Getting to Know the Locals: Researching the Impact of the Mentor Program for Tibetan Refugees

The aim of this study was to evaluate the short and long term impact of mentoring on participants of the program. We were interested in exploring whether this approach to helping refugee families settle in the local community has any advantages over traditional community settlement models.

This evaluation has been funded by the Health Promotion Service, Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service (NSCCAHS) and conducted by Dr Amanda Wise and Ms Kylie Sait at the Centre for Research on Social Inclusion (CRSI), Macquarie University.

The mentoring program was established in response to issues raised by the Tibetan community and was developed in a consultation forum with the Tibetan community.

The mentoring program was evaluated through the use of both quantitative and qualitative research methods including surveys, focus groups, in depth interviews and observation. Separate focus groups were held with staff, mentors and mentees. The mentees were asked to take photos around a range of themes and then select some of these photos to show the researchers.

Essentially, this mentoring program was very positive and was highly valued by both the mentors and mentees.As a result of this program mentees were able to make contacts and build networks within the broader Australian community, learn new skills, increase their English proficiency and engage in new experiences. The mentors, who were ‘typical’ Anglo Australians, also benefited from this program gaining a great sense satisfaction from helping, learnt about Tibetan culture; acquired new skills and developed friendships with other mentors.

Some of the key challenges within the program included creating a more comfortable initial environment for mentors and mentees to meet and encouraging mentors to take on the mentees who had lower levels of English language proficiency.

Visit the Centre for Research on Social Inclusion's website.

Source: communityNet