The City of Casey is proud to shine a light on the Link Worker Program. This invaluable initiative connects our older community members with services, activities and resources to help support their health and wellbeing.
In 2023/24, Casey’s Link Workers spent more than 2,200 hours helping community members access services and activities across the City of Casey, including volunteering and employment pathways; crisis and housing support agencies; and health and wellbeing programs.
Casey resident Edna* was feeling lonely and struggling to keep up with her day-to-day tasks, after the death of her husband. Link Worker Susan*, contacted Edna to understand her needs, discuss what support she may need and what options were available.
‘After listening to Edna, I suggested there were several social groups available at her local community centre and discussed various services that could assist her with day-to-day tasks, such as shopping and home maintenance assistance,’ Susan said.
I also referred Edna to My Aged Care for help with aged care services, Services Australia for financial advice, and to a grief counsellor to help her cope with the loss of her husband.’
Strengthening positive and healthy ageing through the Link Worker Program is just one of the 49 initiatives in Council’s Living and Ageing Well Action Plan.
City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff PSM said the Plan outlines the strategic direction for creating a more age-friendly Casey, to support the community to live and age well.
‘The delivery of the Action Plan is progressing well, with 58 per cent of actions underway and 14 % of actions completed,’ Noelene said.
Some of the achievements in the 2023/24 financial year include:
- Provision of wheelchair-accessible and raised garden beds in Community Gardens, and a mobility scooter at Wilson Botanic Park to meet diverse access requirements.
- Delivery of LGBTIQA+ training for aged care services with 12 attendees representing five providers.
- Ageism pop-up stalls at Bunjil Place, the Casey Kids Carnival and the Federation University Carnivale, to raise awareness of ageism within the community.
- The delivery of the Warm, Safe Home project, to educate the community on elder abuse.
- Inclusion of senior's exercise equipment in the redevelopment plans for Ray Bastin Reserve to support older people to remain physically active.
If you would like to find out more about how the Living and Ageing Well Action Plan, how it is progressing, evaluation results and upcoming works, visit www.casey.vic.gov.au/policies-strategies/living-ageing-well-action-plan-2023-25
If you would like to book a free appointment with a Link Worker for support accessing services or programs, contact 9705 5271 or email linkworker@casey.vic.gov.au
*Names have been changed to maintain privacy.