arcare-family-foundation

Supporting Metro Community Housing’s Women’s Safe-Housing Gardens

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 03:04:04 GMT

At the Arcare Family Foundation, we believe that lasting change begins with creating spaces where people can grow - together, with dignity, safety, and joy. It’s why we were pleased to support Metro Community Housing in their thoughtful initiative to establish two community garden sites for the women’s safe-housing estate.

A Garden That Grows More Than Plants

For residents of the women’s safe-housing estate, the garden isn’t just about green thumbs - it’s about reclaiming space, forging friendships, and nurturing wellbeing in a place that becomes a sanctuary. The intention behind the project was clear: to provide a g athering space where neighbours could meet, relax, and converse in an atmosphere of trust and care.

Why Gardens Matter

Research shows that time spent in green spaces brings real benefits - lower stress, elevated mood, and a gentle invitation to connect with both nature and others. For women who have experienced hardship or trauma, a garden can be more than calming - it can represent safety, agency, and renewal.

By supporting the creation of these gardens, the Arcare Family Foundation was doubling down on our belief that environments shaped with care can foster psychological, social, and emotional flourishing.

About the Partner Behind the Project

Metro Housing is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to delivering affordable, safe, and dignified housing solutions for people who need them most - including women at risk of violence or isolation. Their commitment to both support and empowerment aligns strongly with our own mission to help older Australians - and intersecting communities - to feel valued, supported, and thriving.

You can learn more about their work by visiting: metrohousing.org.au .

Looking Ahead

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Celebrating Gardens, Art and Community

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 06:15:06 GMT

Supporting NGV Women’s Association’s Open Garden Day

The Arcare Family Foundation is delighted to once again support the NGV Women’s Association’s Open Garden Day, a deep ly evocative event that unites art lovers, garden enthusiasts, and community members through beauty, nature, and connection.

About NGV Women’s Association & Garden Day

Established i n 1961, the NGV Women’s Association (NGVWA) is a dedicated volunteer group that fundraises to support the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) - Australia’s oldest and most visited public art museum. Through a year-round program of events, including lectures, gallery visits, and garden tours, the NGVWA helps fund acquisitions, travel scholarships for curators, and encouragement awards for students at the Victorian College of the Arts.

Garden Day, typically held in October in leafy Hawthorn or Stonnington, offers ticketed access to a curated collection of exquisite private gardens, complete with garden notes, audio guides, raffles, market produce and homemade treats - all raising funds for the NGV’s art collection.

Involvement: Strengthening Community & Culture

Supporting Garden Day aligns perfectly with our values at the Arcare Family Foundation. We’re thrilled to support this initiative once again in 2025, helping generate vital funds for the NGV while offering meaningful engagement opportunities to the Arcare community.

Last year, some residents joined the Garden Day in Hawthorn, exploring beautiful gardens, mingling with others, and experiencing art and nature in harmony. Seeing residents connect, be inspired and enjoy a day out surrounded by stunning green interiors was truly rewarding.

Looking Ahead

Through our continued support in 2025, we are honoured to play a small part in making this event accessible to more people and in contributing to the remarkable work of the NGV. The funds raised through Garden Day help grow the NGV’s collection and support programs that enrich Victoria’s cultural landscape.

As the event continues to flourish year after year, we look forward to seeing the lasting impact it has - not only through its fundraising efforts, but through the moments of beauty and belonging it creates.

To learn more about the Arcare Family Foundation and our community partnerships, visit: www.arcarefamilyfoundation.org.au

Supporting a National Conversation on Dignity at Life’s End

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 04:30:15 GMT

Arcare Family Foundation x Live the Life You Please

The Arcare Family Foundation is proud to have supported the development of Live the Life You Please — a powerful Australian documentary that invites viewers into a conversation many shy away from: how we die, and the choices we deserve at the end of life.

Produced by Moonshine Agency in partnership with Palliative Care Australia, the film shares intimate and moving stories of Australians who are navigating their final chapter with dignity, purpose and love. Through these personal accounts, Live the Life You Please helps reframe dying - not as a medical event, but as a deeply human experi ence.

A Story Worth Sharing

Too often, the topic of death is avoided or pushed to the margins. But for the individuals and families featured in this film, planning and talking about dyin g openly has helped create moments of connection, healing, and peace. From metro hospitals to remote communities, Live the Life You Please gives voice to Australians of all backgrounds who are choosing to die at home, surrounded by loved ones, and with the support of palliative care teams who honour their choices.

“This is not just a film about death — it’s about living fully until the very end.”

Why We Chose to Support This Project

The Arcare Family Foundation exists to support initiatives that place relationships, dignity, and community at the centre — especially for older Australians and those facing vulnerability.

By contributing to the production of Live the Life You Please, we saw a meaningful opportunity to help amplify a national message: that everyone deserves choice and compassion at the en d of life. This project speaks directly to our values - encouraging conversations that are brave, necessary, and grounded in care.

Looking Ahead

As Live the Life You Please continues its national impact campaign, we hope its message reaches families, healthcare professionals, carers and community leaders - sparking conversations that honour life at every stage. We are grateful to Moonshine Agency and Palliative Care Australia for their vision and storytelling, and we’re honoured to have played a small part in helping bring this film to life.

To learn more about the film and watch the trailer, visit: www.livethelifeyouplease.com

To learn more about the Arcare Family Foundation and our community partnerships, visit: www.arcarefamilyfoundation.org.au

Delivering Dignity At Christmas: Supporting Turbans 4 Australia

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 04:11:23 GMT

Providing Food Relief with Heart

This past Christmas, the Arcare Family Foundation was proud to support Turbans 4 Australia and their Festive Food Relief Appeal, helping deliver hope, nourishment, and dignity to individuals and families doing it tough.

Through our support, we contributed to the distribution of essential groceries, food hampers, and hot meals to those in need - ensuring that no one was left behind during what can be an especially challenging time of year.

