Stories from our sessions.
Every Water Well Project session is shaped around the questions, needs and experiences of the community group. These words from community members, partner organisations and volunteer healthcare professionals show why trusted, culturally responsive health conversations matter.
People leave with knowledge, confidence and trust.
Feedback from our sessions consistently highlights the value of simple language, practical resources, safe spaces for questions, interpreters where needed, and trusted information delivered by healthcare professionals.
Ask
Community members have space to ask questions they may not feel able to ask elsewhere.
Learn
Sessions make health information easier to understand and use in everyday life.
Act
People report feeling more confident to seek help, book checks and make health decisions.
A few moments that capture the work.
I didn’t know I could go to the doctor when I wasn’t sick. It’s called preventative health.
The Water Well Project has created a space where people feel comfortable discussing sensitive health topics, asking questions and learning together.
Volunteering with The Water Well Project has helped me better understand the health needs of people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
Clear information that people can use.
Community members and partner organisations tell us that sessions are practical, accessible and help people feel more confident about their health.
“I feel confident sharing this information with my friends and family.”
“We need more sessions in the future. It is very important. Thank you.”
“It was a very good knowledge session and we need sessions like this more frequently.”
“Parenting is so hard. It’s good to be able to ask questions.”
“Now I know Beyond Blue information. Thank you.”
“Now I can choose which are the healthier foods.”
“I never knew the name for that. I’m going to talk to my doctor about it.”
“This session helps me to know about my health.”
“I didn’t know how cancer screening systems work in Australia. After the session, it felt easier to ask about cancer screening.”
Trusted support for community groups.
Partner organisations value sessions that are free, flexible, practical, culturally responsive and delivered in places where people already feel comfortable.
“The Water Well Project has been a fantastic partner in empowering our community with essential health knowledge.”
“The Water Well is instrumental in increasing the health literacy of women attending our Hub.”
“Reliable information from dependable sources was the most valuable part for our community.”
“They make health information accessible by using clear language and coming to our community group.”
“The clients were engaged and asked many questions. The volunteer showed amazing cultural awareness, which made the group feel comfortable and respected.”
“The interactive nature of the session encouraged participants to ask questions and share their experiences.”
What people feel able to do next.
The impact of a session is not only what people learn in the room. It is what they feel able to do afterwards.
HPV vaccination
After a cervical cancer prevention session, one participant who had previously declined the HPV vaccine for her daughter said she would now arrange vaccination that week.
Ambulance cover
Several participants who had avoided calling an ambulance because they feared the cost were relieved to learn that ambulance cover was an affordable option.
Walking group
After a diabetes session, a walking group was established twice a week, with around half of the students from two classes regularly attending.
Asking for support
After a mental health session, a participant asked where she could get support for herself and her family, and felt ready to explore support services.
Volunteers learn from communities too.
Sessions also strengthen healthcare professionals’ understanding of cultural responsiveness, communication, health literacy and the importance of listening.
“The session has changed the way I see patients. We need to see things from participants’ point of view.”
“I feel more practiced using an interpreter for healthcare interactions, which is important for my work in the emergency department.”
“Meeting communities when they are healthy has given me extra awareness of primary care and preventative medicine.”
“It reminded me how important it is to create a safe environment for participants, particularly for sensitive topics.”
“Different participants have varied levels of knowledge. It is always good to gauge understanding before sharing information.”
“As a GP, it reminded me of the importance of taking time to listen to what the patient needs, particularly when English is a second language.”
Help more communities access trusted health information.
Community organisations can request a free session, and healthcare professionals can volunteer their skills to support migrant, refugee and asylum seeker communities.