VARIOUS groups and businesses in Anglesea have partnered to launch a community engagement program bringing young and old together in challenging times.<\/p>\n
Initiated by Anglesea Medical, the 9 to 90 program uses letter writing to connect grade 3 and 4 from Anglesea Primary to older members of the community, many of whom are still isolating due to coronavirus.<\/p>\n
The program aims to engage older members of the community at Anglesea Aged Care, as well as people from Anglesea Men’s Shed and the Uniting Church living independently.<\/p>\n
Anglesea Medical Dr David Corbet said the program was initiated as a way to minimise the effect of isolation on people’s wellbeing.<\/p>\n
“We’ve had a number of older patients, particularly those that live alone, reporting that the impact of restrictions has been significant for them.<\/p>\n
“Loneliness and social isolation have a huge impact on both physical and mental health, so we started to think about how we might support our community outside of the clinic.<\/p>\n
“It encourages social connection and understanding, while also having the potential to reduce the negative impact of isolation. We’re really pleased to be able to contribute something more to the community.”<\/p>\n
Anglesea Primary School principal Murray Surkitt said the students have enjoyed the program and learnt plenty as well.<\/p>\n
“The children have been learning about how to write a letter. They’ve been very enthusiastic, very excited because it’s a real-life, authentic project for them.<\/p>\n
“Some of them were a little bit nervous at the start, but they’ve written their letters now and it’s really inspired them to write a high-quality letter because they know it’s going to a person and they’re going to get a reply.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
VARIOUS groups and businesses in Anglesea have partnered to launch a community engagement program bringing young and old together in challenging times. Initiated by Anglesea Medical, the 9 to 90 program uses letter writing to connect grade 3 and 4 from Anglesea Primary to older members of the community, many of whom are still isolating […]<\/p>\n