We do a lot with a little.
Help us to house and support asylum seekers and refugees in the Australian community.
Soiree Fundraiser – 28 May 2023
St Joseph’s Malvern Music Ministry in collaboration with Cabrini Choir present "Thank you for the Music" Sunday 28 May 2023, 2pm- 3pm St Josephs Church 47 Stanhope Street, Malvern VIC 3145 Followed by afternoon tea. Entry by donation at the door. All funds support the...
Refugee Week Afternoon Tea – 21 June 2023
"Finding Freedom" This is an opportunity to hear from some of the courageous people supported by BASP. As we know finding freedom is a long, slow and painful road. It is also inspiring for many of us who are amazed by stories of resilience and perseverance. Wednesday...
Refugee Week 18-24 June 2023
From Sunday 18 June to Saturday 24 June 2023 we will celebrate Refugee Week with the theme of 'Finding Freedom'. See the events calendar here Learn more about Refugee Week here You can register to host an online or in-person event or attend an event already on the...
You can help
- provide hospitality and practical support for people seeking asylum
- actively network with like-minded individuals and groups who are working for justice for asylum seekers
- promote advocacy for the rights of people seeking asylum
- engage in education about asylum seekers’ issues
- donate or volunteer
Our staff
BASP is staffed by a small team of dedicated experienced professionals, and Volunteers who kindly support our everyday work with an extraordinary range of expertise and experience.
Brigid Arthur, Project Coordinator
Brigid Arthur CSB is our Project coordinator and a Brigidine Sister with a long and passionate career as an educator. She has been described as ‘an octogenarian human rights advocate, protester and leader.’
(csb = Congregation of Sisters of Brigid)
Libby Saunders, Project Coordinator
Libby is an experienced social worker who worked in disability and community care before joining BASP in 2014.
Libby is mainly involved with housing and volunteers.
Aims
The Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP) is a Melbourne-based initiative of the Brigidine Sisters which aims to:
- Provide hospitality and practical support for people seeking asylum;
- Actively network with like-minded individuals and groups who are working for justice for asylum seekers;
- Promote advocacy for the rights of people seeking asylum;
- Engage in education about asylum seekers’ issues.
Volunteer
We have many volunteer opportunities e.g. volunteer for our Friendship through teaching English program, providing friendship and support to an asylum seeker family along with personalised assistance in everyday English. Help families settle in their Australian community by exploring local facilities and services together. Volunteers visit an assigned family once a week to offer friendship and support.
Please contact us to help.
Be informed about asylum seekers in Australia
Authorised Travellers
Contrary to the images sometimes projected by government and the media, most asylum seekers arrive in Australia by air as authorised travellers.
Ordinary Human Beings
Asylum seekers are ordinary human beings with the same emotions and reactions that most of us would have in similar circumstances.
Persecution
They have been involved in persecution in their own countries that we find hard to imagine from the safety of this country.