Keeping connected with community during the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for some, but a new grant is set to help Aboriginal Elders in Tamworth, Gunnedah and surrounding areas beat isolation.
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A funding boost of $11,258 has been announced for Gunnedah's Winanga-Li Elders Link to help Elders in the region participate and contribute to their communities.
In the coming weeks it will be rolled out across Tamworth, Brewarrina and Walgett LGAs
- Kate McGrath
Winanga-Li Engagement and Development Manager Kate McGrath said the money has been used to establish an Elders Link program underway in Gunnedah, Liverpool Plains and Narrabri Local Government Areas.
"In the coming weeks it will be rolled out across Tamworth, Brewarrina and Walgett LGAs," Ms McGrath detailed.
Tamworth Kevin Anderson MP said this is "great news", giving them access to remote group social opportunities and one-on-one support to prevent social disconnection or isolation.
"Our local communities have been really disciplined in maintaining social distancing and this has been reflected in the small number of people being infected by the virus," Mr Anderson explained.
"But we should not leave them in isolation and this funding will help to maintain connections by community support groups.
"Winanga-Li has a great reputation for its wide support of the aboriginal community in the region and this grant will reinforce the work they carry out among the Elders especially in these difficult times."
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Initiatives currently being undertaken by Winanga-Li include a craft group and yarning circle, delivered through multi-modal technology, with options including telephone, Facebook and Zoom.
Important one-on-one social contact is also delivered by Winanga-Li staff in the same ways.
Ms McGrath said Elders across the communities received hot meals, hygiene packs and food hampers throughout the COVID-19 shutdown.
The Elders Link program will both maintain and strengthen these existing services and support, she explained.
"With communities starting to open up and come back together, we have focused on Elders with compromised immunity who need to take extra precautions to protect their health and those with chronic pain or impaired mobility," Ms McGrath said.
"[T]hese will be the people who are most at risk of becoming disconnected when face to face social groups resume."
