Focus on 'Older Migrants and Community Services'

Media Release

5 November 2012

Settlement Support Network Meeting - focus on ‘Older Migrants And Community Services’

Settlement Support is holding a Settlement Network Meeting on Thursday 15 November from 9am to 1pm at A’fare Function & Reception Lounge, 197 Lower Dent Street.

The meeting, which is held twice a year, brings together migrants, newcomers, community services and anyone who wants to be involved with new people and cultures in our community.

"This is the 12th meeting we have coordinated in Whangarei bringing community services and migrants together to discuss settlement issues, make plans for how to improve on the information that newcomers get and help people to feel welcome here", says Ellen Altshuler, Settlement Support Coordinator.

“Over the last 6 years, this bi-annual meeting has helped many community services to better their understanding of migrants’ needs and discover where to make service improvements. The meeting gets services directly in contact with migrants who are willing to share their experience of coming to live in Whangarei.

Migrants attending the meeting benefit from networking with key service providers. They also make a very useful contribution in helping community services in their planning. By sharing stories and experiences we can learn from each other and improve services and relationships in the community.”

This Settlement Network meeting will feature discussion and planning for “Working with older migrant clients in our community”. The meeting will also show the progress that community services have made in responding to the changing demographics in Whangarei.

Two Whangarei services will make presentations on their experiences of working with senior migrant clients. They will discuss the issues and challenges they face as a result of changes in their client base; how they are responding to the challenges, and what their organisation is doing to improve planning and service delivery in the long term. Participants will also get an update on Settlement Support and other services for newcomers.

Everyone is welcome to come along to hear and share their stories. Lunch is included. For catering purposes, please register.

Settlement Support
Settlement Support New Zealand is a Department of Labour initiative. There is a service in 19 areas around New Zealand to help migrants and refugees get in touch with local information and services that they need to support their settlement. Settlement Support – Whangarei has its office at the Whangarei Migrant Centre, 71 Bank Street.

ENDS

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