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Armadale, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Seniors involved in program development

Armadale City Council, south of Perth, has been able to develop new and innovative ways to better meet the needs of its senior residents under a program partly-funded by the Department.

The program was developed as a result of a study conducted by the local council into the needs of older residents. Research was conducted locally and considered in line with national findings. A part of the study included assessing a redevelopment of one of the city's three seniors' centres. One of the outcomes of the review was the redirection of $70,000 away from a bricks and mortar redevelopment into a citywide program dedicated to increasing the participation of seniors in community, recreation and leisure activities.

The needs analysis showed that seniors today are looking for a broader range of activities to become involved in and moving away from the traditional seniors' centre services.

According to community development officer Paul Martin, the council decided to apply for a Veteran & Community Grant after receiving an outreach visit from Veterans' Affairs staff. "When we told the Department of our plan to get seniors more involved in planning to identify and create solutions to meet their own needs, they agreed the plan promised long-term benefits. We were encouraged to apply, even though the project was a little different."

Paul says the money from Veterans' Affairs was combined with another grant from the WA Lotteries Commission and council funds to develop the Ready for Life seniors' leadership program.

The model chosen consists of three parts - training community leaders from the senior population, a series of seniors' community forums on leadership issues supporting and strengthening committees and groups, and an ongoing community awareness program.

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"The community leadership program, run by council staff, gives veterans the opportunity to apply their skills to translate ideas into reality," Paul says. "We want our seniors to be able to tell us what they need and how we should deliver it."

"In the community forums we are helping community groups better plan for the future by discussing items such as governance, attracting volunteers and legal issues. In this way we are assisting veterans and seniors to help themselves."

Paul says the council is also driving a public awareness campaign through the local media and organisations such as the RSL and seniors' clubs to advertise existing programs and available activities.

Initiatives forming part of this project include the production of an online and printed service directory and the appointment of a project officer to oversee all three aspects of the project.

Paul says the project will have enormous long-term benefits for the community and in particular veterans. It will give seniors control over the things that directly affect them.

According to Paul, the total cost of this project has been estimated at $202,000 over two years. "Because about 21 per cent of Armadale's seniors are veterans, the Department agreed to fund about 21 per cent of the total cost. Our project is proof that if you come up with a new and innovative idea that promises real benefits and is based upon sound research, there are people out there who can help you achieve it."

By the veterans for the veterans

Project: Assisting seniors to take part in shaping local programs and services that more effectively meet their needs.

DVA Contribution: $44,000

Community benefits: seniors have developed a more proactive approach to local services and activities and have the skills necessary to run their clubs and groups successfully.

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