COTA working in bushfire affected areas – Health & Wellbeing for Older People Program

Older Victorians will benefit from the Victorian Bushfire Appeals Fund for activities to support their health and wellbeing. This has been made possible by generous donations to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund, with $1.3 million from the Fund specifically earmarked for the Health and Wellbeing for Older People Program.

COTA is working with groups in bushfire affected areas on the Health and Wellbeing for Older People Program. This initiative will help ensure that seniors receive support, and provide leadership opportunities to enable older people to maintain and improve their mental and physical health whilst helping to rebuild their lives and their communities.

While the program is administered through the Office of Senior Victorians (OSV), COTA’s community development worker, Karen Ivanka, will have a key role in advising and supporting funded community organisations.

The funding would be used to help older people reconnect with each other and the community through physical activity, gardening and other skills-based and social activities. Community based organisations participating in the program, such as U3As, Men’s Sheds, neighbourhood houses and community health centres, will receive grants to run activities that meet the needs of older people affected by the fires. Activities might include walking groups, exercise classes, art projects, community gardening, computer classes and cooking demonstrations.

For more information contact COTA Victoria on 9655 2107 involved@cotavic.org.au or the Office of Senior Victorians on (03) 9096 1046.