Photo: Better Health Channel

Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing Martin Foley today announced the Age-Friendly Communities Grants, program will provide $100,000 each to Mansfield Shire Council, Northern Grampians Shire Council, Wangarratta Rural City Council and Warrnambool City Council – communities with a high proportion of seniors.

Past projects have funded online hubs of information on local social activities and services for older people, age-friendly ambassadors to support seniors to engage and re-connect with activities, subsidised driving lessons to increase confidence and better community transport options to attend appointments.

Seniors in the Dandenong and Brimbank regions will also benefit from a new Andrews Labor Government program to build their understanding of the services and supports available to them.

Australian Unity will receive a grant of $100,000 to deliver the Community Participation for Seniors from Emerging Communities program for 12 months.

Research from Australian Unity shows there is a lack of knowledge and understanding of government services among older people – particularly in many recently arrived migrant communities.

Many of these people have low English language skills and are isolated from their community because they  lack confidence and knowledge of the services available to them.

Activities from past funding include the creation of a local vegetable garden, social excursions and information sessions with local government officers to learn how and where they can better connect with their community.

For more information, please visit seniorsonline.vic.gov.au.