We are pleased to announce a new two-year strategic partnership between the Fay Fuller Foundation and the Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia (MCCSA). As multicultural diversity becomes the new mainstream in South Australia, the work of MCCSA - especially in supporting community capability and promoting health, connection, and wellbeing - is more vital than ever.
Strategic Partnerships provide two-years of unrestricted grant funding and an opportunity for organisations working to support preventative mental wellbeing at the systems change level to partner with the Foundation.
As South Australia's peak advocacy body, the Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia (MCCSA) brings 50 years of dedicated service supporting culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Through its commitment to creating an equitable and thriving multicultural society, MCCSA empowers diverse communities to shape South Australia's economic, political, social, and cultural landscape. With a foundation built on respect, collaboration, integrity, innovation, inclusion and responsiveness, the organisation proudly represents more than 120 ethnic communities.
"This strategic partnership between Fay Fuller Foundation and MCCSA represents a significant milestone in fostering community wellbeing," says Helena Kyriazopoulos, Chief Executive Officer of MCCSA. "Our organisations share a deep commitment to understanding and addressing the unique mental health needs of multicultural communities. By combining MCCSA's grassroots connections and cultural expertise with Fay Fuller Foundation's innovative funding approach, we can create meaningful, sustainable change that truly resonates with our diverse communities.”
Our partnership with MCCSA began through their Discovery work on the Men’s Mental Health Connectors program, which partnered with four multicultural men's groups to explore mental health and wellbeing within their own community contexts. This collaboration deepened our shared understanding of the need for community-led approaches to support diverse communities and contributed to a clearer articulation for MCCSA of the protective factors that contribute to wellbeing in diverse cultures.
Speaking on the partnership, Ukash Ahmed stated, “This partnership with Fay Fuller Foundation is a unique and deeply personal opportunity to influence the mental health system so it better serves everyone, regardless of their background. Over the past two years, I’ve seen the power of trusting CALD communities to lead their own solutions—true resilience is built when people are empowered to define their own paths to healing. For MCCSA, this partnership is a collective call to action to advocate for more trust-based, community-led funding in the mental health prevention space.”
Those closest to the issues hold the most effective solutions, and by trusting them, we can build healthier, stronger, and more connected communities.
In recognition that the current systems in place do not adequately serve the community or support a holistic understanding of and approach to health and wellbeing, and noting that our collective efforts are stronger than our individual ones, we are committed to incrementally shifting these systems together.
The partnership will focus on three key areas for change:
Creating spaces for community connection that foster wellbeing and provide pathways for preventative mental health approaches.
Enhancing inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring systems and services meet the needs of our diverse community.
Advocating for more flexible and sustainable funding to support long-term, proactive approaches rather than short-term crisis responses.
“Our partnership with MCCSA is a reflection of our shared belief that true change begins when communities are empowered to lead” reflected Niall Fay, Chief Executive of the Fay Fuller Foundation. “At Fay Fuller, we know that mental health and wellbeing are shaped by the systems and environments people live in. By working in partnership with MCCSA, we are investing in the future of preventative mental health while ensuring that solutions are deeply rooted in the lived experiences of South Australia's multicultural communities.”
By working together, we hope to contribute to a healthier, more inclusive future with the community at its heart.