A Charity That Leads With Compassion

Turbans 4 Australia is a Sikh-led, volunteer-powered organisation dedicated to supporting Australians of all backgrounds - particularly during times of crisis, hardship, or displacement. Founded on the values of equality, selfless service, and dignity, the charity provides practical help where it’s needed most. From food relief and care packages to natural disaster response and mental health support, their team works tirelessly to restore hope and stability in communities across the country.

“We’re not just delivering food — we’re delivering kindness, compassion and connection.” – Turbans 4 Australia

Backing Their Year-Round Impact

While our support was focused on their Christmas appeal, Turbans 4 Australia operates well beyond the festive season. Throughout the year, they:

Distribute over 450 food and care hampers per week
Respond to natural disasters including floods and bushfires
Support international students, the elderly, and families experiencing financial difficulty
Foster greater awareness and understanding of Sikh values and community spirit through outreach and volunteering

At the heart of their work is the idea that no one should be left to face hardship alone.

Why We Supported This

The Arcare Family Foundation is committed to supporting initiatives that promote dignity, wellbeing and connection - especially for those facing vulnerability or disadvantage. By supporting Turbans 4 Australia, we are proud to stand behind a community-driven charity that reflects our shared values of compassion, inclusivity, and practical care.

To learn more about the Arcare Family Foundation and the programs we support, visit: www.arcarefamilyfoundation.org.au

Rebuilding Stories: Supporting Lismore Library After the Floods

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 04:05:07 GMT

A Community Coming Together, One Book at a Time

In early 2022, the town of Lismore faced one of the most devastating natural disasters in its history. Record-breaking floods swept through the region, causing widespread destruction to homes, businesses, and community hubs - including one of the town’s most cherished spaces: the Lismore Library. More than 29,000 books and resources were destroyed, leaving not just empty shelves, but a noticeable gap in the heart of the community.

The Arcare Family Foundation is proud to have played a small role in the city’s recovery by supporting efforts to replenish essential books and help the library rebuild and reopen its doors.

More Than Just a Library

For regional towns like Lismore, the local library is more than a place to borrow books - it’s a community anchor. It’s where parents bring children to explore stories for the first time, where older residents connect over shared interests, and where people of all ages gather to learn, reflect, and belong.

When the library was lost, so too was a safe and familiar space that brought p eople together. That’s why, as part of our commitment to supporting regional recovery and community wellbeing, the Arcare Family Foundation chose to contribute to the replacement of essential collections - helping restore access to knowledge, culture, and connection.

A Testament to Resilience

Now fully reopened, Lismore Library stands once again as a place of learning, imagination, and hope. While the loss was unimaginable, the recovery has shown the strength and spirit o f the Lismore community - and the generosity of those who came together to help.

Rebuilding after crisis is not just about bricks and mortar - it’s about restoring what brings people together. It’s about stories. Connection. Community.

Why We Supported This

The Arcare Family Foundation exists to support initiatives that enrich the lives of older Australians and build stronger, more connected communities. Whether through aged care programs, training pathways, or local infrastructure, we are guided by a simple belief: relationships come first.

Supporting the Lismore Library rebuild aligned with our mission to foster resilience, restore dignity, and honour the vital role community spaces play - especially in regional Australia.

To learn more about the Arcare Family Foundation and the organisations we support, visit: www.arcarefamilyfoundation.org.au

Creating Pathways for Women to Enter the Workforce Once More

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 03:44:04 GMT

Supporting WomenCAN Australia's Peer-Led Employment Programs

The Arcare Family Foundation is proud to support WomenCAN Australia , an organisation dedicated to empowering women as they enter the workforce once more. Many after long periods of absence due to caring responsibilities, chronic illness, migration, or simply lost confidence.

Returning to work after years of disconnection can be overwhelming, especially when facing it alone. That’s why WomenCAN has created a powerful community-driven model that not only builds skills, but also restores confidence and provides women with a genuine sense of belonging.

Rebuilding Confidence, One Step at a Time

WomenCAN Australia supports women to become work-ready through structured peer support and vocational training. Their programs are designed for women who feel left behind - whether due to outdated skills, personal circumstances, or a lack of recent work experience.

Participants are guided to gain recognised qualifications, including a Certificate III in Individual Support (Aged Care). Thanks to the support from the Arcare Family Foundation, WomenCAN is now piloting this initiative across two metropolitan and two regional TAFEs, offering women access to training that directly connects them to meaningful employment in the aged care sector — an area of both great need and opportunity.

The Foundation is also proud to support WomenCAN ’s efforts to open doors in the traditionally male-dominated transport industry. Through partnerships with employers across Melbourne, 20 women are currently being supported through a training pathway to gain their Heavy Rigid licences - creating new career opportunities in commercial driving.

This program is more than just licence training. It’s about building independence, confidence, and community. By supporting these women to break into new industries, WomenCAN is helping shape a future where women are equally represented in roles across the economy.

Why This Matters

When women regain confidence and secure meaningful employment, the ripple effect is powerful. Families benefit, communities grow stronger, and cycles of disadvantage can be broken. These women become not only employees, but role models - inspiring others to take the first step forward.

The Arcare Family Foundation is committed to supporting programs like WomenCAN that create lasting, community-based impact — especially those that uplift women, promote equity, and strengthen pathways into aged care and other vital sectors.

To learn more about the Arcare Family Foundation and the organisations we support, visit: www.arcarefamilyfoundation.org.au

Bringing Harmony to Aged Care: Supporting Orchestra Victoria’s Connect Program

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 03:33:29 GMT

At the Arcare Family Foundation, we believe in supporting programs that foster connection, compassion, and community — especially among older Australians. That’s why we’re proud to support Orchestra Victoria’s Connect program, a beautiful initiative that brings the transformative power of live classical music into aged care residences across Victoria .

Music That Transcends Barriers

For many aged care residents, especially those in regional and rural communities, access to live cultural experiences is limited. Connect addresses this by taking the orchestra out of the concert hall and into care homes - delivering intimate chamber music performances designed to uplift, engage, and inspire.

