A NSW government funded program with Royal Life Saving NSW is helping seniors in the Hunter region learn to stay safe and build confidence in the water, while socialising with others in the pool.
It is one of 21 organisations across NSW to receive funding under the $600,000 Connecting Seniors grants program which aims to help older people stay connected.
The Royal Life Saving Active Adults program has been running in Lake Macquarie during the Seniors Festival and new programs have been released for Maitland, Central Coast and Bateman's Bay. The sessions comprise three, one-hour sessions covering CPR and a review of health factors to consider when exercising, an in-pool water-safety session and a swimming or water activity.
The Connecting Seniors grant program builds on previous grants, which have been proven to reduce social isolation for thousands of seniors in NSW.
The recipients include 16 not-for-profit organisations and five local councils organising a variety of activities to cater to all interests. More than half of the projects will support seniors living in regional NSW and about one-third will assist Aboriginal people over 50 and seniors with disability.
The grants deliver on the Ageing Well in NSW: Seniors Strategy 2021-2031, with the Government committed to creating a more inclusive community and addressing isolation and loneliness.
More information about the grants program and the full list of recipients.
Find out more about the Royal Life Saving program.
Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison said:
"The Connecting Seniors Grants support activities which can provide a social lifeline for seniors, especially those who live alone.
"The NSW Government is pleased to be partnering with Royal Life Saving NSW in this program, which not only provides seniors with a refresher in water safety to help them stay active, it also contributes to their wellbeing as they connect with others in and out of the pool.
"As our population ages, we want to make sure we provide our seniors with opportunities to socialise while enjoying engaging experiences."
Minister for the Hunter and Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley said:
"This is a great opportunity for Hunter seniors to get out and try something new.
"Getting in the water is a part of the lifestyle here as anyone from the Hunter knows. That should be for everyone.
"This grant supports an important program run by Royal Life Saving NSW, making sure we support our seniors to enjoy the water with their families."
Royal Life Saving NSW Manager for the Hunter Tanya Brunckhorst said:
"Building your fitness and confidence around the water as you age is as important as it was when you first learned to swim as a child, and we are calling all older adults to seek out new ways to get active.
"Last year, the leading contributing factors in drownings among Australians over 65 included low levels of fitness, trips or falls, lack of swimming and survival skills and underlying health conditions. The 65 to 74 year age group is one of our most vulnerable populations, representing 30 per cent of those who drowned last year.
"Any regular, structured activity helps build fitness, improves your ability to manage in the water and offers fantastic social community benefits."
