Connection to Services a Key Priority for Thrive 50+ Healthy Ageing Hubs in Northern Grampians Shire
Residents, community groups and health organisations gathered at the Stawell Library on Wednesday 6 February for the official opening of the Stawell Thrive 50+ Healthy Ageing Hub, a new health-driven service initiative developed by Northern Grampians Shire Council.
Funded as a pilot project by the Western Victoria Primary Health Network (PHN) and managed by the Northern Grampians Shire Council in collaboration with health partners Grampians Health and East Wimmera Health Service, the Thrive 50+ Healthy Ageing Hub is a forward-thinking program designed to connect residents in the shire aged 50 years and older into community services, activities and events and to empower those who access the service to make their own choices as they age. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) people are eligible starting from 45 years of age.
The service will be offered by the council at the Stawell Library (7-9 Sloane Street, Stawell) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 5pm, with interested residents able to sit down for a cuppa and a chat with a dedicated Hub Connections Officer from the council, offering individual support including service navigation and supported referral, alongside a series of curated health promotion sessions, skill-building activities, promotion of volunteering opportunities, and social connection events.
The Stawell Thrive 50 + Healthy Ageing Hub opening was well-attended with representatives from Northern Grampians Shire Council greeting the diverse audience with Mayor, Cr Rob Haswell, officially opening the hub alongside CEO, Brent McAlister.
"The Thrive 50+ Healthy Ageing Hub is an invaluable initiative for the residents of Northern Grampians Shire and has been designed to support our population by ensuring that they are well-connected and as healthy and active as can be moving forward. When council staff reached out to residents, the overwhelming feedback was that people of this target age-bracket – fifty-years and older – would like to be able to access an in-person service that offers tailored advice, ideally alleviating any anxiety or confusion about the availability of services and activities on offer throughout the shire. It is something that we should celebrate and a life stage we can thrive in," said Mayor Haswell.
"Our residents want to come in, sit down for a cuppa and a chat with someone who has access to all this information and can help connect them to the right information about the most suitable services on offer and to help them navigate it all. Now they can. The council staff at Thrive 50+ Healthy Ageing Hub are there to support our residents to stay healthy, active, connected and empowered by offering individual support and tailored advice starting now. Ageing isn't something to shy away from, it's something that we can all prepare ourselves for and this service is a great way to do that," added Mayor Haswell.
The council will also open a Thrive 50+ Healthy Ageing Hub in St Arnaud, inside the Shire Offices at 40 Napier Street, and will begin servicing the community on Wednesday 14 February. This service will open Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am to 5pm.
