Nine projects to support South Australians to age well will share $200,000 in funding in Office for Ageing Well's Age Friendly SA Grants.
Office for Ageing Well Director, Cassie Mason, said the projects will help older South Australians to share experiences, participate in their community and keep connected close to home.
"Once COVID-19 restrictions have eased, it will be more important than ever for older people to get out and actively participate in their communities to support their health and wellbeing," Ms Mason said.
"The successful projects will make a real difference to their local communities, including bringing together school students and older people to cook and share a meal together.
"Other activities will range from supporting aspiring middle-aged entrepreneurs to use virtual reality to journey into the past, and inspiring those facing up to retirement.
"It's wonderful to be able to support projects that align with our commitment to ensure that the State supports opportunities for South Australians to age well."
The City of Unley's partnership with two researchers from UniSA's Centre for Workplace Excellence will receive $20,800 to develop a community program to promote entrepreneurship among mature-age people.
The Town of Walkerville will receive $3,000 for The Nourishing Table project to provide socially isolated people with four lunches per school term over 12 months. Year six and seven students from Vale Park Primary School will develop a menu and assist with cooking for vulnerable community members.
The City of Tea Tree Gully Library will receive $12,000 for six virtual reality headsets and to develop a program connecting older people with past memories and current day immersive experiences.
The Cities of Salisbury, Charles Sturt, Playford and Port Adelaide Enfield have been awarded $40,700 to offer Think Human's Mindset for Life program for people in, or transitioning to, retirement across the north-west.
Adelaide Hills Council, Mount Barker District Council and Alexandrina Council will receive $45,000 for The Wellbeing Project to support and develop the wellbeing of older people.
A grant of $23,600 for the Tumby Bay - A Better Place to Live grant will allow the District Council to appoint a project officer to consult with older residents on better ways of engagement.
The City of Charles Sturt will use $9,900 to fund 12 snapshot workshops informed by older residents' feedback on their interests and how to age well.
The Barossa Council will use $20,000 for a This is Me - Character Strengths Profiling Project to seek older people's stories of how character strengths have helped them contribute positively to society and how they can extend this.
The Regional Council of Goyder will spend $25,000 to create a Virtual Community Hub to support older people in Burra develop technology and social platforms skills so they can manage social activities online. The project will create a network to help to sustain local volunteering and community groups.
All projects are expected to begin once COVID-19 restrictions have eased.
Office for Ageing Well has provided a total of $750,000 for 33 local government Age Friendly grant projects since 2016.
