Banyule Youth Services
SALDHIG
Our SALDHIG team (also known as the Diverse Communities project) was created by Banyule City Council to support the needs of our local Somali Australian community.
Did you know? Banyule has the second largest population of Somali Australian families living in our region, in all of Australia.
The SALDHIG project is funded by the Safer Communities funding stream through the Victorian Government’s Department of Justice & Community Safety, with in-kind support from Banyule City Council.
Set to run until late 2023, the project aims to deliver high-quality services and supports for Somali Australian young people & their families. Our team also supports the local youth and community-sector to increase the number of Somali Australian people who uptake their services and employment opportunities.
We support young people & their families by offering individual support, parent/carer workshops and programs, events and opportunities for young people, training for local services and resources for services, schools and young people on the experiences of culturally-diverse and Muslim young people.
Upcoming Events
Find out about upcoming programs and events!
Meet our SALDHIG Team
Sadia Ali (Family Support Officer) – She/Her pronouns
Sadia works predominantly with Somali-Australian carers, parents and families. Sadia provides a range of services and programs addressing identified emerging community needs including culturally appropriate sessions on drug and alcohol support, mental health knowledge and positive parenting strategies targeting Somali-Australian families.
Email: Sadia.Ali@banyule.vic.gov.au
Phone: (03) 9242 3457
Mobile: 0479 191 838
Saeed Ahmed (Youth Programs Officer) – He/Him pronouns
Saeed is working predominantly with Somali-Australian young men. He is providing a range of events, opportunities and programs for young men. Saeed is also be available to catch-up with young people and provide individual support and referrals assistance.
Email: saeed.ahmed@banyule.vic.gov.au
Phone: (03) 9490 4222
Mobile: 0481 053 420
Mahamed Hassan Awl – He/Him pronouns
Mahamed is creating resources and social media content for the SALDHIG team. Mahamed is also helping to run events and opportunities for young people in Banyule.
Email: mahamed.awl@banyule.vic.gov.au
Phone: (03) 9457 9984
If you would like to connect or seek support from the Banyule Youth Services Team CLICK HERE
FREE Cultural Competency Training
The Banyule Youth Services SALDHIG Diverse Communities project team have developed a FREE 2-hour Cultural Competency Training for local services to better support & work with the Somali Australian community.
The training is designed to support workers to engage and work with Somali Australian and Muslim young people & families in our local region. Find out how your service can be more accessible, culturally-appropriate and inclusive for this community.
The training will be hosted by Somali Australian workers, who will generously share both their professional and personal lived-experiences to inform and educate local service providers on how to:
Engage with Somali Australian young people & families
Increase representation and cultural-awareness within their organisation
Create safe work environments for employees from Somali Australian and Muslim communities
Better promote opportunities to those from CALD communities
Understand more about the culture, religion and experiences of people from the Somali Australian & Muslim communities
This training is suitable for anyone who works with young people or families in the Banyule region. We are also able to consider requests from neighbouring municipalities.
Cost: FREE
Venue: Can be hosted in your workplace (in-person is preferential) or at Banyule City Council offices in Greensborough
Duration: 2 hours
To find out more & register your interest, please email Banyule.youth.training@banyule.vic.gov.au or call 9457 9855