By Aaron Cordy
PRIMARY Care Connect (PCC) has been a bridge for people in the community to find support, connection and services within the region.
Recently, PCC helped 10 locally based Afghan women integrate into the community and take their first steps to employment by connecting them with the North Shepparton Community & Learning Centre (NSCLC) to participate in an Introduction to Commercial and Domestic Cleaning course.
“The ladies started here as part of an advisory group that we had. They would come in and tell us the problems that they were having accessing any services. And we would organise to have people come along and talk to them about the services that they provide,” said PCC Community Capacity Builder Tonia Lincoln.
“I thought that Crystal (NSCLC trainer coordinator) would be a good one to come along, because we need to get the women into employment. If you have a job, it gives you a purpose, financial security and makes them feel more part of the community. That’s what the idea was about to support them.”
The four-week course was a comprehensive program on how to select the right products and equipment for jobs and use appropriate techniques for commercial and domestic cleaning.
“Crystal was amazing. The community centre, I can’t thank them enough, because they really did a great job in making the course accessible for all the ladies. And adjusting the way that they teach, because they don’t all understand English. So, we had Shakilla Naveed (PCC Refugee Access Worker) provide language support. It was great,” said Tonia.
