Reducing Social Isolation for Seniors Grant

3Bridges Community - CaLD Men Connected

Our project will deliver purposeful social connections and engagement for 50 men aged 65 years+ from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds living in the Inner West region. Our suite of recreational and educational fortnightly workshops will improve their overall health and wellbeing. This project operates in Inner West, and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness

For more information, please contact admin.carsspark@3bridges.org.au

ACON - Living Older Visibly Engaged (LOVE) Club for LGBTQ+ Seniors Goes Regional

ACON's LOVE Club for LGBTQ+ seniors will expand beyond Sydney to the regions of NSW. The LOVE Club is a social connection and health promotion initiative addressing the need among sexuality and gender diverse communities. The LOVE Club will host local events utilising existing networks and groups involving seniors.

This project operates in Albury, Central Coast, Coffs Harbour, Kyogle, Lismore, Newcastle, Wagga Wagga and Wollongong, and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness

For more information, please contact jmurray@acon.org.au

Australian Foundation for Disability - Inviting Our Disadvantaged Seniors to Start Living and Be Included

Supporting our senior people with disabilities to engage with other people of their community, learn new internet and computer skills and for many learn basic English conversation skills in order to make new friends and learn new lifestyle skills. Our elderly people with disability are disengaged from their own communities

This project operates in Blacktown, Camden, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Hawkesbury, Inner West, Liverpool City, Parramatta, Penrith, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and Wollongong, and targets the following priority groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness
• Seniors who are carers

For more information, please contact info@afford.com.au

Bathurst Regional Council - Creating Connections

Creating Connections provides an opportunity for a group of 25 isolated seniors to explore a variety of social activities offered in the region from chair yoga to continuing education.  During the program participants will also be provided with information on health and well-being for seniors from qualified providers.

This project operates in Bathurst, and targets the following priority groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• Seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas
• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds

For more information, please contact council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au

Bega Valley Shire Council - Words and Music: A Seniors Social

Words and Music is a 8 month program of monthly activity in the library comprising a book/theme discussion with a related musical performance, morning tea and transport to the library based on a curated theme each month.

This project operates in Bega Valley, and targets the following priority group:

• Seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas

For more information, please contact mjordan-jones@begavalley.nsw.gov.au

Bridge Housing  - The Golden Oldies Program

The Golden Oldies Program offers older social housing tenants living at our Elger Street complex in Glebe with the opportunity to participate in a range of recreational activities, including light exercise classes, board game nights and day trips, in order to connect with each other and build relationships.

This project operates in Sydney, and targets the following priority groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness

For more information, please contact S.Barclay@bridgehousing.org.au

Clarence Valley Council (Clarence Regional Library) - Your Vintage Film Club

A monthly film club to help Seniors in the Clarence Valley and Bellingen Shire stay social and connected. Seniors can meet up at five libraries in the region each month to watch a film and enjoy a guided film discussion and afternoon tea. Seniors vote on the film each month.

This project operates in Bellingen and Clarence Valley, and targets the following priority group:

• Seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas

For more information, please contact kathryn.breward@clarence.nsw.gov.au

Dance Health Alliance - DanceWell - Community Dance Classes for Seniors

DanceWell and DanceMoves are community dance programs created especially for seniors and people living with mobility issues such Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease or Arthritis. Each 60-minute class is led by a qualified Dance Health Alliance teacher and combines seated and standing movement sequences proving anyone can be a dancer regardless of age/ability.

This project operates in Lane Cove, North Sydney and Willoughby, and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness

For more information, please contact info@dancehealthalliance.org.au

Diabetes NSW & ACT -  Beat-It In-Language

Beat-It in-Language is an 8-week program that uses exercise classes and education sessions to address social inclusion issues faced by older people who speak Mandarin. Each week it will bring together people with a common goal and shared experiences to foster social connections within a safe and culturally supportive environment.

