By Jessica Anstice
Oakgrove Community Centre is partnering with SMRC (Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre) to introduce a new friendship program called The Learning Space.
The Learning Space program provides a welcoming space for participants to get involved with four activities including, sewing, conversational English, computer skills and building awareness of employment and education pathways.
The fluidity of the program encourages participants to move freely between activities and learn at their own pace.
Sewing is one of the key motivators for women newly settled in Australia to attend the program.
Provision of sewing machines on site provides participants, who may not financially be able to purchase a machine, the opportunity to learn on site.
The machines will also be available for use, by experienced seamstresses.
“Through participation in this program, our clients learn the safe use of equipment to make clothes and other crafts,” Oakgrove Community Centre manager Mary Amalraj said.
“There is opportunity for networking, peer support, linking with other community groups and service providers.
“Participants also have the opportunity to be part of our small business course, whereby they are taught the skills of self-employment.”
The program also builds participants’ capacity in a vibrant social environment.
“Casey residents will benefit from a welcoming, safe environment to develop friendship, assistance and support as they learn new skills and gain knowledge in an informal setting and to promote social cohesion amongst our communities in a creative and culturally responsive way,” she said.
The program runs at the Oakgrove Community Centre and childcare available in the same room.
Days: Friday (During school terms only).
Time: 11.30am to 2.30pm.
Cost: $2 per session.
Venue: Oakgrove Community Centre, 89-101 Oakgrove Drive, Narre warren South, Phone: 9704 2781.