Recently, residents at Carshalton House in Bendigo were treated to one such moving performance, filling the room with warmth, melody, and joy. Musicians from Orchestra Victoria performed a selection of works tailored for the audience - blending musical excellence with genuine human connection. As one partner beautifully put it:

“We are absolutely thrilled, and most importantly, the residents are the true beneficiaries of this incredible gift.”

Supporting Wellbeing Through Music

Research has long shown the positive impact of music on emotional, cognitive, and social wellbeing — especially for older individuals, including those living with dementia. Through Connect, residents experience:

Moments of joy and emotional expression
Stimulation of memory and sensory engagement
Reduced feelings of isolation
Shared experiences that foster community

For those who may no longer be able to attend performances in traditional venues, Connect brings those moments of beauty directly to them - often sparking tears, laughter, conversation, and reflection.

Why This Matters to Us

The Arcare Family Foundation exists to support initiatives that enrich the lives of older Australians and create lasting social impact. We are proud to partner with organisations like Orchestra Victoria that align with our mission and values: relationships first, dignity always, and purposeful community engagement.

By supporting programs like Connect, we help ensure that age, location, or ability are not barriers to joy, creativity, or cultural enrichment.

What’s Next

The Connect program continues to expand across regional and metropolitan care homes in Victoria, with more performances planned in the coming months. Each one brings a new opportunity to touch lives and build meaningful connections through music. We look forward to sharing more stories from the program as it unfolds - stay tuned!

To learn more about the Arcare Family Foundation and the projects we support, visit: www.arcarefamilyfoundation.org.au

Honouring Culture and Connection: Arcare Family Foundation Supports Big hART’s Traditional Heroes Project

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 03:14:51 GMT

The Arcare Family Foundation is proud to support Big hART , an organisation dedicated to amplifying the voices, stories, and cultural legacies of First Nations communities across Australia.

One of the remarkable projects we are supporting is Traditional Heroes — a portrait series that pays tribute to Elders from the Pilbara region in Western Australia. Developed through extensive community consultation across Roebourne, Karratha, Port Hedland and Yandeyarra, the project celebrates cultural knowledge, leadership, and intergenerational storytelling.

In 2023, the striking portrait of Nana Berry from the Traditional Heroes series was a contender in the prestigious Archibald Prize. This moment of national recognition honoured not only an extraordinary individual, but also the broader community and culture she represents.

Now, work on the next portrait in the series is well underway. Each artwork is a testament to the enduring strength and wisdom of Elders, and the vital role they play in shaping and preserving cultural identity. Alongside Traditional Heroes, Big hART’s recent short film Jarda Bura, Gurri Bura, Jarda Ngarli, Gurri Ngarli (Senior Woman, Young Woman) is currently showing at the WA Museum. The film is a powerful reflection on women’s strength, knowledge and the legacy passed from generation to generation.

The Arcare Family Foundation is honoured to support these creative and deeply meaningful initiatives. They reflect our commitment to community, storytelling, and cultural respect—values that are at the heart of everything we do.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Traditional Heroes series continues to unfold later this year. To learn more about Big hART and their work, visit: www.bighart.org

Big Hearts, Little Hands: Arcare Family Foundation Supports Big Little Buddies

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 03:09:06 GMT

The Arcare Family Foundation is proud to support Big Little Buddies , a joyful intergenerational program that brings together aged care residents and young children to share moments of fun, learning, and connection.

Founded on the simple yet powerful idea that friendship knows no age limit, Big Little Buddies creates opportunities for meaningful interaction between seniors and young children through regular visits, activities, and play. Whether it's a game of catch, a shared storybook, or painting side by side, these moments spark joy and belonging—for everyone involved.

The program celebrates the wisdom and warmth of our older generation, while nurturing empathy and confidence in little ones. The bonds formed between “big” and “little” buddies are authentic, heartwarming, and often deeply moving. For many residents, these visits are a highlight of the week, bringing energy, laughter, and a renewed sense of purpose. For children, it's a chance to develop social skills and form friendships that are grounded in patience, kindness, and understanding.

Thanks to support from the Arcare Family Foundation, Big Little Buddies continues to grow and bring this magic to more aged care communities. We’re thrilled to help fund programs that create moments of joy and lifelong impact - for both the young and the young at heart. Because sometimes, the best friendships are the ones you didn’t see coming.

To learn more about Big Little Buddies, visit their Facebook page: facebook.com/biglittlebuddies

Supporting Independence at Home: Arcare Family Foundation Supports Dementia Australia

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 03:03:45 GMT

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Empowering Young Minds: How the Arcare Family Foundation Supports Teens 4 Dementia

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 02:52:20 GMT

At Arcare, we believe that connection, compassion, and education are at the heart of quality aged care — and those values extend well beyond our residences. That’s why the Arcare Family Foundation is proud to support Teens 4 Dementia , a pioneering project helping young Australians better understand and engage with people living with dementia.

About Teens 4 Dementia

Led by StepUp for Dementia Research (a University of Sydney initiative), Teens 4 Dementia is an evidence-based online learning program designed for high school students. It gives teens a deeper understanding of dementia through real-world storytelling, science-backed insights, and interactive modules that develop empathy, reduce stigma, and build communication skills. The program is co-designed with young people, teachers, and people with lived experience - ensuring it’s engaging, relatable, and impactful.

Why We Support It

With the rising prevalence of dementia and intergenerational isolation, projects like Teens 4 Dementia are more vital than ever. The Arcare Family Foundation's support ensures the program can be piloted across schools, reaching more students and empowering them to become future advocates, carers, or simply more understanding community members.

This partnership reflects Arcare’s commitment to:

Enhancing dementia awareness across generations
Promoting empathy-driven learning
Supporting innovation in community care

The Impact So Far

Thanks to funding support, the Teens 4 Dementia pilot is being rolled out in multiple schools, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from both students and educators. Participants report increased understanding, reduced fear, and even interest in volunteering or careers in aged care or health services.

Join Us in Shaping a More Compassionate Future

By investing in the next generation, the Arcare Family Foundation is helping build a society that values its elders and supports those living with dementia with dignity and understanding.