This project operates in Blacktown, Burwood, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Georges River, Hornsby, Inner West, North Sydney, Parramatta, Ryde, Strathfield and Sydney, and targets the following priority group:

• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds

For more information, please contact katiea@diabetesnsw.com.au

Graceades Community Cottage - Graceades Indigenous Oldies

Older Indigenous men and women from the suburbs of Mt Druitt meet at the Graceades Fantasy Garden to plan Aboriginal Story-telling, Art, Dance, Culture and bush-tucker for the local kids in surrounding suburbs.  These elders come together to share their wisdom and knowledge with one-another, kids and young people.

This project operates in Blacktown, and targets the following priority group:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over

For more information, please contact gccott@bigpond.net.au

Heartdancers - Rhythm is Life: Together We Move, Together We Connect

The project aims to increase social connectedness and improve the general wellbeing of older people living in Fairfield and Liverpool LGAs, through weekly safe, inclusive, age and culturally appropriate community dance and creative movement classes. Every 6-8 weeks a different culture will be explored through dance/movement, music, rhythm and storytelling.

This project operates in Fairfield and Liverpool City, and targets the following priority groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness

For more information, please contact deepa@heartdancers.org.au

Holbrook & Walla Walla Meals & Social Support Services - Sconeversations

Scones and Conversations. Providing opportunities and connections to foster social inclusion. Social morning tea group discussing events of the day, topics of general interest and encouraging friendship. Providing opportunity to share concerns, feelings, achievements, and happiness.  Opportunity to form social connections through fellowship and shared interests. In Holbrook and Cucairn.

This project operates in Greater Hume, and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness
• Seniors who are carers

For more information, please contact office@holbrookmealsonwheels.com.au

Kingsgrove Community Aid Centre - Seniors Connect Coffee and Wellness Club

A program that supports seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities to connect and access activities in an appropriate venue enhancing their social skills and wellbeing. The Program entails activities that promote togetherness, reduce isolation, improve mental health and physical activity. A welcoming place to interact in a supported environment.

This project operates in Bayside, Canterbury-Bankstown and Georges River, and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness

For more information, please contact anne@kcac.org.au

Link Wentworth Housing - Age Well, Live Well - Social Support Clubs for Link Housing Residents

Link Housing will establish social support clubs for older residents. The clubs will meet weekly and participate in a range of productive social activities and receive support from local aged-care partners.

This project operates in Ryde, and targets the following priority group:

• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds

For more information, please contact Alice.Taylor@linkwentworth.org.au

Lismore City Council (Lismore City Library) - Lismore Library Activity Hub

The Lismore Library will become a hub of activity for older people. There will be board games, jigsaws, gardening, podcasts and technology to be learnt. This project aims to bring older people together while they are doing things they love, and gaining new learning.

This project operates in Lismore.

For more information, please contact lucy.kinsley@rtrl.nsw.gov.au

Lithgow City Council - Tovertafel ‘Magic Table’, Bringing People Together

Our project is to provide regular and on-going ‘Magic Table’, sessions for seniors in our community with dementia, working with Lithgow Dementia Alliance. The Tovertafel ‘Magic Table’ comes with games that provide social, physical and cognitive interaction which is beneficial to our seniors.

This project operates in Lithgow, and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness

For more information, please contact sharon.lewis@lithgow.nsw.gov.au

Liverpool City Council - Seniors on Tour

This project is aimed at reducing social isolation for seniors via digital discovery tours using introductory VR technology, curated by local tour guides. The project will generate interactivity, learning, and knowledge sharing, through a hands-on approach which enables participants to take home the experience to share with their family and friends.

This project operates in Liverpool City, and targets the following priority groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds

For more information, please contact newsomej@liverpool.nsw.gov.au

Melkite Catholic Welfare Association - Let's Get Together

This project will operate over 9 months through 2021 and 2022 every two weeks and will include the Stepping On program together with fun outings around the Outer Sydney area to both National Parks/seaside and local clubs and two craft sessions.

