b'Helping vulnerablePartnership supports Victorianslocal refugeesTo help people self-isolate safely duringWe partnered with the Moreland City Council Victorias extended lockdown in 2020, theto improve access to local services for refugees Victorian Government established theand people seeking asylum, including free access Integrated Intake Assessment and Triage to aquatic and leisure facilities, swim classes for Service (IIATS) for positive COVID-19 cases. children and school holiday programs.In September 2020, we began working withThe Council also generously agreed to fund people diagnosed with COVID-19 who wereRefugee Week celebrations in June.assessed as being in particularly vulnerableAn afternoon tea planned by our Asylumsituations and therefore unsuitable for hotelSeeker Welcome Centre and fellow community quarantine. Since then, weve supported 69service organisations had to be cancelled due to people across 25 households. COVID-19 restrictions.Mental health is a prominent issue for this groupThe Council kindly bought food vouchers withof people. We focused on immediate relationship- the funds set aside to host the event.building to keep each person engaged and provide the tools they need to complete quarantineThe local library also provided craft packs for successfully and keep the broader communityfamilies to enjoy during the school holidays.safe from infection risk. Recovery is always possibleKeeping new AustraliansFrom 1 July 2021, our GambleAware program will safe and informed support people experiencing gambling harm in Our Humanitarian Settlement Program the NSW Murrumbidgee region. (HSP) helps new Australians settle into Delivered by a range of therapeutic and non-their communities. therapeutic servicesand supported by specialist The program supports humanitarian entrantsAboriginal and multicultural servicesthe and other eligible visa holders to build the skillsprogram will raise community awareness of and knowledge they need to be self-reliant, activegambling addiction and the services available community memberswith a strong focus onto support consumers in their recovery.helping people learn English, gain employment,The program includes community engagement, and access education and training. counselling and support, treatment, and digital When COVID-19 hit, the HSP team translatedtools for additional support. The contract, worth government messages and regular updates into$3.3 million, means the local community will have different languages to ensure everyone in theaccess to this vital program until 2026.community knew the latest informationandhow to keep safe.Over several months, our teams made over 70 audio clips and 36 videos, which were then published by key local agencies and delivered to consumerslike the Greater Shepparton City Councils website and COVID Mobile Information Units.Uniting Vic.Tas Annual Report 2020-2021 31'