Seniors in the Cessnock Electorate can look forward to having more opportunities to get social and make new friends, with the availability of funding from the Seniors Staying Social Grants Program.
State Member for the Electorate of Cessnock, Clayton Barr, MP, encourages eligible organisations to apply for funding. The Seniors Staying Social Grants Program has a total of $600,000 state wide available in one-off grants for locally driven projects that promote social inclusion for older people.
Activities that are helping NSW seniors to stay social include walking groups, table tennis clubs, dancing groups, art classes, and walking basketball teams.
Mr Barr said “Loneliness and social isolation can have adverse effects on our senior’s mental health. Our seniors can make new friends while trying out activities for the first time which can challenge their minds while helping them stay fit and healthy.”
“I would like to see more seniors get out of their homes and try new activities while having conversations with people they have never met before and the program is one way to help our seniors.”
More information about the program can be obtained by visiting: www.facs.nsw.gov.au/inclusion/seniors/seniorsstayingsocial
Applications to the Seniors Staying Social Grants Program close at 11.59pm on Sunday 19 April 2020. To apply for funding, visit the SmartyGrants web page: https://nswcommunities.smartygrants.com.au/SeniorsStayingSocial