This project operates in Blacktown, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool City, and targets the following priority group:

• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds

For more information, please contact welfare@melkite.org.au

Mission Australia Housing - Active Senior Empowerment (ASE)

Targeting seniors across low socio-economic neighbourhoods, delivering evidenced senior-tailored therapeutic community gardening projects, thereby reducing social isolation and loneliness post bushfires, floods and public health restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Coffs Harbour and Bellingen LGAs.

This project operates in Bellingen and Coffs Harbour, and targets the following priority groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• Seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas
• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness

For more information, please contact taylorje@missionaustralia.com.au

Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation - Connecting Across Country - Elders Gatherings

This project will provide transport, facilitation and catering for a newly-founded Yaegl Elders Group to travel, meet and interact with Aboriginal elders from other communities. This experience is to allow communities to reconnect, share life stories and create understanding of life's hardships within Aboriginal communities with other groups.

This project operates in Ballina, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kyogle, Lismore, Nambucca, Richmond Valley and Tweed, and targets the following priority group:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over

For more information, please contact mudyalaaboriginalcorporation@outlook.com

NovaCare Community Services - Hungry for more

NovaCare and The Wholesome Collective will show consumers how to prepare nutritious meals with pantry staples and seasonal produce (without skimping on FLAVOUR). They will learn how to make delicious and nutritionally balanced meals to optimise their health and leave them feeling more confident and part of a community.

This project operates in Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Newcastle and Port Stephens, and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness
• Seniors who are carers

For more information, please contact teresab@novacare.org.au

Rotary Club of Ryde - D Caf Ryde

A weekly meeting over coffee for senior dementia sufferers and their carers, allowing for social interaction, mutual support and services provided by occupational therapists, physiotherapists and psychologists to assist with mobility and cognition, with volunteer support from Rotarians.

This project operates in Ryde, and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness
• Seniors who are carers

For more information, please contact johndodd@cluemail.com

SCRAP (School Communities Recycling All Paper) Ltd - Senior Organic Gardening Team

SCRAP Ltd manages the Holsworthy Community Garden for all our community. This project aims to offer the beauty and peace of gardening to our seniors so they may undertake supported, healthy physical activity and enjoy social interactions safely in the open air, for up to 3 hours fortnightly.

This project operates in Liverpool City, and targets the following priority groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors who are carers

For more information, please contact support@scrapltd.com.au

Stride Mental Health Services - Connection for Carers

Stride will work with isolated or at-risk older people who are carers of those experiencing mental illness. We will facilitate a range of social, self-care, and educational events aimed at reducing social isolation by connecting people, supporting fitness and creativity, enhancing knowledge, and improving wellbeing.

This project operates in Kiama, Randwick, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Sutherland Shire, Sydney and Wollongong, and targets the following priority group:

• Seniors who are carers

For more information, please contact stridebd@stride.com.au

The Wagga Wagga Women’s Shed -  Wagga Women's Shed Garden

The area Wagga Women’s Shed rents includes disused tennis courts. It is our desire to convert some of this with raised garden beds. We are wanting to grow vegetables, fruit and herbs for sharing with the ladies involved, as well as some fruit trees and a sensory area

This project operates in Wagga Wagga, and targets the following priority groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• Seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness

For more information, please contact waggawaggawomensshed@hotmail.com

Wesley Community Services Ltd (Wesley Mission) - Reducing Social Isolation For Male Carers From CaLD Backgrounds

Male caregivers (or carers) from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds are a growing community in NSW and widely considered as 'hidden'. Through this project, Wesley Mission will create two groups of lasting social connections for 30 CaLD male carers who are at the risk of social isolation.

