Community Connections
Above from left: Jim (client), Don (volunteer) and Nev (volunteer) |
|
Community Connections supports older men in rural Queensland areas who are at high risk of suicide. The program is coordinated through inter-agency referrals.
Program duration
Commenced in December 2007.
Location and people
Based in Toowoomba, Queensland. The program supports men who are more than 50-years-old.
Aims
Community Connections aims to:
- identify and connect with isolated and lonely older men.
- establish peer support networks that positively promote the role of men supporting other men in the community.
Back left, Keith (volunteer), back right, Nev (volunteer) and front, Tom (client) |
|
Activities
- Home visits
- Locate relevant support groups and financial assistance.
- Train personnel to facilitate rural support groups.
- Transportation to TOMNet regular meetings.
- Day-trips
Model
The Community Connections program developed from the experiences of the work of TOMNet. These outcomes identified the need to reach out to lonely and isolated members of the local community in an active manner.
The program has two components:
- A home visit team that makes contact with lonely and isolated older men living in a 25km radius of Toowoomb.
- A rural outreach team that establishes satellite support groups in neighbouring areas such as Kingaroy, Mitchell and Stanthorpe.
Lessons learnt
- Client ownership of programs is important and valuable.
- Many service providers do not have the time to talk and listen to their clients, who may be lonely and isolated.
- It may take time to change a community’s opinion of a new service/program.
- Older men value peer support from older men.
- The transition from work to retirement can be difficult for older men after the ‘honeymoon period’ ends.
- Referral and cooperation between local service providers is essential.
Evaluation information
The program has a set of evaluation tools and uses an external evaluator to report to the Department of Health and Ageing.
A community-based steering committee helps provide direction for the program. The facilitators of the program find this system extremely helpful.
Umbrella organisation
Toowoomba Older Men’s Network Inc (TOMnet).
Project partners
The project works with many local service providers in an inter-agency referral system. These organisations include:
- Lifeline
- Carers Queensland
- The Salvation Army
- Centacare
- RSL Care
- The Bush Connection
- local police and hospitals.
Contact
Visit the
TOMnet website or email
info@tomnetinc.org