Rebuilding Stories: Supporting Lismore Library After the Floods

Providing Food Relief with Heart

Supporting WomenCAN Australia's Peer-Led Employment Programs

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 .

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

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

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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

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

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.