This project operates in Georges River, and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors who are carers

For more information, please contact Chris.England@wesleymission.org.au

Cessnock City Council - Creating Connections: Including Making and Keeping Memories in a Digital Age

This project involves the provision of twenty one-hour friendly technology workshops along a "memories and connection" theme. In addition, we would hold four community history walks with our Local History Librarian and a catered picnic for seniors at each. We would hold two walking history events and picnics at two of our local historically significant sites - Bridges Hill and Chinaman's Hollow.

This project operates in Cessnock, and targets the following priority group:

Seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas

For more information, please contact susan.davy@cessnock.nsw.gov.au

Counterpoint Community Services - Tea and Tellers

“I’m going to Memory Lane. Wanna come?” ‘Memory Lane’ is a weekly story-sharing workshop designed to provide isolated seniors with a community, a voice, and a meaningful space to be heard. Conducted over the magic of morning tea and facilitated by theatre-maker and storyteller, Bethany Simons, this project will build seniors’ confidence, expression and creativity by fostering social connection through conversation. Delivered as a ten-week program in three locations across Sydney, Memory Lane will target senior public housing residents. Story contributions will be curated into a printed booklet, audio and film outcomes to celebrate and preserve the wisdom of local elders.

This project operates in Sydney.

For more information, please contact a.antonelli@coutnerpointcs.org.au

Cumberland City Council - Seniors Foodies Club

Holding 15 seniors foodies sessions across five wards. At the sessions, seniors will enjoy a cooking demonstration by our multicultural chefs at local restaurants and enjoy a meal. At these intimate events, seniors will meet other seniors that share a love for food. They will learn/ share cooking techniques, taste new cuisines or simply enjoy a dish together. Will target isolated food lovers that will connect, make some new friends, feel empowered whilst sharing dining experiences. We will target restaurants that feature menus/ dishes from our main community language groups/ food: Asian, Middle Eastern, Sub Continental. Ensure accessibility, provide support.

This project operates in Cumberland, and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness
• Seniors who are carers

For more information, please contact jaqueline.andres@cumberland.nsw.gov.au

Dunghutti Elders Council - Reducing Social Isolation for Dunghutti Elders by Travelling to Country

The project aims to take senior members of the Dunghutti community who live in the Mid North Coast town of Kempsey out onto Country in groups of twenty at a time. Members will share stories and language together on the traditional lands of the Dunghutti Nation and take the opportunity to fish at beaches, creeks, and rivers. Transport will be via the twenty-two-seater Community Bus already owned by the Dunghutti Elders Council. Trips will be made fortnightly with different groups of people over the course of the year, with a total of around one hundred members of the community benefitting.

This project operates in Kempsey, and targets the following priority groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• Seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas

For more information, please contact admin@decac.com.au

Eleanor Dark Foundation - Literary Links - a Social Inclusion Program for Regional and LGBTIQA+ Writers Over 65 Years Living in NSW

In a program designed to build enduring connections and reduce social isolation, seniors will develop their creative writing skills in a welcoming, inclusive environment.
The program includes:

• A six-week in-person writing group specifically for twelve seniors from the Central West region (Lithgow)
• A two-week intensive online writing course specifically for twelve seniors who identify as LGBTIQA+
• A special social event at the 2022 Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival, enabling all twenty-four participants to meet and attend Festival events together
• The set-up of two ongoing writers groups, one in-person and one online, was designed to be self-managed and self-sustaining.

This project operates in all NSW (LBTIQA+) and Lithgow (Central West), and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas
• Seniors who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer or asexual (LGBTIQA+)

For more information, please contact rebecca@varuna.com.au

Exodus Youth Worx - Seniors Community Connect

We are seeking the opportunity to enhance those senior members of our community and into greater far-reaching areas who have been impacted by COVID-19, and the everyday effects of social isolation.  We seek to offer and be of service to our seniors by developing and creating regular programs that uplift, reconnect and provide opportunities for them to reintegrate into the community.   We believe the introduction and engagement for our seniors to become involved in our regular fortnightly social groups, art therapy, movement classes, external outings and guest-speaker presentations fundamentally reduces the risk of continued social isolation for our seniors.

