Greater Geelong City Council are putting the call out for organisations to apply for positive ageing grants before the closing date of May 22.
As part of the City’s support of the Victorian Seniors Festival, grants of up to $1000 are available to not-for-profit community groups and registered charitable organisations that provide activities and experiences for the ageing population.
Organisations can apply for a grant to run activities designed to promote opportunities for people aged 55+ to develop networks, explore new interests, access useful information and promote health and well-being.
Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan urged organisations to apply before submissions close.
“We all understand the importance of social connection, particularly as we age and many people gradually move away from full-time employment,” Mayor Sullivan said.
“Grants of this nature allow organisations to run activities that assist residents in staying connected and remaining resilient, which ultimately benefits mental health and wellbeing within the broader community.”
Chair of the Inclusion and Care portfolio, Councillor Anthony Aitken, supported Mayor Sullivan in encouraging groups to apply for their share of the $24,000 grant pool.
“In 2016, people aged 55 years and over comprised approximately 30 per cent of the population of Greater Geelong,” Cr Aitken said.
“The number of people aged 55 and over is expected to increase by 67 per cent between 2016 and 2041, from approximately 72,000 to 120,000.
“It’s vitally important that groups continue to provide activities that benefit this growing demographic, and we hope the grant program goes some way to supporting the activities and programs that organisations are thinking about or planning.”
For more information about Positive Ageing grants, please email communitygrants@geelongcity.vic.gov.au, phone 5272 5560 or go to geelongaustralia.com.au/grants.
