Companion House: Assisting Survivors of Torture and Trauma

13/06/2026

The Socceroos speak up against anti-immigration rhetoric. No matter where you come from, football is for everyone. And everyone from a migrant or refugee background is a cherished member of our community.

11/06/2026

Last weekend we had a wonderful time with the ninth annual Karen Masterchef competition. Ten teams competed for the top prize and all the teams produced amazing food which everyone got to eat after the judging was completed. This much loved event showcases culture, skills, friendship and community strength. Congratulations to everyone who participated!

10/06/2026

Congratulations Mohammed Ali from all of us at Companion House! Mohammed is also a board member of Companion House at the same time as the wonderful contribution he has made through HelpingACT. He has provided so much support over the years to so many people. Thank you Mohammed

Mohammed Ali, founder of food relief charity Helping ACT, has been awarded an OAM in the King’s Birthday Honours this year, in recognition of his charity’s tireless efforts to ensure that “nobody sleeps hungry” in Canberra.

Since founding HelpingACT in 2018, Mr Ali and the charity’s volunteers have supported vulnerable Canberrans through food hampers, school breakfast programs, community meals and emergency support.

“Hunger has no belief, and poverty has no religion, so we cannot discriminate on the basis of colour or race when it comes to the basic need of food,” Mr Ali said.

Read more: canberradaily.com.au/mohammed-ali-oam-helpingact-founder-honoured-as-need-rises

28/05/2026

All the staff at Companion House are very diligent in keeping their first aid training up to date. We had a full day yesterday with St John Ambulance so Companion House and all our activities are as safe for everyone as they possibly can be.

21/05/2026

A very happy and joyful Eid Ul Adha coming up next week to all our Muslim friends and community members. Companion House will be hosting an Eid party for women and girls from Afghanistan next week. Our dear friends from HelpingACT have also brought beautiful gifts for children and lovely dresses for the celebration - a big thanks for their generosity and thoughtfulness. In our photo: Sumeiya, Manar, Andrew, Mohammad, Glenn and Lailuma

14/05/2026

Stacey is our lovely nurse practitioner at Companion House. A nurse practitioner is a highly trained registered nurse who can diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications and order medical tests. Stacey works in primary healthcare but also specialises in blood borne viruses and STIs. As well as seeing our individual patients she has also facilitated some important community education sessions.

07/05/2026

Don’t forget to get tickets to this year’s ANU Med R***e May 28 - May 30 at the Erindale Theatre. As well as being a fantastic show all the proceeds go to support the work of Companion House

30/04/2026

As well as counselling, case work, community development and training, Companion House has a busy and dedicated primary health care service (6 GPs and 5 nurses) for asylum seekers, recently arrived people from refugee backgrounds, and people with complex care needs.
While we have over 1500 active patients, our medical team focuses on long appointments, interpreter use and respectful and accessible health care. For many community members our medical service is their first experience of Companion House.
Ally is our wonderful Medical Team Leader and Lead Practice Nurse.

23/04/2026

One of our community members has just received his Australian citizenship, after a very long asylum journey and after being stateless his whole life until now. It was a very sweet surprise in every way when he had these beautiful cakes delivered to Companion House to celebrate.
He is a courageous and inspiring person. Australia is a richer country today for counting him as one of our citizens.

16/04/2026

Companion House has a monthly support and friendship group for LGBTIQA+ people from refugee backgrounds. So far, we have met together to chat, visited galleries, shared walks in nature and watched some movies. Our next get together is a picnic. We're planning an art workshop and some baking and other activities. One of our participants said recently it was the gentlest group he had participated in, which was really nice to hear.
Our Companion House Rainbow Social Club is facilitated by Hanalei and Glenn and we welcome any new participants from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds.