What is the Coronavirus Support for Multicultural Seniors?
The Coronavirus Support for Multicultural Seniors is a program to support multicultural seniors’ groups in helping their members and build stronger connections with their communities during coronavirus (COVID-19).
Background
To qualify for this support applicants must be a multicultural seniors’ group with a primary focus to support seniors from culturally, linguistically and religiously diverse backgrounds, have at least 20 members with at least 50% of their membership over the age of 60.
The Coronavirus Support for Multicultural Seniors 2020-21 can provide funding to multicultural seniors’ groups to support their members. Funding can be used to cover costs such as distribution of accurate COVID-19 information, establishment of digital or remote support networks to keep members connected, delivering support to multicultural seniors, purchase of equipment and running costs.
Objectives
The Coronavirus Support for Multicultural Seniors 2020-21 grants program will support Victorian multicultural seniors’ groups during COVID-19 to:
- provide multicultural senior citizens with information, skills, and assistance to support their health and wellbeing
- communicate accurate coronavirus (COVID-19) information provided by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to their members
- reduce social isolation, foster social connections among multicultural senior citizens and build stronger connections with community
- remain operational during coronavirus (COVID-19) and ensure seniors are empowered and included in the solutions to the challenges facing their communities.
Funding
Funding available will be up to $2000 per seniors’ group to support members until 30 June 2021. Successful grant recipients will also receive Public Liability (PLI) and Group Personal Accident (GPA) insurance in addition to the grant funds.
Eligible Projects
The Coronavirus Support for Multicultural Seniors funding can be used for the following purposes:
- distribution of accurate information regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, health advice and available supports for multicultural seniors, for example:
- translation of resources outlining current advice
- printing and postage for hard copy resources
- purchase of resources or equipment to benefit group and members:
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for members (e.g. masks, hand sanitiser, etc)
- sewing machines to create reusable masks
- taxi vouchers to attend medical appointments and pharmacies during coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic for this vulnerable health group
- minor office equipment (e.g. laptop, printers, mobile phones)
- organising volunteers to deliver practical support to multicultural seniors (either directly or working with partner organisations to deliver), for example:
- home deliveries of essential items to members unable to leave home (e.g. care packages, medicines, PPE, etc)
- social matching initiatives to decrease isolation (e.g. pairing of members to engage regularly via phone or online)
- culturally appropriate and regular ‘check-ins’ for those who are isolated
- advancing seniors’ internet accessibility, digital literacy, and access to computers (including partnership with peak bodies to deliver this service)
- establishment of digital or remote support networks and online communities to keep members connected:
- software to support group members connect (e.g. video conferencing platform membership to meet ‘face-to-face’ online)
- necessary IT and digital support, technical skills and training sessions (e.g. how to use video conferencing and engage in online spaces)
- IT literacy and safety on the internet
- running costs of the seniors group (e.g. utilities, administration costs, other costs incurred while supporting their members during coronavirus (COVID-19))
Eligible Applicants
To be eligible, a group must:
- be a Victorian multicultural seniors’ group or provide support to seniors from multicultural backgrounds
- be a not-for-profit organisation
- have a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
- be an incorporated legal entity, such as an Incorporated Association under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic), a Company Limited by Guarantee under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or similar type of organisation
- have at least 20 members, with at least 50 per cent over 60 years old
- provide at least two email contacts for communication throughout the duration of the grant period
- have met the terms and condition of any previous grants and not have any outstanding reports from DPC
Applicants that are not incorporated or do not have an ABN may still apply if they are supported by an eligible auspice organisation that has agreed to manage the grant for them. For more information see the Program Guidelines.
Timing
Applications close 10 February 2021.
