LiverWELL delivers hepatitis B education to Melton AMEP students

In the final week of October, LiverWELL partnered with Djerriwarrh Community and Education Services to deliver eight Living Well with Hepatitis B workshops across its Melton and Harvester Road campuses. More than 130 students from diverse cultural backgrounds and English language levels participated in the workshops, which aimed to build knowledge and understanding of hepatitis B and its impact on individuals and communities. Students explored key topics including how hepatitis B is transmitted, ways to prevent infection, the importance of testing and the availability of hepatitis B vaccination. Through interactive activities, group discussions and storytelling, participants were encouraged to ask questions, share their knowledge and learn in a supportive environment. Presentations were also adapted to accommodate students with lower levels of English, ensuring the information was accessible, relevant and easy to understand.

For many students, the workshops provided their first opportunity to learn about hepatitis B, helping to address common misconceptions and highlight the importance of knowing your hepatitis B status. Discussions also explored the role of early diagnosis, ongoing monitoring and treatment in preventing serious liver complications, as well as the importance of challenging stigma and misinformation surrounding the virus. Multilingual resources were provided to support students in continuing their learning beyond the classroom and sharing important information with their families and wider communities. Teachers praised the workshops for being engaging, informative and accessible, highlighting the value of delivering culturally responsive health education in community learning settings. By creating opportunities for open discussion and providing practical, easy-to-understand information, LiverWELL and Djerriwarrh Community and Education Services helped empower students to make informed decisions about their liver health and become advocates for greater hepatitis B awareness within their communities.