Group Mentorship Program
What is the Group Mentorship Program?
Initially launched as a pilot to put into practice various aspects of the sponsorship model, the Group Mentorship Program (GMP) engages newly-arrived refugee individuals or households in need of additional support and connects them with a local group of volunteers in their community who have been screened and trained to provide that support.
You can watch the following video to see what the Group Mentorship Program looks like in practice.
What is a Mentor Group?
A mentor group is a group of at least five individuals who live in the same geographic community and are keen to provide practical support to refugees. The groups complete an internationally-developed training course and undergo basic application and screening process in preparation for providing this support. Mentor groups are made up of friends, family, neighbours, and colleagues – basically any group of Australians who feel they have the capacity to give time each week to helping a refugee newcomer.
Group members should come from more than one family or household to ensure that the group can keep supporting their refugee mentee household should any one mentor move away or become unable to continue their mentoring work. Having a varied group of mentors will also provide your refugee mentee(s) with the benefits that come with being able to access a broader network of support, knowledge, experience and expertise.
What do Mentor Groups do?
Mentor Groups provide holistic and ‘whole of family’ settlement support to refugee households. Groups work with mentees to identify areas where support is needed, supplementing the support that is provided by any government-funded settlement services with the added elements of the extra time, social capital and networks, deep local knowledge and friendship that can be offered by a group of local members of the community. Mentor groups leverage their own local knowledge, networks, expertise and experience to help refugees achieve their personal goals and successfully integrate into their new community.
The following list outlines some of the things mentor groups provide support for:
- Finding suitable employment
- Securing suitable housing in a regional area with no migrant settlement services
- Enrolling and better participation in education
- Practicing English
- Learning to drive
- Understanding how to have overseas qualifications recognised
- Establishing a small business
- Accessing previously unknown local services
- Making new friends
Who are the Mentees?
Mentees in our 2021/22 program include Afghan evacuees as well as refugees from other parts of the world
‘Mentees’ are refugee individuals or families who have arrived in Australia in recent years, who would benefit from additional support with their settlement. They are people who hold a refugee or humanitarian visa and can include people with temporary humanitarian visas like a TPV or SHEV. Mentees can be already located in the same general area as mentor groups (within reasonable driving distance), or be looking to relocate to the community where a mentor group is based.
- Mentees participating in the 2020/21 program were mostly looking for support with learning English, career development, their studies and making social connections
- Households can be made up of couples, siblings, family units and single adults
- Mentees age range varies with family members aged from 0 to 60+
How can I find out more about the program?
To find out more about the Group Mentorship Program:
- Watch the recorded information session using the link below or attend an online public information session:
- You can also read about the GMP by following the link below to the Program Information Pack and review our Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
ABC Online: How community support programs are helping refugees feel welcome in Australia
Tibetan refugee Chungla said having a group of mentors was like having ‘family’ welcoming her to Australia…
Group Mentorship Program 2021/22-Information Pack
We’ve compiled a comprehensive information pack that provides a detailed overview of the application process and all key resources you will need to apply for the Group Mentorship Program.
You can access and download the information package here.
How can I apply to be part of the program?
We are now accepting applications all year round and will hold training sessions at least once every three months. Once you’ve attended a live or pre-recorded information session (see dates above) you’ll be sent a link to our application form and then invited to sign up for training.
You will need to be part of a group of 5 or more adults to form a mentor group. We encourage you to assemble a group through your own networks. CRSA requires all group members to have a valid National Criminal History Check and Working with Children Check. This document covers the basic steps of applying for these checks. You can apply for a Volunteer National Criminal History Check through Intercheck for $29.99.
If you’re struggling to find other individuals to team up with we may be able to put you in touch with others known to us in your local area. We also have a facebook group you can join with other applicants looking for group members.
Once your application has been received, we will contact you with any queries and then arrange training for your group before introducing your group to a refugee family who needs support.
Do you belong to a community based organisation?
If you belong to an existing community based organisation like a club, church or other faith-based group, school or business and would like to be involved, we would love to have you on board. Review the following information materials and complete this Expression of Interest form. As new opportunities become available we will let you know.
- Fact Sheet for Supporting Community Organisations
- Overview of GMP for Supporting Community Organisations (ppt)
- Risk Management Matrix for GMP
Partner organisations currently working with CRSA to deliver the Group Mentorship Program:
Looking for something else?
If you can't find what you're looking for, try checking our Community Hub, including our Frequently Asked Questions.
Otherwise, feel free to get in touch with us via our Contact Us page.