Federico Ferrari uses his own experience as a migrant and a world traveller to volunteer to support new arrived refugees in Australia.

Federico volunteers with migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia in Footscray, in Melbourne’s west, helping newly arrived refugees improve their English and navigate a new society.

“We help people with their English and with things like using public transport, accessing services and generally navigating a new and unfamiliar country,” he said.

“It’s also about helping people deal with the bureaucracy, acquiring language and identifying the skills they will require; there’s also an emotional side to the support we provide. As a migrant myself, I can sympathise with some of the things our clients are going through,” Federico said.

Originally from Italy, Federico came to Australia in 2007 on a working holiday. As a chef, with his skills in short supply, he was offered a sponsored visa by a restaurant and eventually became a citizen.

“I have also travelled widely in Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia which has helped me connect with some of the people I support,” Federico said.

“And my experience as a migrant also helps me, although my circumstances are different in that I chose to leave my homeland. The people we work with had no choice,” he said.

Federico says he finds volunteering very rewarding and plans to follow a new career in the community service sector.

“I find the volunteering work I do very rewarding. It is a good feeling to be able to make a difference in people’s lives and I get as much out of it as I put in,” he said.

“I’m learning more about different cultures and I’m improving my cultural competency.

“My own experiences mean I can relate to and connect with the people I support.”

As well as English, Italian, French and Spanish, Federico speaks a little Arabic and Amharic as a result of his travels.

“So, amazingly, I’m learning a little more of those languages also,” he said.

“I would recommend volunteering to anyone who has the time. It is a truly rewarding experience,” Federico said.

To find out more about volunteering with AMES Australia, phone: 03 99384206 or email: volunteer@ames.net.au