Aged care and disability provider 3Bridges has been honoured at this year’s Premier’s Harmony Dinner.
It won the medal for Business Excellence – Not for Profit at the dinner, which was hosted by Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure.
The contributions of 15 other people and organisations were also recognised at the awards for supporting the state’s multicultural communities.
CEO Raj Nair said 3Bridges is “extremely honoured and humbled” to receive the prestigious award.
“It makes us feel proud to be acknowledged by the state government as an organisation that caters for all community members regardless of age, ethnicity, sexuality, religion or beliefs,” he told Community Care Review.
Importance of embracing diversity
3Bridges Community says it is committed to enabling a culture of inclusion and diversity.
“It is extremely important to have a culture of inclusion and diversity to ensure all people whether it be staff, volunteers or people accessing 3Bridges’ services feel supported and safe,” Mr Nair said.
“(A place) where no one feels judged, isolated or discriminated against for their own individual beliefs and ideas.
“We want to continue to be a place that sets an example for welcoming all, a place where people feel free to voice their thoughts and ideas and feel accepted without feeling fear or prejudice.”
3Bridges does this by regularly checking in with clients and staff.
“Throughout the year, staff, volunteers and clients are provided surveys to check in and let us know how we are doing, what are we doing well and where are there areas for improvement,” Mr Nair said.
This feedback is then taken onboard and incorporated throughout the organisation, he said.
“One of the ways we do this is by incorporating that feedback when reviewing our strategic goals and pillars.
“In 2021, 3Bridges added the pillar to ‘Walk alongside Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islanders’, this was an outcome based on the feedback received and identifying a need in the community.”
A culture of inclusion and diversity
3Bridges delivers services that cater to the needs of each nationality, with 30 per cent of its aged care clients being multinational.
The team at 3Bridges also includes 14 members who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and it is supporting 34 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples through its NDIS team.
In 2020, there were 118 families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds that accessed its Early Years Support Service.
“Hard two years”
Premier Dominic Perrottet said in a statement it is important to recognise the contribution of the award winners.
“I know each and every one of the award recipients don’t do what they do for reward or recognition. Rather, they do it out of care for their communities and our state.”
Mr Coure said these awards are an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions made over the “hard two years” throughout the pandemic.
“From migrants and refugees to established communities struggling with lockdowns, it’s amazing to think how many lives are now better because these people and organisations chose to give back,” he said in a statement.
3Bridges will be introducing training programs in multiple languages to allow effective upskilling for community members from different backgrounds and has updated its recruitment and retention strategy to deliver services to multicultural background.
Main image: Premier Dominic Perrottet with CEO Raj Nair and colleagues (Image supplied by Salty Dingo)
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