The Morrison Government is delivering $300,000 to local organisations in flood-affected areas of New South Wales and Queensland, to provide older Australians with mobile devices that will help them stay connected with their friends, family, community and support services.
Community organisations will be able to apply for up to $5,000 to loan mobile devices to socially isolated or disadvantaged individuals who don’t have a device of their own or whose device has been damaged or lost in the floods.
Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said this funding would support around 400 older Australians and builds on the Morrison Government’s ongoing support for Aussie families who have lost so much as a result of the devastating floods.
“This program is part of the Morrison Government’s $84.8 million Be Connected initiative which is delivered by Good Things Foundation Australia and has helped more than 1 million older Australians beat loneliness, stay connected with their tech-savvy kids and grandkids, learn new skills and stay safe online,” Minister Ruston said.
Good Things Foundation Australia Chief Executive Officer Jess Wilson said we know that a lot of people have lost everything in these floods. Getting online will be critical to helping people to recover, rebuild and reconnect. That’s why we are opening the Digital Device grant funding to community organisations in the Be Connected Network, in flood impacted communities.
“As trusted organisations in their communities, our Network Partners will be able to match grant funded loan devices and data with the people over 50 who need them most and continue to support them to build their digital skills and confidence through the Be Connected program,” Ms Wilson said.
Existing Network Partners within the Be Connected program who are supporting Australians who have been affected by the recent floods in New South Wales and Queensland will be eligible to apply for this grant round.
