How do you think the ACDC Project will help people in Cumberland?
Sariya: ACDC project can help in various ways for the Cumberland community. The ACDC project can assist the Cumberland community to connect with services or give them a brief insight the services available in there local community. Engaging in meaningful conversations about health and well-being with the householders in Cumberland can truly brighten their day, providing them with someone to talk to and positively impacting their well-being. The information that people connectors provide through brochures and magnets tends to catch Householder’s attention, and they often find it valuable enough to look at and utilize.
Sonia: The ACDC project will help people in the Cumberland LGA by directing them to appropriate services (social, mental health and community programs to enhance their overall health and mental wellbeing). This project will benefit people of CALD backgrounds from social disadvantage, such as support with resources, housing, transport, financial expenses, food and security with human resources. In addition, I believe it assists people with available community services that is unknown to migrant/newly arrived groups living in Australia without relatives, friends and social networks. ACDC offers a strong support to individuals in our communities through direct connection and engagement.
What are you most excited about being a People Connector?
Sariya: As a people connector, I’m genuinely enthusiastic about engaging in meaningful conversations that can brighten someone’s day and contribute positively to the Cumberland community. It’s fulfilling to refer householders to service and establish connections with services that can bring real benefits to the Cumberland community.
Sonia: I am very excited about being a people connector, it offers strong level of human lived experiences from diverse householders. This role gives us the opportunity to connect with people in a deeper level with genuine connection and rapport. I am also very excited about meeting people in Cumberland community to offer our support services and assist with creating social impact in our communities.
Why and how do you think the ACDC Project is different from other mental health and wellbeing projects?
Sariya: The ACDC project stands apart from other mental health and well-being initiatives due to its approach of door-knocking and engaging with householders directly. It involves checking in on their health and well-being, typically as a one-time interaction unless follow-up is required. The project empowers householders to navigate and make independent choices, while also offering assistance in connecting them to available services. Unlike traditional therapist-client relationships, the ACDC project doesn’t involve an ongoing or continuous interaction.
Sonia: ACDC Project is very unique. It would be one of the projects where I can support in areas for capacity building through engagement with householders, in face to face settings, and utilising the great resources and training from the program.
Is there anything else you like to say about the ACDC Project?
Sariya: The ACDC project is truly remarkable and brings immense benefits to the community. The dedicated team behind it is exceptional. Hopefully the project still continues in the future.
Sonia: I found a fantastic feature about this ACDC project because the way of surveys being conducted at door to door can reach to people who have immediate unmet needs and we are able to support these people by offering food security, social services, community programs, mental health support and more. I also think the K10 surveys as a fantastic tool to identify a householder’s mental wellbeing in a discrete manner without being intrusive, as you build rapport you are able to identify their unaddressed or unmet heath need. It’s a great indicator for us people connectors to use resources from training and our own resources to best help them at the door
