21 local government and community service organisations will receive a share in close to $250,000 of funding support towards projects and initiatives aimed at reconnecting seniors impacted by social isolation during COVID-19.
Seniors and Ageing Minister Mick Murray congratulated the recipients of the Age-friendly Communities Social Connectivity Grants Program and highlighted the importance of initiatives that prevent older people from experiencing isolation and reduce the risk and occurrence of elder abuse.
The grants program is funded through the McGowan Government's WA Recovery Plan, and will see projects delivered in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields, Great Southern and throughout metropolitan Perth.
A diverse range of exciting projects will be delivered including an IT program supported by the Obbo Community Development Association of Western Australia to help older people stay connected with friends and families, a regular seniors coffee club run by the Shire of Narembeen promoting inclusion and community connection, and a 10-week seniors fitness and well-being program in the Shire of Bruce Rock.
The broad themes of the approved support grants include:
- fostering age-friendly communities that recognise diversity among older people;
- promoting seniors' inclusion and contribution;
- initiatives that respect the decisions and choices of older people; and
- projects that anticipate and respond to age-related needs and preferences.
Since its inception, the existing Age-friendly Communities Grants Program has contributed nearly $1 million in funding to local governments and community organisations across the State. In 2019-20, the program also included projects that promoted dementia-friendly communities.
A list of the successful grant projects can be viewed below, while further details about the Age-friendly Communities Grants Program can be found online.
As stated by Seniors and Ageing Minister Mick Murray:
"This funding program and the projects supported will enable local governments and community organisations to work collaboratively and proactively ensuring the inclusion of seniors into our communities.
"Initiatives supported through the Age-friendly Communities Social Connectivity Grants Program will assist in re-establishing seniors with their pre-pandemic connections, as we work to build long-term resilience in our State.
"The initiatives supported will help to reconnect our seniors to the community in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with these important connections now more valuable and fundamental than ever.
Successful projects:
| Applicant | Project |
| Shire of Coolgardie | Seniors Staying Connected |
| Ravensthorpe Community Resource Centre | Age-friendly Ravensthorpe |
| City of Albany | Pilot of Pop Up 'Library Lounges' |
| Obbo Community Development Association of Western Australia Inc. | Breaking the Socio-economic & Cultural Barriers Among Seniors |
| City of Wanneroo | Digital Literacy Program |
| Connect Victoria Park Inc. | Q-Connect |
| City of Fremantle | Together Again Café |
| City of Rockingham | Stay Connected Videos for Seniors |
| People Who Care Inc. | Good Spirit Good Life: 'Country' Connection |
| GLBTI Rights in Ageing Incorporated (GRAI) | The Queer Book Club Project |
| Umbrella Multicultural Community Care Services Inc. | Let's Get Social |
| Meekatharra Community Resource Centre | Meekatharra Family History Project |
| Shire of Waroona | Waroona EngAGE Program |
| City of Karratha | Contribution Towards the engagement Initiatives and Age friendly Strategy |
| Boyup Brook Community Resource Centre Inc. | Community Connector |
| Augusta Community Childcare Centre -Auspice by Lions Club of Leeuwin (Inc.) | Augusta Intergenerational Childcare |
| Shire of Narembeen | The Morning Coffee Club |
| Shire of Bruce Rock | Senior's Fitness Program |
| West Arthur Community Resource Centre | Improving the Connectivity and Social Interaction of Seniors |
| Inclusion Solutions Limited | Local and Social |
| Injury Control Council of Western Australia (Inc) | Community Connect 2021 |