To learn more or get involved, visit: stepupfordementiaresearch.org.au/teens4d

Supporting Smarter Dementia Care: Arcare Family Foundation and My Dementia Companion

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 02:41:27 GMT

At the Arcare Family Foundation, we believe that when carers are supported, people living with dementia are better supported too. That’s why we’re proud to support My Dementia Companion - a digital innovation transforming the way Australians navigate dementia care.

Empowering Carers Through Technology

Dementia is one of the most complex and emotionally demanding health journeys to manage, especially for family carers. My Dementia Companion aims to reduce that burden by providing interactive, tailored guidance at every step of the dementia care journey.

With the support of the Arcare Family Foundation, My Dementia Companion has now successfully completed the co-design, build, testing, and launch of their new CARER Journey platform - and at record speed. This interactive tool is designed to meet carers where they are, offering bite-sized, expert-verified guidance based on their unique situation, whether they’re managing early diagnosis, navigating services, or looking for emotional support.

Real Impact, Real Voices

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Carers and health professionals alike have praised the platform’s clarity, simplicity, and ability to deliver the right information at the right time.

“This tool is exactly what carers need. It breaks through the overwhelm and empowers them to feel in control again.”
— GP and Carer Feedback

With dementia care often described as "confusing and isolating," this kind of support is not only practical - it’s life-changing.

Now More Accessible Than Ever

One of the most exciting updates is that My Dementia Companion has been endorsed to be funded under Home Care Packages. This means:

There are no out-of-pocket costs for individuals on Home Care Packages
Carers and families can access the support they need without financial barriers
The service is more sustainable and scalable, help ing more families for longer

This milestone directly aligns with the Arcare Family Foundation’s mission to fund innovative, accessible, and person-centred solutions for older Australians and those who support th em.

A Shared Vision

We are proud to help bring My Dementia Companion’s vision to life: To make dementia care easier for everyone - one step at a time. Together, we’re building a future where dementia care is clearer, calmer, and more connected.

Learn more about the platform at: www.mydementiacompanion.com.au

Normalising Grief, One Text at a Time: Arcare Family Foundation Supports Griefline’s Help Texts Pilot

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 02:16:07 GMT

Grief is a universal experience, yet support can often feel out of reach - particularly for older Australians. That’s why the Arcare Family Foundation is proud to have supported Griefline in piloting Help Texts , a world-first text-based grief support service now trialled in Australia.

Originally developed in the United States, Help Texts provides personalised, evidence-based messages directly to individuals' phones. These text messages offer gentle reminders, grief education, emotional support, and practical coping strategies - all without the need for appointments, phone calls or waiting lists.

Why Help Texts?

Research shows that grief support in Australia is often hard to access. Many bereaved individuals, especially those over the age of 65, find it difficult to reach out for help. Meanwhile, those around them often feel ill-equipped to provide meaningful support.

According to the National Ageing Research Institute, 71% of Australians over 65 have experienced at least one bereavement in the past 2.5 years. And without support, older people are twice as likely to develop prolonged grief disorder - causing lasting emotional and functional difficulties. Help Texts aims to break that cycle.

The Pilot: Supporting Older Australians Through Loss

Thanks to the support from the Arcare Family Foundation, Griefline piloted Help Texts across Australia from April 2024 to February 2025. The goal was to reach 200 people aged over 65, but the program attracted an even broader audience - including younger adults, carers, and health professionals.

Now Funded Through Home Care Packages

One of the most exciting developments is that Help Texts is now eligible to be funded under individual Home Care Packages , removing financial barriers for older Australians and improving the sustainability of the service. This breakthrough makes grief support more accessible, dignified, and integrated into aged care - something the Arcare Family Foundation is deeply passionate about.

Moving Forward: Creating a More Grief-Literate Community

The pilot has not only provided immediate relief to those experiencing loss but also created a ripple effect of grief literacy within communities. Subscribers shared the service with loved ones, expanded their understanding of grief, and began to normalise difficult conversations. This aligns powerfully with Griefline’s mission : to normalise grief, support communities through loss , and encourage courageous conversations around bereavement.

At the Arcare Family Foundation, we are honoured to support projects like this that bring innovation, empathy, and community into aged care and beyond.

To learn more about Help Texts, visit: www.helptexts.com
To learn more about Griefline, visit: www.griefline.org.au

The Arcare Family Foundation is committed to supporting initiatives that improve the quality of life for older Australians and the communities around them. Together, we’re building a future of care, compassion and connection.

Caladenia Dementia Care and My Dementia Companion

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 05:37:34 GMT

Living with dementia is a challenging, isolating, and confusing experience. People living with dementia and their carers struggle because it is very difficult to navigate a complicated care system and complex disease. Caladenia’s project partner, My Dementia Companion (MyDC) has created the world’s first smart dementia assistant for families, which completed a successful pilot and won Dementia Australia and Department of Health’s Decoding Dementia Innovation Challenge.

Based on the success and leveraging the innovative technology of the family version, Caladenia is collaborating with MyDC to create the world’s first digital dementia assistant for care professionals. This tool will help all professionals to support families more easily, help us to better align to Aged Care Quality Standards and Aged Care Royal Commission Recommendations, and ultimately improve care outcomes.

Cabrini Focal Therapy Program

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 05:34:06 GMT

IRE is a minimally invasive surgical technique used in the treatment of prostate cancer. It uses an electrical current delivered with precision to the previously diagnosed cancerous area to destroy cell membranes causing cell death and destruction of the cancerous tissue.

Early results have shown extremely positive cancer control rates in appropriately selected patients with a substantial reduction in side effects and maintains the opportunity to still treat with surgery or radiation therapy in the uncommon cases where it has not been successful.

Harmony Bell at the Romsey Ecotherapy Park

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 05:26:50 GMT

More than ten years ago, a group of local community members (now known as Romsey Ecotherapy Park Inc – REP) came together with a vision to transform a derelict historic school site into a regionally significant special place to enhance health and wellness in nature for all ages and all abilities.