This project operates in Bayside and Georges River, and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors who are carers

For more information, please contact sarah@exodusyouthworx.org.au

Great Community Transport - Aboriginal Community Connection Project

Western Sydney is proudly home to one of the largest and most diverse populations of first nations people in Australia.  The Aboriginal Community Connection Project will generate social connection and improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal community members over the age of fifty through an innovative process of relationship building, service provision and co-design.
The project will engage local Aboriginal elders, Aboriginal led organisations and Aboriginal community groups in planning and delivering a program of social outings, leading into a series of co-design events, and finally, a pilot phase testing a community-driven solution to social isolation.

This project operates in Blacktown, Blue Mountains and Penrith, and targets the following priority group:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over

For more information, please contact heatherc@activecarenetwork.org.au

Holdsworth Community - Outreach Program: Breaking Barriers for Seniors in Social Housing in South-Eastern Sydney

Holdsworth's Outreach Program connects with elderly people living in public housing in Randwick LGA, to provide life-changing social support services, breaking through barriers of isolation, mistrust, lack of knowledge and inequity.

Partnering with social housing hubs with local experience to run a forty week, six bi-weekly multi-hub rolling sub-programs, of group morning teas, to pinpoint individual needs and share information whilst building enduring relationships & trust.

By supporting participants to link to tailored social support services (transport and wellbeing groups, meals and support packages), our vision is to create long-lasting social connection opportunities & reduce isolation for residents.

This project operates in Randwick, and targets the following priority groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness
• Seniors who are carers

For more information, please contact joujou.faulkner@holdsworth.org.au

Hornsby Shire Council - Hello Hornsby: Connecting Seniors in Hornsby Shire

This project aims to provide opportunities for Seniors to connect with other Seniors and with our diverse and exciting community, all while having fun.  We will host a series of monthly events (with an emphasis on recreation, education and wellbeing), held in different locations across Hornsby Shire, that encourage people to step outside their door and comfort zone to try something new. The aim will be to reduce isolation in our Seniors by providing a variety of opportunities to get to know other Seniors, their neighbours and their community.

This project operates in Hornsby, and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness

For more information, please contact sdowning@hornsby.nsw.gov.au

Hume Community Housing Association - Hume Seniors' Hubs

Hume Seniors' Hubs will address social isolation and loneliness for older people who live in social housing within the Maitland & Port Stephens LGAs. Vulnerable seniors will connect with each other and with their communities as they engage with the range of activities offered at their local Hub. Meaningful programs will enhance the social, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of participants. With ongoing support from Hume, the three Hubs will be self-managed and run on a day to day basis by volunteer members, providing opportunities for senior participants to find purpose by contributing existing skills and developing new skills.

This project operates in Maitland and Port Stephens, and targets the following priority group:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• Seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas

For more information, please contact marnie.fitzpatrick@humehousing.com.au

Inner West Neighbour Aid - Living Well with Dementia

The Living Well with Dementia program will encapsulate wellness workshops, outings and morning teas. They will support people living with dementia and their carers and primarily take place at the 5 Senses Garden, Rhodes Park. The workshops will have a focus on art, music, horticulture, mindfulness and technology. The outings will be organised to suit participants' needs and interests as well as integrate celebrated days and cultural events.

This project operates in Burwood, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Inner West and Strathfield, and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness
• Seniors who are carers

For more information, please contact maja@iwna.com.au

Lismore City Council (Richmond Tweed Regional Library) - The Social Circle

Centred around the library's extensive local history collection, we would like to establish a relaxed weekly social group for seniors.  Along with exploring the local history, activities would include games and craft activities, guest speakers, tech projects and shared activities with local preschool children.  Refreshments would be served and activities could evolve according to the wishes of participants. With laptops, we could update participants' online skills and introduce platforms such as Facebook and 3D online collections.  Lessons in technologies such as Zoom could equip participants for times when they cannot join us in person.
This project operates in Ballina and Lismore, and targets the following priority group:

Seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas

For more information, please contact jackie.birch@rtrl.nsw.gov.au

Liverpool Women's Health Centre - Craft and Connections

Liverpool Women's Health Centre will hold regular weekly craft-based group sessions aimed at reconnecting local diverse senior women with their community in a fun, supported, friendship focused atmosphere. Once trust is built, the women will be also be provided with referrals matched to their holistic health requirements, such as consultations with doctors, naturopaths, acupuncture, counselling or casework services and/or externally to other agencies. By connecting with needed services, attending regular activities and building friendships, women will create meaningful and lasting support networks, regain control of their health and wellbeing, sparking both joy and empowerment in their lives.

This project operates in Liverpool City, and targets the following priority groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness

For more information, please contact kate.meyer@health.nsw.gov.au

Maitland City Council Conversations: Art & Dementia Community Days, Outreach and Online Activities

Conversations is a community art project addressing the challenge of social isolation for older people. It includes free creative, social visits of exhibitions, outreach and online activities for people living with dementia and their carers, creating opportunities for people to connect with each other. A trained Facilitator uses art as a trigger for discussion and art-making, while online activities become a tool for participants and facilities to use independently in groups, increasing self-determination and connection. Over twelve months, our enhanced program will engage one hundred new participants in forty Gallery sessions, outreach to four care facilities, and be accessible online.

This project operates in Maitland, and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness

For more information, please contact celeste.aldahn@maitland.nsw.gov.au

Moree Plains Shire Council - Big Sky Libraries Seniors Connect

The Big Sky Libraries Senior Connect program targets older persons in and around Moree and actively engages them in a range of creative and lifestyle activities that fosters social interaction, improves their verbal and digital communication skills and allows them to manage their anxiety through body awareness and management of fine motor skills, visual perception and coordination.

This project operates in Moree Plains, and targets the following priority groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• Seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas

For more information, please contact alisa.akins@mpsc.nsw.gov.au

The Multicultural Network - Let’s Get Talking Seniors Program

To engage and increase the capacity to connect seniors living in the South West Sydney LGA who may be experiencing loneliness and social isolation due to COVID-19. This will be achieved by facilitating group sessions for CALD seniors (65+) with a program of activities such as trivia, movie night and bingo in their own language. The aim of this initiative is for seniors to build new relationships, initiate topic discussions with other seniors and share their own experiences along with helping them to navigate the changes of growing older and how they can be more independent while living in their own homes.

This project operates in Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool City and Liverpool Plains, and targets the following priority group:

• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds

For more information, please contact map@tmn.net.au

Penrith City Council - Digital Literacy Mentoring Program for Isolated Seniors

In partnership with LEEP Council will deliver ten Digital Literacy Mentoring Workshops for Isolated Seniors through community centres in five priority locations. LEEP mentors will work alongside individual seniors to develop strong relationships that will extend beyond the life of the program. Participants will gain skills and confidence in using digital devices to better connect with their local community, family and friends, and access a range of social and support services to more fully participate and feel included in their area. Digital devices will be available free for seniors to borrow from their local community centre after the project finishes.

This project operates in Penrith, and targets the following priority group:

• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds

For more information, please contact lila.kennelly@penrith.city

Penrith Performing and Visual Arts Morning Makers at Penrith Regional Gallery

Local seniors are invited to meet together for a social art-making workshop, followed by morning tea in the beautiful Lewers Heritage Garden. Led by local digital media artists, the collaborative and engaging workshops will incorporate everyday technologies, building digital literacy across a range of devices and platforms. Partnering with our local council and community organisations, to reach Seniors experiencing social isolation, the program will also be championed by the Friends of the Gallery group, which is made up of local seniors with a passion for art.

