The Morrison Government is providing $460,000 to the local community services provider Synapse to help alleviate loneliness and social isolation experienced by older Australians in Cairns.
Synapse is among 10 organisations that will share in $4.7 million to establish new Seniors Connected Village Hubs across the country.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said that the Cairns-based Village Hub would provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders the opportunity to maintain and expand their leadership role by sharing their stories and wisdom with different groups, across different generations.
He said the new Village Hub will support about 200 seniors in Cairns as part of the Morrison Government’s Seniors Connected program.
“Synapse would establish a culturally safe space for elders to connect to facilitate sessions and share their knowledge about how best to contribute to the community,” Mr Entsch said.
“We know that digital and social connections were essential to support older Australians to live independently and this is more important than ever during the coronavirus pandemic.”
Federal Families and Social Services Minister Anne Ruston said the funding would allow organisations to turn clubs, centres and libraries into hubs of activity to help seniors better connect with their local community and live independently.
“These new village hubs would encourage older Australians to socialise and engage in activities like bushwalking, crafts, yoga classes and information nights that support good mental and physical health,” Ms Ruston said.