The Sensory Therapeutic Space (featuring sensory gardens, permanent art installations including kinetic and sound sculpture elements, ephemeral billabong, sand play and a water feature) will be a valuable nature-based resource for the elderly, those recovering from illness or those merely wanting respite from daily life.

Chimes have a special place in garden design, one that is deeply felt in Asian cultures. The Harmonic Bell Tree brings this healing experience to Romsey. The 1.6m tall Harmonic Bell Tree features three parabolic harmonic bells in golden bronze standing one above the other on a galvanized steel post like a strangely beautiful abstract tree.

OXFAM Australia – 2021 India COVID Appeal

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 07:26:56 GMT

The Arcare team have watched the growing COVID-19 situation around the world with deep concern and sadness.

As a response the Arcare Family Foundation were pleased to contribute $50,000 to Oxfam’s COVID Emergency Appeal for India. We hope our donation helps save lives as that community strives to overcome this significant threat. As India and the region grapples with a deadly second wave of coronavirus, Oxfam teams are on the ground saving lives by providing vital medical supplies, handwashing stations, cash transfers and food rations. Oxfam is responding to the crisis, distributing emergency supplies across the nation’s worst-affected states: Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala in addition to others.

Yellowbridge Simulation PPE and Infection Control Training for Aged Care and Disability Support

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 05:22:58 GMT

This grant will provide Yellowbridge with the capacity to create high-impact, practical infection control and PPE training for the disability and aged care workforce using Enabler’s serious games and simulation training platform, to address the shortcomings of existing training.

Unlike the existing PPE and infection control e-learning available, the training developed will be tailored to the disability and aged care workforce, provide opportunity for workers to practice applying theoretical knowledge and increase memory retention, engagement and understanding through repetition and gamified learning.

The project will deliver the training via a mobile app, ensuring workers can quickly skill up and gain confidence in the use of PPE and preventing the spread of infection remotely and conveniently.

https://yellowbridgeqld.com.au

https://www.enablerinteractive.com/

Swinburne University National Telehealth Counselling Service

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 05:15:27 GMT

In 2020 the Arcare Family Foundation supported Australia’s first National Telehealth Counselling and Support Service for residential aged care communities.

Due to COVID-19, there was an immediate demand for a telehealth service and a greater need for more creative mental health care delivery models for residential aged care.

The primary goal of the telehealth service is to provide and evaluate a free, accessible, scalable and useful mental health service to individuals living in residential aged care facilities, their families and residential aged care staff, using the telephone or video-conferencing.

This service is free for adults living in residential aged care facilities , and it is designed to help them cope with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress, all of which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions. This service is also available to the residents’ families and aged care staff. This service will be provided by postgraduate psychology, social work, and counselling students from around Australia under the supervision of experienced practitioners.

The National Telehealth Counselling and Support service has the potential to create hundreds of placement opportunities for postgraduate students from universities across Australia, educating the next generation of clinicians. Placements that focus on mental health in late life are rare in Australia.

For more information on this service or to access the service or refer someone else – please go to:

https://www.swinburne.edu.au/lss/psychology/pc/older-adults/telehealth-counselling.html

Northern Health

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 07:25:38 GMT

Donation to support COVID 19 Response ($50,000)

The Arcare Family Foundation provided a grant of $50,000 to Northern Health to support its response to COVID-19. The Northern Health services area has been hard hit by the pandemic, in particular Northern Hospital in Epping where many patients have been hospitalised.

In receiving the grant Andrew Williamson, Executive Director Public Affairs said, “On behalf of Northern Health, I would like to thank the Arcare Family Foundation for its donation to Northern Hospital Epping to support us in providing the best possible care for our COVID-19 patients and the Northern community.”

The grant was made on Friday August 7th as Arcare, and other aged care providers across the country, celebrated Aged Care Employee Day. The Arcare Family Foundation Committee provided the grant on Aged Care Employee Day as recognition for the amazing efforts of Arcare team members during this difficult time, as well as the fantastic staff at Northern Health who are dealing with a significant proportion of Victoria’s COVID 19 patients.

www.nh.org.au

Asylum Seekers Centre

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 07:14:11 GMT

Support for Asylum Seekers during the COVID-19 crisis (Grant: $20,000)

The Asylum Seekers Centre is based in Newtown in Sydney and they provide practical and personal support for people living in the community who are seeking asylum. The Asylum Seekers Centre provides the following:

Connects people to support and services: Their services include accommodation, legal advice, financial relief, health care, employment assistance, education, food, material aid and recreational activities.

Engages community: The ASC builds and harnesses the good will in the community towards people seeking asylum. They create opportunities for people to provide practical support as well as to advocate for political change.

Influences policy and legal change: They draw on the direct daily experience of people seeking asylum to develop and promote campaigns to improve public laws and policies, working with other services to bring about needed change.

This grant will support the Centre to provide aid to Asylum Seekers at this time.

asylumseekerscentre.org.au

Asylum Seekers Resource Centre

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 07:11:44 GMT

Emergency Appeal for COVID-19 (Grant: $20,000)

The Asylum Seekers Resource Centre was founded 18 years ago and is now Australia’s largest human rights organisation providing support to people seeking asylum. They offer more than 40 holistic programs that protect people seeking asylum from persecution and destitution, support well-being and dignity and empower people to advance their own future. They are supported by a network of more than 100 volunteers and 100 staff in assisting around 4600 people seeking asylum each year.

The ability for people seeking asylum to survive in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic is a serious issue right now. For those with no income or Government support, organisations like the ASRC are their only lifeline in this crisis, providing emergency food, shelter and access to medicine and medical care. This grant will help support the Centre provide aid during this time.

www.asrc.org.au

Bellarine Community Health

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 07:08:08 GMT

Grant for Equipment required for COVID 19 response (Grant: $16,582)

The Bellarine Community Health Nursing & Palliative Care Team provide support to clients and families on the Bellarine to remain at home through the progression of their illness or until they are admitted to a hospital or palliative care unit. A 24 hour, seven days a week service is provided by a combination of community nurses, specialist palliative care doctors and nurses. This team works tirelessly to support members of the community in need, in their place of comfort.

