Settle Well

Settlement support for refugee young people & mothers

An intensive school-based service and Women’s Group to support young people and their mothers thrive in their new community.

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Giving refugee youth a strong start in life

An intensive school-based service providing counselling, employment and education help, opportunities for community participation, and other essential supports to address challenges associated with re-settlement.

Social isolation, language barriers, and past trauma often experienced by refugees impacts their opportunities to settle well in their new community.

Without support, challenges may become barriers to personal wellbeing, social participation, education, training and employment – the foundations for settling well.

The Geelong Settle Well program for refugee youth provides:

on-site support within schools
specialised trauma-informed counselling
advocacy and case management, including referrals to other counselling services
education and training
help with finding and applying for tertiary education, paid employment, and volunteering opportunities
financial support for school uniforms, enrolment, and other school necessities

Refugee youth who participate in our Settle Well program:

connect more with their school and education
increase their sense of wellbeing and social participation
may be referred to Settle Well Next Phase, where they can find pathways to further education, training and employment

Supporting refugee mothers

Our Women’s Group supports refugee mothers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, as they have the additional challenge of supporting their children through school while navigating re-settlement.

Our Women’s Group is for the mothers of students who participate in the Settle Well program.

Support provided includes:

specialised trauma-informed counselling
advocacy and case management, including referrals to other community services
education and training
activities, information sessions, and opportunities for community participation
help with finding paid employment and volunteering opportunities
financial support for food, utility bills and other necessities through our Emergency Relief service

Who is this service for?

Young refugees and asylum seekers aged 15-20 years, who are enrolled at North Geelong Secondary College or Northern Bay College. Referrals from schools are welcome.
Refugee mothers of students