The Welcome Group will host its fifth jam session on Sunday 6 December at Kindred Studios, Yarraville, Victoria. Starting at midday, the event provides an opportunity for refugees to meet locals, while making music in a friendly, welcoming environment. Everyone is invited – from beginners to experienced musicians.

In addition to informal jam sessions, there’ll also be workshops. For example, the Street Sounds Project, which is run by Community Music Victoria, will host ‘Rough Riffs’ at 12.15pm. It’s an instrumental music-making workshop for players of all levels of skill and experience.

Meanwhile, Spring Clean For Refugees will run a stall all afternoon. Throughout October and November, this group has been collecting donations of clothes, shoes and toys to distribute to refugees.

The Welcome Group, founded in 2013, works with case management organisations and trauma and torture workers to support newly arrived refugees in Australia. The jam session is part of its Share the Music programme, which provides refugees with access to musical instruments and mentoring, and galvanises the support of Melbourne’s music community.