Now more than ever, nurses are under immense pressure and are working with inadequate resources and this will only become more difficult when coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread. This grant will provide funds for critical medical equipment and resources to support some of the hardest working healthcare workers.

www.bch.org.au

Moving Feast

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 07:00:47 GMT

Moving Feast (VIC – managed by Social Traders) (Grant: 20,000)

Moving Feast is a collaborative project of Victorian food social enterprises. Moving Feast works in all areas of the food system from growing, storage, cooking, distribution, and education. They are now joining forces to create a pandemic food response that creates justice, sustainability, and resilience.

Moving Feast is an innovative initiative driven by STREAT ( www.streat.com.au ) which is supporting 100 food social enterprises around Victoria to provide food and meals to people who need it. It is an ambitious, exciting initiative which has significant community support.

Apart from being able to produce 48,000 meals a week for vulnerable Victorians this initiative may also keep many these social enterprises operational, thereby saving jobs of the young people they employ, many from disadvantaged backgrounds.

movingfeast.net

OzHarvest

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 06:55:03 GMT

Grant to support emergency food relief in NSW (Grant: $20,000)

Oz Harvest is a national food rescue organisation, collecting quality excess food from commercial outlets and delivering it directly to more than 1300 charities supporting people in need across the country.

Founded in 2004 by Ronni Kahn AO, after noticing the huge volume of good food going to waste from the hospitality industry, she decided there had to be a better way. Starting in Sydney with one van – the first of many donations from Goodman+ Foundation – she delivered 4,000 meals in the first month.

OzHarvest now operates nationally, rescuing over 180 tonnes of food each week from over 3,500 food donors including supermarkets, hotels, airports, wholesalers, farmers, corporate events, catering companies, shopping centres, delis, cafes, restaurants, film and TV shoots and boardrooms.

They recently opened Australia’s first rescued food supermarket – the OzHarvest Market in Sydney, based on a ‘take what you need, give if you can’ philosophy.

www.ozharvest.org.au

Fareshare

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 06:49:30 GMT

FareShare rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and cooks it into free nutritious meals for people in need. An estimated five million Australians experienced food insecurity last year while food waste costs our economy an estimated $20 billion. FareShare tackles the tragedy head on by rescuing surplus, quality food from supermarkets, wholesalers, farmers and other businesses and cooking it into nutritious meals.

In Melbourne, with the help of 1000 regular volunteers, FareShare cooks more than 6,000 free meals a day for charities such as soup vans, homeless shelters, women’s refuges and community food banks.

In 2018 FareShare opened a second production kitchen, designed to cook up to five million meals a year, in Brisbane as part of an exciting collaboration with Foodbank. The new operation effectively doubles FareShare’s social impact, bringing their daily total of cooked meals to around 12,000.

www.fareshare.net.au

Bushfire Relief Grants

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 06:41:08 GMT

In response to the devasting bushfires across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland in January 2020 the Arcare Family Foundation provided three grants totaling $60,000 to support recovery for local communities, farmers, and wildlife.

The Foundation also made several grants in 2020 as a response to the COVID 19 crisis. These grants are to support organisations providing emergency relief, food aid and medical support.

Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) – Strengthening Rural Communities (Grant: $20,000)

Local leaders know what will make the biggest difference at times like these. But their isolation and small size make it hard for communities to raise the funds they need at the best of times, let alone in the worst of times, like now. FRRR’s special tax status means funds reach grassroots community organisations in country Australia who often miss out on support.

This grant will support FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities – Bushfire Stream, which will be able to support community leaders to implement what they need in their local community.

www.frrr.org.au

Blaze Aid (Grant: $20,000)

Blaze Aid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods. Working alongside the rural families, their volunteers help to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed.

blazeaid.com.au

World Wild Fund for Nature Australia – Australia’s Bushfire Emergency (Grant: $20,000)

Support for the World Wild Fund for Nature Australia’s Bushfire Emergency work will support wildlife care, working swiftly to implement effective large-scale disaster response and recovery programs across the country; habitat restoration, including restoring native forests and damaged wildlife habitat; and future fire-proofing including working to develop and promote innovative new approaches and proven solutions to ensure better climate event preparedness.

www.wwf.org.au

Sustain: The Australian Food Network

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 05:10:21 GMT

Around the Table: Community Cooking, Lunch and Gardening Program: Online and In-Person (Grant: $39,200)

Sustain: The Australian Food Network will partner with North Carlton Railway Neighbourhood House (NCRNH) to deliver a reimagined version of the ‘Around the Table’ community cooking and lunch program. Commenced in 2018, ‘Around the Table’ has become a vital activity for NCRNH members, a cohort of mostly older people often experiencing complex and interrelated disadvantage due to mental health, disability, isolation and financial difficulty.

The new format will be a hybrid model, where a rotating, limited group of 6-8 physically distanced in-person cooks will attend the class, prepare the fortnightly recipes and share lunch. The remaining cohort (up to 16) receive the same recipes and ingredients in contact-free or delivered cooking packs, so they can replicate the dishes at home and virtually share their experience with each other through an online community group.

Additionally, NCRNH’s newly established community garden will provide the opportunity for distanced socialising and skill-building through workshops on home food production, as well as growing food for community meals in the ‘Around the Table’ bed.

This program will develop a case-study and manual for community centres around Australia to think innovatively in their program delivery and use the vibrant medium of food to not only address health and wellbeing objectives but provide safe and supportive environments to build skills in technology, gardening and cooking. A key output and resource will be the creation of a short film documenting the journey of participants through the program.

Sustain and Railway House

Alliance for Gambling Reform

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 05:05:37 GMT

Sharing Stories to reduce harmful gambling in Victoria and New South Wales (focus on older Australians) $70,000

The Alliance is a national advocacy organisation which works to prevent and minimize the harm from gambling. They bring together over 60 organisations who share the objectives of preventing harm from gambling. The Alliance provides coordination, expert advice and practical resources to their supporter organisations, community groups and media. The Champions for Change program offers people with a lived experience of the impact of gambling a chance to belong to a community working together to minimize harm. This project supports older people in Victoria and NSW to connect and educate each other by sharing their experiences of gambling harm and finding alternatives for socialising and connection.

