Caboolture seniors will benefit from a new Village Hub which is one of 10 across Australia to receive Australian Government grants funding.
The hub, which will be located at Bolton Clarke’s Fernhill retirement living community, has received $280,000 funding over three years under the Seniors Connected Program managed by Independent Living Assessment.
It will connect older people across the Moreton Bay region with services and activities that support wellbeing and community, reducing social isolation and loneliness. The initial focus will be on about 4,500 people over 50 living within 15 minutes of Caboolture.
Bolton Clarke is the only retirement village operator to have received funding under the program.
“Our Fernhill community has historically been a centre for the Caboolture community, and we’re excited about this opportunity to expand this support,” Bolton Clarke General Manager Retirement Living Kim Teudt said.
“The Village Hub is about creating an engaged and connected, strong community for older people in the Moreton Bay Region. It will provide a central place for seniors in the region to gather together and socialise, enhancing health and wellbeing and supporting those at risk of isolation and loneliness.”
The Hub will be led by a dedicated co-ordinator supported by volunteers from within the Fernhill retirement village and the broader community. Programs will start in early 2022 with Bolton Clarke’s free Be Healthy and Active sessions to improve physical and mental health and reduce the risk of social isolation and loneliness.
As membership grows, a full range of social activities will be co-designed to meet local needs including options like urban pole walking, community gardening, cooking for health and fun, art classes, community music and theatre shows, performances and readings, book clubs and digital literacy support.
