March 29th, 2024Healthy ageing project expands in Hepburn shire
A pioneering healthy ageing project in the Hepburn Shire has been expanded to Daylesford, Trentham and Creswick after a successful pilot program in Clunes.
The project is a result of a partnership between Clunes Neighbourhood House, Attitude – Ageing Well in Clunes, and Central Highlands Rural Health and is backed by the Western Victoria Primary Health Network.
It encompasses two key strategies designed to empower older individuals and improve their quality of life.
The project seeks to inspire healthy habits, foster connections and provide ongoing support to ensure these positive changes persist well into the later years.
The first phase of the project was to develop a ‘healthy ageing hub’ prototype in Clunes that would provide a range of connections, activities and resources in partnership with community groups, and the second phase was to use the lessons learned from the pilot to expand the project’s reach and impact across the region.
Central Highlands Rural Health deputy CEO Phil Catterson said the project was about enhancing people’s lives by reducing the risk of isolation.
“We wanted to make sure that people have access to information and opportunities to connect with their community as those who are active in their community can feel more purpose in life which has many positive health benefits.
“It’s been fantastic to work with the neighbourhood centres across the region to bring this program to life.
We strongly believe that for projects like this to be successful and to get the community to get on board, it has to be done with the community and in partnership with existing community groups and services like the neighbourhood centres.
“Working closely with local neighbourhood centres, the healthy ageing project builds on existing community initiatives and local groups to centralise accurate information on programs and groups available to the community through the creation of a ‘What’s On’ guide.
“This printed booklet has a list of groups available with information on how to get involved. At each neighbourhood centre in Creswick, Daylesford and Trentham there has been a kiosk installed that the community can use to find programs and groups to join to stay connected with technical support offered by the neighbourhood centres and the program volunteers.”
Clunes Neighbourhood House manager Lana de Kort said a key outcome of the pilot program in Clunes had been improved connections through existing groups and community services.
“We’ve been able to reach out to people that we wouldn’t necessarily have known who might be in vulnerable positions or at risk of isolation to form connections and look out for their wellbeing. Big things can come from little beginnings where people collaborate at all levels across the community. And that’s what this is all about.”
Words & image: Contributed
