What is SIAG Brimbank?
The Social Inclusion Action Group (SIAG) Brimbank is a community-led group that works with Council to strengthen:
- social inclusion
- mental health and wellbeing.
SIAG brings people together to learn and help shape decisions that support a more connected and inclusive community. Its members are people from across Brimbank with diverse experiences and perspectives.
The vision
A Brimbank that is safe and welcoming, and where people feel respected, included and valued.
What does SIAG Brimbank do?
SIAG helps identify what matters to our community and strengthens social inclusion and improves mental health and wellbeing.
Over the life of the project, members will work together to:
- Build their understanding of local community needs.
- Hear from community members and subject matter experts.
- Identify priority areas for funding.
- Allocate funding to initiatives that will strengthen social inclusion and improve mental health and wellbeing across Brimbank.
The group’s work is guided by collaboration, shared learning and community voice, ensuring funding decisions reflect the needs and strengths of Brimbank’s diverse communities.
What do we know about social inclusion in Brimbank?
Social inclusion plays an important role in supporting mental health and wellbeing.
Through community consultation, research and a local needs analysis, SIAG is developing a deeper understanding of the experiences, strengths and challenges that exist across Brimbank.
The SIAG Brimbank Needs Analysis showed us:
- Brimbank is a strong, diverse and caring community.
Almost 200,000 residents contribute to our vibrant community through their cultures, languages and experiences.
- Feeling connected matters for people’s wellbeing. Social connection supports belonging, resilience and mental health, yet loneliness continues to affect many residents.
- We can build on local strengths. A wide network of community groups, services and Council programs already supports inclusion across Brimbank.
- Some people still face barriers to joining in. Challenges such as cost, transport, language and accessibility can limit participation.
- People want spaces and activities where they feel safe, welcome and represented. We’ve been told inclusion is about trust, safety, representation and the ability to participate in community life.
- The community wants practical action. More than 150 people contributed to the SIAG consultation, calling for visible, community-led action.
We'll use these findings to fund practical, community-led action that will help people feel connected, represented and included.
Download the SIAG Brimbank Needs Analysis Summary Report (PDF 3.4MB)
Want to know more?
If you would like to learn more about SIAG Brimbank or have a question about the project, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at siag@brimbank.vic.gov.au