Gambling has a bigger impact on older people than any other age group. It is also highly stigmatised, with gamblers going to extremes to hide the extent of the problem. Drawing on lessons learnt from their pilot program, the Alliance will support people to give them the confidence and skills needed to speak about their experience of harm from gambling in ways that de-stigmatise the issue, in turn enabling other older Australians to reach out and seek help. In this way the program helps facilitate older Australians to seek help when gambling becomes harmful and supports a public health approach to prevent gambling harm.

Pokies Play You

Documentary Australia Foundation

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 04:59:37 GMT

Support for the development of a new documentary film entitled: ‘Ticketyboo: A Walk with Dementia’ (Grant: $50,000)

Ticketyboo is a social impact documentary exploring the deeply personal story of Renee Brack’s artist-father’s dementia. She explores how she did and did not cope with her father’s condition and how it sparked new awareness, activism, and advocacy. She states that becoming aware of what we can do to keep connected to loved ones with dementia is an ever-changing process full of mixed emotion and opportunity to evolve as a human being. She investigates what people from various cultures and nations do to make the most of life with a dementia diagnosis in the family and explores the world for global innovations in care.

documentaryaustralia.com.au

The Kids Foundation

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 04:54:59 GMT

The Kids Foundation – SeeMore’s Connecting Gen: Adopt a Grandbuddy (Grant: $37,500 a year for two years – 2021/2022 and 2022/2023)

SeeMore’s Connecting Gen: Adopt a Grandbuddy is an intergenerational program designed to develop and enhance the emotional and physical wellbeing across two generations. Through education and resources, aged care residents, kindergarten children and their families will engage in a 3 year project to increase socialisation and safety awareness, whilst reduce injuries in the Victorian town of Hamilton and surrounding regions.

www.kidsfoundation.org.au

Swinburne University: Digital Story Project

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 04:48:12 GMT

Digital Story Project (VIC) (Grant: 26,776)

The primary purpose of The Digital Story Project is to improve the quality of lives of aged care residents, by helping them feel valued and validated and by providing companionship. Additionally, the project advances the education of the volunteer students by providing firsthand experience working in an aged care facility. It also provides a valuable service for facility staff that enhances their knowledge of the residents.

It portrays the residents’ identity within a short digital video. Then, by sharing this story with facility staff, it heightens the appreciation of the resident’s individuality. Such appreciation allows for residents to be supported and cared for in a manner that is more consistent with their values and preferences. The project also provides both the older adult and younger student opportunities for intergenerational contact.

The volunteer students are studying psychology, counseling, social work, and nursing at Swinburne and will gain considerable experience and appreciation of working in aged care.

Such experience will be a valuable adjunct to their study and help to pave the way for a more

informed health care workforce in the future. The students attend weekly classes and supervision in aged care for the duration of the project. Here is a sample story: https://youtu.be/0Ta9Ibhcb-w .

(Grant: $26,776)

www.swinburne.edu.au

National Ageing Research Institute

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 03:58:36 GMT

Averto Digital App (Grant: $40,000)

In 2014-15, 27% of home care recipients aged 70 and over were from a culturally and linguistically diverse background. For those who do not have proficient English, care may not be equitable as it cannot always be provided by people who speak the same language.

As the use of interpreters is not always possible, translation technology has been identified as a potential way to improve basic communication, social connection and quality of life.

As no existing technology has been specifically designed for older people, including those with dementia, NARI has designed a digital app with and for older people receiving home care in the community. This app is Averto. Using an easy to use platform specifically tailored to the needs of older people, the app is available in five languages and features:

Pre-populated information with pictures and response options
Real time voice-to-voice translation
Traffic light system to indicate accuracy of translation

This grant provides support to NARI to adapt the tablet-based language translation app (AVERTO) to enable people with low English proficiency living in residential aged care to better communicate with carers who don’t speak the same language. Grant: ($40,000)

www.nari.net.au

The Summer Foundation

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 02:58:38 GMT

The Housing Hub (Grant: $30,000)

The Housing Hub – ( thehousinghub.org.au – THH ) is a website dedicated to supporting people with a disability to find a home they would like to live in and providing a place for housing providers to list properties. It addresses a huge gap in the market with mainstream housing search platforms providing very little information on accessibility features.

The sector landscape changed with the implementation of the NDIS when disability housing moved from a state managed welfare allocation model to a market driven approach with choice and control in the hands of people with a disability. In the past housing providers have not had to market their properties but must now do so to find tenants or to face costly vacancies. At the same time, people with a disability, including those in or at risk of entry to aged care, need a place to go to find housing that meets their needs.

The Housing Hub was developed in late 2017. It has been used by more than 35,000 people and currently has more than 350 property listings across Victoria, NSW, Queensland and South Australia. The plan is to take the platform to the next level, creating a true “matching” mechanism with new functionality that will allow housing seekers to set up a profile and to filter on the type of housing being sought, including location, supports and accessibility features. (Grant: $30,000)

The Summer Foundation

“People with disability have found it incredibly difficult to search for a home that has the features they need. As a result, people living with disability have been forced to move into places that wouldn’t be somewhere they chose. We have created thehousinghub.org.au to make the housing search process so much easier. It’s a website that lets you search for a new home with the accessibility features that are just right”.

Alecia Rathbone, General Manager, Housing Matching

www.summerfoundation.org.au

Centre for Social Impact

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 02:51:19 GMT

Centre for Social Impact, University of NSW

Amplify Project – Ageing and Aged Care in Australia

(Stage 1)

With the number of Australians over the age of 65 expected to more than double by 2055, Royal Commission issues, challenges understanding what’s working for who and when, we need to determine the levers for change and collectively work to support positive ageing and aged care. There is an opportunity to take a collective leadership approach to: 1) uplift the evidence-base in ageing well; 2) enable and support the Ageing Sector to think more systemically, determining levers for change; and 3) Improve measurement of ageing well outcomes to ultimately amplify our social impact for the people we serve, now and into the future.

