Page 1400 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 24 March 2010
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contribution by providing transport for older people to attend social functions, appointments, doing their shopping and undertaking other such activities.
Many of the volunteers who are part of the program are older people themselves. It allows them to remain active and connected to their community. The Tuggeranong community service is regularly represented at many forums, seminars and conferences on aged care. The centre provides a friendly and inclusive environment for volunteers to get together. It is the energetic nature of volunteers who have made the centre what it is today.
The Tuggeranong 55 Plus Club is one of the key groups in the Tuggeranong area that provides volunteering and social opportunities for older people. While the construction of their new building is yet to begin, they have been running a variety of programs from the Tuggeranong community and function centre, including digital photography, bike riding, jazzercise and much more.
These programs encourage healthy habits and interaction with a great range of people from the Tuggeranong Valley. The volunteers who have contributed to the foundation of the Tuggeranong 55 Plus Club have brought thousands of people together from around the valley. They have put volunteers and services in touch with each other. They have become a true communication hub between services.
While I am talking about the Tuggeranong 55 Plus Club, it is currently waiting on final approval from the ACT government for the go-ahead for the construction of a stand-alone facility. The feasibility study has occurred and a preferred site has been identified; so I do hope that approval will be given and the 55 Plus Club will soon have their own premises. This will allow them to extend on the activities which they already provide. I will note that through our discussions with Communities@Work, which auspices the 55 Plus Club, members would like to have more social outings and activities on the weekend. Having a stand-alone facility would assist them to provide this.
Another of the excellent programs run by Communities@Work is SuperGrands, which is based on a New Zealand model. It provides free mentoring to families. It recognises the financial stress and challenges faced by many families in the ACT and the fact that this can have an impact on the health and wellbeing of families. This program is also about giving older people an opportunity to share their wisdom and experience.
I will just read some of the information about SuperGrands that I think really sums up this really excellent program very well:
SuperGrands are dedicated volunteers who offer one-on-one home mentoring and/or group coaching to help families develop practical household management skills. SuperGrands share their knowledge of a lifetime to coach families in skills such as budgeting, menu planning, establishing routines, basic home maintenance and gardening … By helping to strengthen living skills and confidence within families, SuperGrands help to build a stronger community.
Another part the brochure states:
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