Communities across Australia will benefit from Dementia Australia grants to support efforts to become more dementia-friendly.
Applications for the 2024 Community Engagement Program grants are now open, with grant amounts up to $15,000 available.
The Community Engagement Program supports local community associations, businesses, organisations, and groups to develop dementia-friendly communities projects that reflect community need, create local partnerships, and draw on in-kind contributions and existing resources.
Four grant rounds have been delivered so far, with funds totalling close to $800,000 delivered to more than 70 groups.
One example of Dementia Australia’s Community Engagement Program grants in action is Lithgow’s (NSW) Creative Dementia Workshops which focus on art, music and mindfulness therapies for those living with dementia and their carers.
“The workshops have provided a safe, inclusive and creative space that create a sense of calm, memory stimulation, confidence and an ongoing connection with others in the community,” said Kas Hilton, workshop coordinator and co-founder of the Lithgow Dementia Support community group.
Each grant recipient is required to actively involve and include people living with dementia in the design and delivery of a community-focused project or activity.
“Through our involvement with the Lithgow Dementia Support community group, we were able to consult with those who were living with dementia to gauge their views on the concept and whether they would enjoy participating in the workshops,” said Sebastian Caruso, co-founder and carer for his partner Jeff who lives with dementia.
“From that we were able to then plan the types of workshops, making sure that the dynamics were right and the facilitators were fit for purpose.”
Projects which meaningfully consult and collaborate with people impacted by dementia in their design and delivery, bring together collaborative local partnerships and meet the needs of diverse communities will be prioritised.
Applications for the 2024 Community Engagement Program grants close on Friday 31 December.
