Social Participation & Inclusion

Social isolation is emerging as one of the biggest issues of our time and is a major contributor to poor mental and physical health. Isolation can be compounded by cultural barriers, rurality, age, and lack of mobility. Projects successfully designed and implemented include:

• Social Connections project: subject matter expert to support pilot projects addressing the impact of pandemic – related social isolation with Western Victoria Primary Health Network (WVPHN) across the region. Fostering innovation and a cross-sectorial approach with health, local government, private, public and community sector stakeholders, to create a more sustainable model beyond ‘social prescribing’.

• Archie Graham Community Centre Programs: transforming a sedentary Senior’s Club into a whole of community centre and working with the private sector to create a range of social contact opportunities. The resulting programme offered everything from sessions on how to invest in the share market or art and antiques through to food and wine tours.

• Connect Cavendish: Arranging innovative transport links to get people back to Cavendish to attend weekly community gatherings and activities.