Seniors Grants

LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND COUNCILS INVITED TO TAKE PART IN 2022 SENIORS FESTIVAL

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has encouraged local organisations and councils to apply for grant funding for activities for local seniors during the 2022 NSW Seniors Festival.

Mr Anderson said the $200,000 NSW Seniors Festival Grants Program supports initiatives that encourage people aged 60 and over to stay healthy, engaged and active.

“This is a great opportunity to celebrate our local senior’s community by building on their diverse skills and interests in areas like art, music, sport, health or technology,” Mr Anderson said.

“Local events have been hugely popular and beneficial in the past including the Aussie Bush Bash in Walcha or Gunnedah’s Mackellar Care’s 2-18 ‘Enrichment week’ which ran exercise classes, run in conjunction with community restaurants to improve physical and mental health.

Programs like these will be vitally important next year when we’re finally able to put COVID restrictions firmly in the rear view mirror.”

Local councils, community groups and not-for-profit organisations are among those who can apply for grants of up to $10,000.

“Social isolation has been one of the most concerning aspects of the current COVID situation, particularly among our seniors community, so I am keen to see events next year which will break down the barriers to social connectivity and activity,” Mr Anderson added.

The NSW Seniors Festival is the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and has been running for more than 63 years.

Minister for Seniors Natalie Ward said the program reinforces the NSW Government’s dedication to older people, outlines in the Ageing Well in NSW: Seniors Strategy 2021-2031

“We’re committed to ensuring everyone can enjoy the benefits that come with living longer. This is our thanks to seniors for their decades of supporting families and communities, which they continue to do as role models, carers and volunteers.”

The Seniors Festival will be run from 25 March to 3 April 2022. Applications for grants are now open and close on 30 August.

For more information and to apply, please visit: https://www.seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au/events/nsw-seniors-festival-grants