This project operates in Penrith, and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness

For more information, please contact toby.chapman@penrith.city

SNPHN Ltd (Sydney North Public Health Network) - Connections for Carers

Connections for Carers will provide opportunities for social connectedness through a series of themed social activities during 2022. These activities will be designed to bring seniors who are carers together socially and for wellbeing initiatives to provide togetherness, reduce isolation and facilitate access to social networks, health and well-being services and support.

This project operates in Northern Beaches, and targets the following priority groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors who are carers

For more information, please contact kpike@snhn.org.au

South West Community Transport - From Within Four Walls to the Great Outdoors

From within four walls to the great outdoors project targets CALD seniors 65 years and over, residing in Campbelltown, Camden, Fairfield, Liverpool and Wollondilly local government areas. South West Community Transport aims to reduce the risk of social isolation by introducing CALD specific social events and outings to keep them connected with their community. Focusing on three of the prominent languages in South West Sydney - Vietnamese, Arabic and Hindi, - we intend to hold monthly social outings allowing CALD seniors the chance to make strong social connections and get them out of the four walls of their homes.

This project operates in Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Liverpool City and Wollondilly, and targets the following priority group:

• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds

For more information, please contact bdm@swct.com.au

St Vincents Clinic - Seniors Making Sustainable Community Connections

Community Connections is a major Program Expansion that will provide greater services to more socially isolated seniors over 65, (50% CALD), particularly those exiting healthcare and/or waiting for aged care places. Growing out of a single intervention program into this diverse suite of multiple offerings, it will be distinguished by its capacity to address multiple barriers to participation leading to more sustainable impact. It gives clients a very high degree of control over the services they receive and the way they receive them. It has great flexibility to pivot delivery between virtual and face-to-face services, in line with COVID-related health advice.
This project operates in Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Camden, Campbelltown, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Greater Hume, Hornsby, Hunter's Hill, Inner West, Ku-ring-gai, Liverpool City, Mosman, Northern Beaches, North Sydney, Parramatta, Penrith, Randwick, Strathfield, Sutherland Shire, Sydney, The Hills Shire, Waverley, Willoughby and Woollahra, and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness

For more information, please contact pmccarthy@opensupport.org.au

Temora Shire Council - Learning - Laughing - Loving

Our project will deliver an opportunity for thirty participants a month (fifteen per fortnight) to come together at the new Temora Rural Art Centre and try a creative activity free of charge. Participants will learn new creative skills, hear information from service providers and make new connections in a safe and inclusive environment. (Morning/afternoon tea provided). The project will culminate with a public exhibition in December showcasing the creative outcomes from the classes together with photos of the participants working together at the Temora Rural Art Centre Learning – longer, Laugher – louder and Living – Larger in Temora NSW.

This project operates in Temora, and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness
• Seniors who are carers

For more information, please contact agay-mccrone@temora.nsw.gov.au

WILMA Women's Health Centre - Fit, Fun and Fab for Over 50's

Fit, Fun and Fab for Over 50's is a program created especially for seniors living with mobility issues, or those with a disability, chronic disease or mental illness.  The program aims to create a safe inclusive environment where women can come and meet new friends, share some fun and try different types of gentle exercises. Each sixty-minute class is led by a qualified exercise instructor and combines seated and standing movement sequences. The program will run in blocks of eight weeks, over twelve months and includes exercises such as Chair Yoga, Tai Chi, Zumba Gold and gentle exercise with weights.

This project operates in Campbelltown, and targets the following priority groups:

• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness
• Seniors who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer or asexual (LGBTIQA+)

For more information, please contact manager@wilma.org.au

Wollongong City Council - ACTIVATE - To Connect

The delivery of a well-being program at Council's outdoor fitness equipment (OFE). The program will facilitate opportunities for seniors to connect and engage with each other while learning how to use OFE safely to build strength, balance and flexibility; three essential functions for older people to age well.

This project operates in Wollongong, and targets the following priority groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• Seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
• Seniors living with disability, dementia, chronic disease or mental illness

For more information, please contact abradford@wollongong.nsw.gov.au