Maya’s student placement at Advance Diversity Services offered a valuable opportunity to step outside her comfort zone, strengthen her skills in culturally responsive practice and deepen her understanding of the challenges faced by migrants and refugees in Australia. She embraced every chance to learn from the ADS community and made meaningful contributions to its mission of inclusion, empowerment and support.
What drew you to volunteer and/or to do your student placement with ADS?
I was drawn to ADS because I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and learn how to work with people from vastly different cultural and linguistic backgrounds to my own. As someone who identifies as a straight, Australian-born person with no culturally diverse background, I recognised that I had gaps in my understanding of the refugee and migrant experience. I saw ADS as a place where I could learn directly from people with lived experiences and grow in my ability to offer respectful and culturally responsive support. The values of equity, inclusion and empowerment really resonated with me as a future social worker.
What are you studying and where?
I am a third-year student studying a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Wollongong, currently completing my 500-hour placement.
How has your personal history and/or your cultural background informed your work with ADS?
My previous experience supporting vulnerable families and individuals in my role as a disability support worker, as well as my volunteering with Enough is Enough, has shaped the lens through which I approach social work. These roles taught me the importance of trauma-informed care, empathy and active listening – skills that aligned well with the values of ADS. Coming from a background of working closely with people navigating structural and personal barriers, I was naturally drawn to ADS’s mission of culturally responsive support and empowerment. These experiences allowed me to engage more meaningfully with the communities ADS serves.
What ADS programs have you assisted with and how have you been encouraged to apply your studies and/or expand your skills in your role?
During my placement at ADS, I’ve had the opportunity to support a range of programs and activities, including the Specialised Intensive Services (SIS) program, the Kogarah Intensive English College (KIEC) soccer program, interagency meetings and Harmony Day activities (where I also organised an ADS staff Harmony Day activity). I also contributed to client intake, Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) focused work and the annual Domestic Violence Remembrance Vigil, which helped me develop my understanding of trauma-informed and community-based practice.
Each experience challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, adapt to new settings and engage respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds. Through these opportunities, I’ve grown more confident in applying social work theory in real-world contexts, especially around advocacy, intersectionality and working with marginalised communities.
What has been the most challenging work you have done with ADS during your time as a student?
One of the most challenging aspects of my time at ADS was working across cultural differences in a way that was ethical, informed and not tokenistic. I constantly reflected on how to offer support without imposing my own cultural lens or unintentionally reinforcing power imbalances. Another challenge was understanding the complex systems that migrants and refugees must navigate, such as Centrelink, housing and healthcare, especially when those systems are not user-friendly and often inflexible. It made me aware of how overwhelming and inaccessible Australian services can be, even for someone fluent in English and born here.
What strengths have you brought to your role?
I brought a strong work ethic, a genuine willingness to learn and a reflective mindset. I know I won’t always get things right, but I always aim to grow from feedback and unfamiliar situations. I also brought empathy, patience and the ability to stay calm under pressure, especially when supporting clients with complex needs or when things didn’t go to plan. Being able to sit with discomfort and uncertainty has been a key strength during this placement.
What has been your proudest moment, greatest achievement, deepest connection in your time at ADS?
One of my proudest achievements during my time at ADS has been contributing to the revision of the Multicultural LGBTIQA+ Support Directory. What began as a 70-page document evolved, through many rounds of editing, discussion and collaboration, into a comprehensive 102-page resource. Seeing the directory grow wasn’t just about page numbers; it symbolised a deepening and widening of support services available for LGBTQIA+ individuals across different cultural, religious and age backgrounds. Knowing that someone, no matter who they are or how they identify, might feel a little more seen or supported because of this work has been incredibly rewarding.
‘Be You With Us’ is ADS’s tagline, and it reflects the organisation’s commitment to welcoming and accepting everyone of all ages, gender, culture, sexuality, and religious beliefs. How have you been encouraged to ‘Be You With Us’ during your time with ADS?
Despite not being from a culturally diverse background, I felt fully welcomed and valued at ADS. I was never made to feel like I didn’t belong or couldn’t contribute; rather, I was encouraged to be curious, ask questions and lean into the discomfort of not knowing everything. The team truly embodied the ‘Be You With Us’ motto by showing me that being open, authentic and respectful was more important than having all the answers. I felt accepted as I was and supported in my learning journey.
What more should the Australian Government be doing to welcome migrants and refugees and to ensure they find the support they need to adjust quickly and well to life in Australia?
The Australian Government needs to take a more holistic and human-centred approach to supporting migrants and refugees. This includes expanding access to affordable housing, healthcare and education, as well as investing in long-term settlement programs, not just short-term assistance. Services need to be culturally safe, trauma-informed and delivered in partnership with community organisations who already have the trust and knowledge to support these communities effectively.
In addition, the Government should better recognise the importance of mental health support during resettlement, increase funding for bilingual and bicultural workers, and actively include lived experience voices in policy development. Ultimately, welcoming migrants and refugees isn’t just about meeting basic needs, it’s about ensuring people feel safe, valued and able to thrive as part of Australian society.
What is your ultimate goal, and how has the work you’ve done with ADS equipped you for what you would like to do next?
My ultimate goal is to work with young people and young adults who often fall through the cracks, those who lack consistent support, understanding, or a safe space to be themselves. I’m particularly interested in areas such as mental health, identity and domestic and family violence (DFV). My time at ADS has shown me the power of culturally responsive, inclusive practice and how meaningful connection can make a lasting difference in someone’s life. Whether it was through contributing to resources like the Multicultural LGBTIQA+ Support Directory or learning alongside the team, I’ve gained valuable skills in advocacy, communication and trauma-informed care. These experiences have strengthened my passion and prepared me to support young people in a way that is empathetic, strengths-based and grounded in social justice.
Please finish this sentence: I love ADS because…
… all staff members and volunteers go above and beyond to support migrants and refugees who are often overlooked, doing everything they can to build people’s skills, confidence and understanding of the complex systems they face in Australia.