If we could do one thing to improve ageing well, what would it be? To answer this question, we need to understand the problems, drivers and levers for change, as well as what’s working for who and when. Although there is significant research on ageing in Australia and internationally, we do not have an academically rigorous, yet industry-accessible research report which summaries ‘What Works’ and the key levers for change.

The Centre for Social Impact at the University of NSW will develop an Amplify Insights Report: Ageing Well, in collaboration with academic experts, industry practitioners and incorporating lived experience, to extend and uplift the knowledge base.

The report will examine the problems, drivers and levers for change to help the community better understand the extent of the social issue/opportunity and evidence of what works. To assist in the development of this work CSI will conduct a one-day workshop, bringing together a brains trust of leaders across sectors, to begin to rethink the future of Ageing Well in Australia using applied systems thinking.

(Grant: Phase 1 – $25,000 in partnership with Equity Trustees)

Gather My Crew

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 02:34:34 GMT

Building Capacity (2019- 2022) (Grant: $25,000 a year for 3 years)

During tough times (such as illness, accident, sudden death, divorce, drought, natural disaster) there can be a breakdown between those in need and the people in their network who are able to ‘lend a hand’.

This can lead to feelings of isolation and vulnerability that correlate with negative outcomes such as depression, anxiety, distress, financial burden and family breakdown. Gather My Crew (GMC) directly supports the creation of stronger support networks by connecting those in need with those who have something they can give.

Their user-friendly and free rostering tool enables people in need to (i) pre-emptively identify current and future needs, (ii) actively ask for help and (iii) coordinate willing supporters to meet these needs. In this way, Gather My Crew users are empowered to foster stronger coping and ameliorate the stress inherent in tough times. There is no other Australian non-profit organisation using technology to address these issues and engage these vulnerable individuals.

They currently have several families supporting older parents to remain independent and ‘share the caring load’ among children and grandchildren. Gather my Crew is still in a ‘start-up phase’ and this grant will provide them with the support to hire an additional staff member to build up their team and support the organisation to become sustainable in the long term.

(Grant: $25,000 a year for 3 years)

gathermycrew.org.au

arcare-family-foundation

Supporting Metro Community Housing’s Women’s Safe-Housing Gardens

A Garden That Grows More Than Plants

Why Gardens Matter

About the Partner Behind the Project

Looking Ahead

Celebrating Gardens, Art and Community

Supporting NGV Women’s Association’s Open Garden Day

About NGV Women’s Association & Garden Day

Involvement: Strengthening Community & Culture

Looking Ahead

Supporting a National Conversation on Dignity at Life’s End

Arcare Family Foundation x Live the Life You Please

A Story Worth Sharing

Why We Chose to Support This Project

Looking Ahead

Delivering Dignity At Christmas: Supporting Turbans 4 Australia

Providing Food Relief with Heart

A Charity That Leads With Compassion

Backing Their Year-Round Impact

Why We Supported This

Rebuilding Stories: Supporting Lismore Library After the Floods

A Community Coming Together, One Book at a Time

More Than Just a Library ﻿

A Testament to Resilience

Why We Supported This

Creating Pathways for Women to Enter the Workforce Once More

Supporting WomenCAN Australia's Peer-Led Employment Programs

Rebuilding Confidence, One Step at a Time

Why This Matters

Bringing Harmony to Aged Care: Supporting Orchestra Victoria’s Connect Program

Music That Transcends Barriers

Supporting Wellbeing Through Music

Why This Matters to Us

What’s Next

Honouring Culture and Connection: Arcare Family Foundation Supports Big hART’s Traditional Heroes Project

Big Hearts, Little Hands: Arcare Family Foundation Supports Big Little Buddies

Supporting Independence at Home: Arcare Family Foundation Supports Dementia Australia

Empowering Young Minds: How the Arcare Family Foundation Supports Teens 4 Dementia

About Teens 4 Dementia

Why We Support It

The Impact So Far

Join Us in Shaping a More Compassionate Future

Supporting Smarter Dementia Care: Arcare Family Foundation and My Dementia Companion

Empowering Carers Through Technology

Real Impact, Real Voices

Now More Accessible Than Ever

A Shared Vision

Normalising Grief, One Text at a Time: Arcare Family Foundation Supports Griefline’s Help Texts Pilot

Why Help Texts?

The Pilot: Supporting Older Australians Through Loss

Now Funded Through Home Care Packages

Moving Forward: Creating a More Grief-Literate Community

Caladenia Dementia Care and My Dementia Companion

Cabrini Focal Therapy Program

Harmony Bell at the Romsey Ecotherapy Park

OXFAM Australia – 2021 India COVID Appeal

Yellowbridge Simulation PPE and Infection Control Training for Aged Care and Disability Support

Swinburne University National Telehealth Counselling Service

Northern Health

Donation to support COVID 19 Response ($50,000)

Asylum Seekers Centre

Support for Asylum Seekers during the COVID-19 crisis (Grant: $20,000)

Asylum Seekers Resource Centre

Emergency Appeal for COVID-19 (Grant: $20,000)

Bellarine Community Health

Grant for Equipment required for COVID 19 response (Grant: $16,582)

Moving Feast

Moving Feast (VIC – managed by Social Traders) (Grant: 20,000)

OzHarvest

Grant to support emergency food relief in NSW (Grant: $20,000)

Fareshare

Bushfire Relief Grants

Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) – Strengthening Rural Communities (Grant: $20,000)

Blaze Aid (Grant: $20,000)

World Wild Fund for Nature Australia – Australia’s Bushfire Emergency (Grant: $20,000)

Sustain: The Australian Food Network

Around the Table: Community Cooking, Lunch and Gardening Program: Online and In-Person (Grant: $39,200)

Alliance for Gambling Reform

Sharing Stories to reduce harmful gambling in Victoria and New South Wales (focus on older Australians) $70,000

More Than Just a Library