Cultura secure funding from Dementia Australia

LOCAL multicultural organisation Cultura is among the successful recipients of Dementia Australia’s inaugural Diversity Small Grant program.

The program will award more than $320,000 to 11 Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically

diverse (CALD) community groups and organisations across Australia.

Cultura will use its grant to build greater awareness and understanding of dementia in the local community and amongst its First Nations cohort.

Recent research undertaken by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports rates of dementia in First Nations people are approximately three to five times higher than the general Australian population.

Dementia Australia chief executive officer Tanya Buchanan said supporting diverse groups was crucial to an in inclusive future where everyone has awareness of dementia.

“Each of the community groups or organisations selected as grant recipients know their communities.

“We will now see a wide range of projects come to life that aim to increase dementia awareness in a way that is culturally sensitive and appropriate.

“The standard of applicants was extremely high; I congratulate all grant recipients, and I look

forward to seeing all of the projects up and running.”

Cultura deputy CEO Matt Connell said the organisation was thrilled to secure funding

“[We are] thrilled with the outcome of this application and are excited to be able to provide further support to vulnerable communities,” he said.

“This funding will implement a train-the-trainer model to deliver a series of culturally sensitive dementia awareness sessions for multicultural communities which focuses on increasing dementia awareness,

empowering community leaders and promoting access to specific support services.

“Without the support of Dementia Australia we would be unable to provide this much needed service to our multicultural service participants.”