Clients are asylum seekers from countries including China, Bangladesh, Sierra Leone, Indonesia, Pakistan and Zimbabwe who are not able to access basic healthcare and are not eligible for Medicare while their claims for refugee protection are being assessed. They are unable to work or volunteer to cover healthcare costs. Many have serious health conditions related to experiences of torture and trauma in their home countries and also associated with fleeing persecution and fear of being returned to their home countries.

Concern for the safety of their families and uncertainty about their futures also contribute adversely to their health and well-being. Many suffer physical pain, nutritional problems, psychological and emotional issues, insomnia, chronic disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), acute pain syndromes and migraines.

Complementary medicine is globally recognised for providing effective treatment and relief of conditions such as these. Our services include a naturopath, remedial massage therapist and Feldenkrais practitioner providing regular treatments to ASC clients at their inner city premises in Sydney. We also have an Shiatsu Therapist supporting ASC paid and voluntary staff on a regular basis. Our services promote active healthy lifestyles and  physical well-being. For example, our Feldenkrais practitioner assists clients to better understand how to move and heal their bodies in ‘Awareness through Movement’ education sessions. The naturopathic consultations include the distribution of herbal medicines for common ailments, nutritional supplements and lifestyle advice promoting good nutritional practices and regular physical activity. All services help improve physical, emotional and psychological well-being through transferring life-skills and support to help recipients care for themselves and their bodies. All clients are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Clients are high-risk, disadvantaged and homeless youth (16-21 years) living in 24-hour emergency crisis accommodation or medium-term supported accommodation in the inner city of Sydney. Most experience symptoms such as: significant dietary problems and poor nutrition, drug and alcohol use and addictions, stress and other mental health issues (including depression, chronic stress and suicidal tendencies),auto-immune deficiencies and disorders, weight and skin problems, low self-esteem, social isolation, dysfunctional family support, and interrupted education and employment. Many come from disadvantaged families that are unable to effectively provide support or impart skills to encourage healthy living to these young people.

Complementary medicine has many effective treatments for the management and relief of conditions such as these which can be administered alongside orthodox medical care and counseling services. Naturopathic consultations have been provided to these young people (some of whom are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent or from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds) as well as Oasis’ paid and voluntary staff at their inner city premises on a weekly basis since October 2006. Two experienced Naturopaths are the first point of contact with The One Health Organisation as they meet the youth near their accommodation to distribute fresh juices with multi-vitamins and some dietary supplements.

The consultations provided over the last 2 years have actively promoted healthier lifestyles and included a broad range of lifestyle services including nutritional and dietary advice and dispensing of herbal medicine in addition to counselling. These services have helped clients develop key life-skills. The project is currently being reviewed while a shift in focus and possible expansion of our services is under consideration.

Clients are all survivors of torture and trauma. All are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and include many refugees from Bosnia, Serbia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and various African countries (such as Somalia and Sudan). The clients typically experience various degrees of stress, physical pain, psychological and emotional distress, insomnia, social disconnection and isolation, chronic
disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), acute pain syndromes and migraines.

We began a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinic more than 2 ½ years ago which currently operates weekly in Auburn, in western Sydney with a practitioner that has recently become a permanent paid employee. This was a wonderful outcome for the clients as integration and stability of services is our ultimate goal. Clients are treated with acupuncture and other TCM practices which have proven clinical success in PTSD and pain management, positively assisting their recovery and healing. We also have a voice and dance movement specialist who facilitates regular sessions with a Middle Eastern Women's Group focusing on InterPlay techniques (improvised movement, storytelling, song and play) to encourage their self-expression and healing. All clients are supported to develop key life-skills and lead healthy lives and are learning to reconnect with community, to trust and receive support and to care for themselves both physically and emotionally.

This project was a partnering with Harambee Australia and was lead by Natalie Wareham. Harambee Australia has been formed out of a vision to create an avenue for community change and healing in Kenya. Together with The One Health Organisation, Harambee Australia sent a team of ten Holistic Health Care practitioners to Kenya, including Homeopaths, Kinesiologists and Counsellors. The focus for the practitioner aspect of the project was on those who have suffered traumas such as physical and sexual violence, war and those who are exposed to the trauma of living in slums and poverty. These conditions are all escalating and reaching in to every aspect of Kenyan society and the problem will continue as those attacked become attackers and future victims reacting out of fear, protection and because they have forgotten what it means to feel safe. The project was heralded as a great success and has attracted significant interest and support from government agencies and NGO's alike.

The One Health Organisation is currently negotiating with several community partners in order to re-establish a Homeless Persons project, after the temporary closing down of our previous project for this group. The project will focus on the issue of malnutrition facing many of Australia’s homeless, and will be seeking industry support in order to distribute basic nutritional supplements.

The One Health Organisation has commenced initial dialogues with Indigenous groups and leaders about establishing a project in collaboration with existing community groups. The project would focus on Traditional Medicine as a point of social exchange and cultural recognition.