$80,000 available in grants to support older Canberrans

A new report commissioned by the ACT Government has found Canberrans have better mental health outcomes as they grow older.

Applications are now open for the 2023-24 Seniors Grant program for projects that support the wellbeing of older Canberrans or improve their connection to and participation in our community.

The Seniors Grant are a key part of efforts towards making Canberra an age-friendly city. The grants support innovative projects that promote older Canberrans as valued members of the local community and enable active participation in community life.

Minister for Seniors and Veterans Emma Davidson encouraged those with innovative ideas to support older Canberrans to apply for the grants.

“The Seniors Grants are an important avenue for supporting the diverse needs of our city’s senior population,” Minister Davidson said.

“I encourage all those who have great ideas both big and small to put their proposals forward”.

“We particularly encourage applications addressing elder abuse, social inclusion and the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders and culturally and linguistically diverse seniors.”

Last year, successful grant recipients included:

  • Bangladeshi Seniors Club received funding to support a range of activities that address social inclusion and active participation of Bangladesh born seniors as valued members of the Canberra community.
  • Canberra 100 from Embraced Inc supported 10 emerging teenage artists to partner with people over the age of 100 to paint their portrait. This activity culminated in an art exhibition profiling 100-year-olds by local teenage artists.
  • Good Omen Goodeze received funding to run a weekly program of knitting and crocheting to support the wellbeing for seniors at Northside Community Services.

/Public Release. View in full here.