Northern Grampians Shire residents will continue to have access to health and wellbeing services following the closure of Thrive 50-plus Healthy Ageing Hubs in Stawell and St Arnaud at the end of this month.
The hubs were established in May 2023 as a pilot project, funded by Western Victoria Primary Health Network (PHN) and managed by council in collaboration with Grampians Health, Grampians Community Health and East Wimmera Health Service.
The pilot project was developed following the Royal Commission into Aged Care and was designed to encourage healthy ageing to minimise the strain on the aged care sector.
The hubs - at Stawell Library and St Arnaud Town Hall - were created to connect residents in the shire aged 50 years and older to community services, activities and events and to empower those who accessed the service to make their own choices as they aged.
Originally funded for 12 months, the program was extended thanks to additional funding from the PHN. However, with funding now exhausted, the hubs will close on June 30.
Mayor Karen Hyslop said the program's aims would continue to be focal points at council facilities including Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre and Stawell and St Arnaud libraries, all of which have increased their capacity to support people to age well.
"Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre has established new programs to cater to the ageing population and help keep them active, with our library teams then offering face-to-face support and advice on a range of topics including navigating services and technology," she said.
"Other organisations, including St Arnaud and Stawell Senior Citizens centres, Stawell and St Arnaud Neighbourhood Houses, and St Arnaud Community Resource Centre will also continue to provide programs and resources to help people aged 50 and older remain healthy, active, connected and empowered."
Following the conclusion of the hubs, East Wimmera Health Service (EWHS) will open an information centre at 51 Napier Street, St Arnaud.
The centre will be a welcoming, accessible space for community members, consumers and carers to obtain information, ask questions and be supported to connect with appropriate clinical health and wellbeing services. This includes help navigating the My Aged Care portal and understanding EWHS's aged and community care services.
The centre will open later this year. People can stay up to date via the health service's website, Facebook and Instagram accounts, and monthly community newsletter.
Grampians Community Health in Stawell will also continue to have a dedicated resource available to assist people who would have otherwise consulted a hubs team member.
Client and community connector Karen Watson is available to respond to aged and disability-related queries from community members and can be contacted directly on (03) 5358 7400.
"Even though we are sad to see the hubs winding up after such a successful two-and-a-half years, we are confident there are both new and existing services in place to fill the void," Cr Hyslop said.
"As well as at council, the pilot program has increased education and understanding about healthy ageing options in the community, which in turn has encouraged community-led activities.
"The PHN primarily funds clinical services, so we were excited to have an opportunity to lead in the social support and connection space.
"Following the success of our pilot, we believe the PHN will roll out Healthy Ageing Hubs in other municipalities in the region, which is fantastic for our fellow rural communities."
Throughout the program, dedicated hub connections officers have supported more than 3000 people with healthy ageing queries or activities.
The team has initiated 238 programs, including pickleball, exercise programs, guest speakers, a Navarre community session, mental health speakers and Man Therapy.
"The team has also helped with capacity building and member growth for community groups," Cr Hyslop said.
"I would like to thank everyone involved in this wonderful pilot, including our partners East Wimmera Health Service, Grampians Health and Grampians Community Health.
"Thank you to Western Victoria Primary Health Network for the opportunity to deliver this pilot, and to the community reference group that helped shape the services we would provide and how they were delivered.
"We are proud to have made a difference in the healthy ageing space and look forward to continuing to support the independence, health and wellbeing of seniors through our traditional council programs and resources."
