Community Partnerships
We are proud of our community partnerships with the following organisations:
Alzheimer’s Australia Vic
For many years, State Trustees has supported Alzheimer’s Australia Vic. We are both committed to raising community awareness about dementia, a chronic health condition affecting over 63,000 Victorians, their family members and carers1. Our partnership supports Alzheimer’s Australia Vic to provide information, education and advocacy to people living with dementia to help make their lives a little easier.
Funds raised from our Charity Ball in 2008 supported two initiatives in 2009:
- Living with Memory Loss live-in retreats for people newly-diagnosed with dementia and their carers.
- Tastes to Remember events for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds providing information about memory loss and dementia, in an informal environment, with culturally relevant food and entertainment.
Living with Memory Loss Retreats
Led by specialist counsellors, the retreats help to prepare people to cope for a future with dementia. In 2009, our funds supported retreats in Lancefield and Swan Hill. Held over three days, retreats provide participants with information, support and education at a time when they may feel uncertainty surrounding the disease and its impact. Participants also had the opportunity to connect with and learn from others going through the same experience and all have provided very positive feedback about the retreats.
Tastes to Remember
Food plays an important role in many cultures and is an integral part of everyone’s memory. These events aim to introduce people to how memory is formed, the differences between normal forgetfulness and memory loss associated with dementia, as well as briefly introduce local services.
And it’s not all about information. A range of cultural entertainers and an array of international food also feature. Our staff participated in the three Tastes to Remember events supported by State Trustees, at Box Hill, Narre Warren and Geelong in 2009.
According to one of our staff who attended, Vicky Triantaflores, the event was a great opportunity to meet support workers and volunteers in the Greek community. See the fully story by clicking here.
Funds raised from our 2010 Charity Ball will once again support Alzheimer’s Australia Vic’s projects.
To find out more about Alzheimer’s Australia Vic’s leadership in the development of dementia policy, risk reduction and services for people with dementia, and their families visit: www.alzheimers.org.au
Worried about your memory?
Register for a free event hosted by Alzheimer’s Australia Vic, our community partner, at BMW Edge on Friday 17 September.
Professor Henry Brodaty will explore the benefits of early diagnosis of dementia and risk reduction strategies. Then enjoy a performance of ‘The Sundowner’ by KAGE Physical Theatre, starring Helen Morse. We’ll be there too - drop in to our information stall. Find out more.
Community partnerships in the City of Monash and Mornington Peninsula Shire
State Trustees is strengthening its connections with the community through partnerships with two local councils, the City of Monash and Mornington Peninsula Shire. In the spirit of positive healthy ageing, troupes of tap dancing seniors and belly dancers helped kick off the partnerships at launches held early in 2008.
By joining with the councils we are able to provide grass roots support where it is most needed. The community benefits from enhanced programs, while at the same time, gaining a better understanding of how State Trustees can help them achieve their financial objectives.
State Trustees has also supported Ageing Well Expos within the municipalities during Seniors Week and has given presentations to council staff, health service providers and community groups about our products and services. We also share information about issues of mutual interest relating to ageing, financial elder abuse and disability.
These partnerships began in late 2008, and have enormous potential for State Trustees and our council partners.
City of Monash
State Trustees and the City of Monash partnership began with a focus on connecting older residents and people with disabilities with their local community.
An initial $10,000 grant from State Trustees in 2008 supported the council’s Positive Ageing Lifestyles program and helped to purchase computer equipment and audio books to improve accessibility for older residents and people with disabilities at Monash libraries.
In 2009, Monash asked us to support their innovative Attendant Support Initiative Program at the Monash Aquatic and Recreation Centre. The first of its kind in Victoria, the program provides a trained attendant to help people with a disability access and use the hydrotherapy pool. Apart from the physical benefits, the program helps to reduce the social isolation experienced by those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. State Trustees is proud to be able to assist this important program.
Mornington Peninsula Shire
"I don't know what I would do without this bus. My husband and I have been catching the bus since January this year and it has been a life saver. He passed away on the 12th of May this year and I am dependant on the bus. I really appreciate the bus, the service is very good and the drivers are wonderful."
Rye resident.
State Trustees’ support has enabled the Shire to expand its successful Dial-A-Bus service to residents. Our support helped get the bus on the road in Rye, Tootgarook and Rosebud West in 2008. In 2009, our funds are supporting a new service for Rosebud.
According to the Shire’s Manager of Aged & Disability Services, Jenny Van Riel, this service makes a big difference to the lives of older residents and people with disabilities.
“They can now get to their local shops, medical appointments or social activities – all for just $1.00,” Ms Van Riel said.
“Dial-A-Bus has been extremely popular in other areas of the Shire and we were thrilled when State Trustees got in touch to see how they could support our programs.”
Read more about our involvement here.
1 Access Economics, 2009, Keeping Dementia Front of Mind: Incidence and Prevalence, 2009 - 2050
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