The City of Victor Harbor is one of five South Australian councils to receive Age Friendly SA Grants from the Office for Ageing Well.

The grants totalling around $200,000 will support a wide range of innovative activities that encourage older South Australians to learn new skills and deepen their links with the community.

Victor Harbor council will receive $60,000 to support its Connecting Through the Art of Ageing project.

The project will reach out to communities in the Fleurieu region, encouraging them to use their artistic creativity to explore ageing as a lifelong process, expose the harmful impacts of ageism and create a showcase of their works.

The state government has invested $600,000 across 34 projects to enhance the wellbeing of older South Australians, through this year’s round of Office for Ageing Well Community Grants.

The grants program supports older South Australians, including those from diverse communities and backgrounds, to age well and be recognised for their valued contributions across their lifetime.

Successful projects this year include an initiative to bridge the gap between younger and senior generations of the Islamic community, and a program that links seniors with marginalised community members, supporting them to develop skills to increase self-esteem and build friendships.

Cassie Mason, Director of Office for Ageing Well, says each of the Community Grants reflect the strategic priorities and enabling factors of South Australia’s Plan for Ageing Well 2020-2025

“These projects will lead younger community members to recognise the value of the senior members, relate to their lived experience, and build meaningful, long-term connections,” she says.

“Positive Ageing Fellowship Grants allow organisations to offer older South Australians a new way to become involved in community activities that enhance their wellbeing and reduce social isolation.

Grants for Seniors totalling $150,000 have been awarded to 24 community organisations to support programs and activities to enhance older South Australians’ wellbeing.

For more information, including the full list of recipients for the Office for Ageing Well 2021-2022 Community Grants, visit the website.