Building community connections

It was a stellar turnout at the official launch of the Research Institute’s Connect Local program, with local dignitaries and members of the Glen Eira community joining Bolton Clarke team members to celebrate this important initiative.

Federal Member for Higgins Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah MP and Glen Eira Mayor Cr Jim Magee were among guests at the launch event, where participants shared how the program is already making a difference to their sense of wellbeing and helping them build connections in the community.

Connect Local, part of the Connecting Communities to Care program led by the Research Institute in collaboration with Alfred Health, South East Melbourne Primary Health Network and the Australian Disease Management Association, uses an innovative social prescribing model to improve health and wellbeing for older people in Glen Eira.

Opening to clients earlier this year, the program works with GPs, clinicians, service providers and The Alfred Hospital to link older community members with existing social and wellbeing activities.

Executive General Manager – At Home Support Deidre McGill said the program aimed to address the gap between the health and social systems by providing practical supports and linkages to local community services and activities.

“Trained community connectors spend time with participants to identify meaningful goals and a personalised plan to help improve their overall wellbeing,” she said.

“The connectors then follow up to make sure the supports or activities are making a positive difference.”

Senior Research Fellow Dr Rajna Ogrin said at any one time up to 150,000 Victorians aged 65+ experienced chronic loneliness, with meaningful social networks an important protective factor.

“Social connection is one way of addressing these non-medical needs that can affect people’s wellbeing,” she said.

Supported by funding from The Ian Potter Foundation, the program is being implemented in the South East Melbourne Primary Health Network, with researchers seeking to expand to other areas.

“Ultimately we would expect the program to be implemented in other communities throughout Victoria and Australia to provide the supports that older people need and want in an ongoing and sustainable manner,” Dr Ogrin said.

Contact Dr Rajna Ogrin or visit connectlocal.org.au to find out more.

Image: Dr Rajna Ogrin, Deidre McGill, Professor Judy Lowthian, Cr Jim Magee, Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah MP and Kerry Rendell at the Connect Local launch event.