RESEARCH AND
Residents shape positive ageing program
What do local residents aged 55 + need to enjoy life more ?
To help shape our Living Well , Ageing
Well program , we reached out to current clients and community members at Men ’ s sheds , neighbourhood houses and Merri Health ’ s waiting rooms .
A specially developed survey asked what programs / workshops / seminars interested people . With over 30 survey responses , participants could attend a free LWAW session of their choice .
The survey results showed :
100 % of participants wanted to increase their strength
83 % would like to be more involved in their local community
70 % wanted to learn good nutrition for their brain
60 % wanted to feel less anxious and improve their sleep
Digital hygiene and literacy are the skills people most want education on
More help for children affected by family violence
Support for vulnerable children and their families in Hume and Merri-bek is increasing to make critical family services more available .
The Victorian Government has provided additional funding to Merri Health and our Hume Merri-bek Child and Family Alliance partners to be better able to respond to high demand , particularly for those experiencing family violence .
The funding will support a specialist family violence senior practitioner who will work directly with children and young people to help ensure their health and safety and help to grow our team ’ s knowledge and skills in this important area .
In response to these results , we adapted the program by introducing a new seminar focusing on scam awareness and delivered workshops on food to help your mood .
To help people with their anxiety and sleep problems , we also developed a 6-week mindfulness workshop .
6 . | MerriNews April – May 2023