Southern Cross Care Community Foundation Internal Grants are open

Members of the Southern Cross Care community are encouraged to share their ideas to help reduce loneliness and isolation and improve the lives of older people in our community.

The Internal Grants Program provides funding for ideas that are creative and innovative, supporting people in our community to be Better for life. 

In 2024, strong consideration will again be given to applications that reduce loneliness and isolation, using evidence-based activities that help older adults to build meaningful social connections.

A great example of the grants in action is the development of a community garden at Pooraka Retirement Living. More than 30 residents have revitalised the community’s social life using the garden as a focus point. 

Before the garden, residents only met up once a month to socialise, and the events were fairly low-key. Now they meet in the community garden every day at 4pm to share a drink and a chat.

“This has brought the community together,” said resident Brian Clements.

“We have one lady here who never came out, she’s about 90 years old, hardly ever came out, now she’s over here all the time.”

A small group of residents keep the garden flourishing, with produce including corn, tomatoes, pumpkin, fruit and herbs.

The produce has featured in salads and other dishes made for social nights in the garden, such as the New Year’s Eve party and Australia Day celebration - which was attended by almost every resident.

The Internal Grants program has funded many other projects like the Pooraka Community Garden that reduce social isolation, including technology programs, dementia friendly cinema sessions, health education programs and much more.

If you have an idea that you think will benefit our community, speak to your Southern Cross Care Manager for information on how to apply.