements a range of community engagement activities and programs to support, consult with and inform our members and CALD communities.
With employee numbers now covering 40 languages across NSW & ACT, we are truly representative of the diversity of our communities that we serve.
MCCI also makes regular policy contributions and submissions to government, and participates in research projects, committees and networks to influence national policy.
CALDWays Webinars
The CALDWays webinars bring together experts to share information on how aged care providers can improve their service delivery for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) consumers. Register for upcoming webinars below and watch previous sessions.
Health and Wellbeing: Nutrition and Aged Care
Presenters
Heba Hassanin
Date: May 16, 2023
In this pre-recorded session, MCCI’s Accredited Practising Dietitian Heba Hassanin will share tips on how older CALD people in a home care setting can include culturally appropriate foods that will improve health status and quality of life.
Connectivity for CALD People in Aged Care
Presenters
Gail Jugow
Date: April 28, 2023
This pre-recorded session with Training and Education Coordinator, Gail Jugow, will give participants an insight into the effects of isolation for CALD people in aged care, and provide practical ways we can connect people with others both in aged care services and broader communities.
Understanding the Multicultural Perspective of Advance Care Planning
Presenters
Rebecca Taylor and Gail Jugow
Date: April 27, 2023
In partnership with Advance Care Planning Australia, this live session explains what Advance Care planning is, our understanding of culture, and discussions around care should you no longer be able to speak for yourself.
Supporting the Mental Health and Wellbeing of CALD People in Aged Care
Presenters
Claude Muco
Date: April 19, 2023
This pre-recorded session with Mental Health and Wellbeing Project Officer Claude Muco provides the participant with information on how to support CALD people who may be experiencing mental health concerns due to settlement/trauma. This will include why CALD people don’t seek out services, and culturally safe language and practical guides on how to connect and refer to appropriate services.
Exercise for Dementia Prevention and Care
Presenters
Kylie Franklin
Date: April 5, 2023
In this pre-recorded session, Accredited Exercise Physiologist Kylie Franklin discusses the importance of exercise for dementia prevention and care.
The Specialisation Verification Framework
Presenters
Glen Sorensen
Date: March 23, 2023
In this live session, Glen Sorensen discusses the Specialisation Verification Framework that sets out the criteria by which aged care providers can apply for specialisation verification.
Dementia Care - Nutrition
Presenters
Heba Hassanin
Date: March 22, 2023
In this pre-recorded session, MCCI Accredited Practising Dietitian Heba Hassanin shares tips on how older CALD people in a home care setting can include culturally appropriate foods that will help improve health and quality of life.
The Aged Care Diversity Framework - LGBTQIA+ Perspective
Presenters
Lee Caldwell
Date: March 17, 2023
The Australian Government’s goal is to ensure that respectful, inclusive and culturally safe aged care services are accessible to all older people regardless of their background or life experiences.
In this pre-recorded session, Lee Caldwell discusses how to better address the needs of LGBTQIA+ elderly people.
The new Aged Care Standards
Presenters
Danijela Hlis
Date: March 14, 2023
In this pre-recorded session, Danijela Hlis, a member of many organisations, including the Council of Elders, discusses the new Aged Care Standards.
Dementia Care - Caring for the Carers
Presenters
Anica Petkovski
Date: March 13, 2023
In this pre-recorded session, Anica Petkovski discusses the importance of looking after CALD carers and understanding the unique challenges they face.
Supporting Elderly CALD LGBTQIA+ consumers
Presenters
Anthony Scerri
Date: March 6, 2023
What is important for our CALD LGBTQIA+ consumers in aged care. In this pre-recorded session, Anthony Scerri gives some practical ideas to help aged care providers in supporting CALD LGBTQIA+ consumers.
The Aged Care Diversity Framework - CALD Perspectives
Presenters
Sarah Wilson and Gail Jugow
Date: March 1, 2023
The Australian Government’s goal is to ensure respectful, inclusive and culturally safe aged care services are accessible to all older people living in Australia regardless of their background or life experiences.
In this pre-recorded session, Training and Education Coordinator Gail Jugow discusses with MCCI Executive Operations Manager Sarah Wilson how to better address the needs of older people from CALD backgrounds.
Dementia Care - CALD Client Behaviour Strategies
Presenters
Patricia Laranjeira – Senior Project Coordinator, Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra
Date: February 17, 2023
In this pre-recorded session, Patricia Laranjeira shares some tips and strategies for caring for people with dementia from CALD backgrounds.
CALDWays Courses
Culturally Inclusive Service Delivery
Working with New and Emerging Communities
Working with a Diverse Workforce
Culture and Dementia
Resources
MCCI has developed a wide range of resources to support the implementation of inclusive service delivery principles. Resources are also available to assist and inform consumers on how to access support and maintain health, wellbeing and independence.
Resources for download
Mental Health Support for Senior Women and Men
Amplifying M Voices podcasts series
Amplifying M Voices podcasts series: Young people sharing their experiences from settling in the Illawarra. Winner of the NSW Youth Work Awards 2023 for ‘Outstanding Work with Young People from Diverse Backgrounds and Experiences’.
7 tips in Arabic and Swahili for a healthy headspace
7 tips in Arabic and Swahili for a healthy headspace: Based on headspace’s English language fact sheets ‘7 tips for a healthy headspace’, young people of African and Middle Eastern backgrounds in Wollongong have made the information culturally appropriate and easily accessible for their communities. See below for 7 tips videos developed by Karen and Karenni.
Bridging Cultures
Bridging Cultures: This book is intended to enhance the readers’ understanding of the cultural diversity of many people seeking aged care services or who are currently receiving services from aged care service providers in Australia.
Cross Cultural Communication poster
Cross Cultural Communication poster: A poster for your workplace to promote positive cross cultural communication.
Multicultural Seniors Information Guide
Multicultural Seniors Information Guide: A guide to government funded services you can access to support you to live well. Translated to Vietnamese, Italian, Macedonian and Chinese (simplified)
10 questions to ask
10 questions to ask: 10 Questions is a series of leaflets written by nurses, doctors and experts with experience in aged care. Each leaflet focuses on an individual aspect of care to increase consumer knowledge and make the journey into residential aged care easier.
Planning Ahead
Planning Ahead for future health care – multilingual booklet.
