• The Charles Sturt University ‘Older Persons Project’ aims to enhance health and wellbeing services for older people in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region

A Charles Sturt University research team in the School of Social Work and Arts aims to co-design a university-led model that supports the health and wellbeing needs and priorities of older adults in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region.

In Phase One, the team will work with providers, service users, people with lived experience, their family, their carers and the broader community in ‘World Café’ co-design sessions that seek to understand what influences and enhances wellbeing in Port Macquarie-Hastings.

Phase Two of the project (pending community support) will see the team develop a business case and scope funding opportunities for the clinic in collaboration with key industry, research, and community stakeholders.

Lead researcher Dr Patricia Mackey said the Charles Sturt School of Social Work and Arts team will engage older Australians and key industry stakeholders in a co-designed process in October.

“We are designing this wellbeing clinic from the ground up, together with people with lived experience, their family and carers, and the broader community,” Dr Mackey said.

“We want people with lived experience to tell us about their lives and the best ways to support the wellbeing of older adults in the community, ensuring that this clinic provides a diverse range of creative and interesting wellbeing services.”

Research co-lead Ms Lisa Campbell said this opportunity will benefit the local community through improved participation, services and support.

“At the same time it will provide valuable learning and skills development for the next generation of social work and allied health professionals,” she said.

Four co-design sessions will be held:

• 9.30am – 12pm Tuesday 15 October (older persons, carers and general public) at Room 1331, Building 802, Charles Sturt University Port Macquarie Campus
• 1pm – 3.30pm Tuesday 15 October (government, agency and industry leaders) at Port Macquarie Library (32 Grant Street, Meeting Room 2)
• 9.30am – 12pm Wednesday 16 October (older persons, carers and general public) at Room 1331, Building 802, Charles Sturt University Port Macquarie Campus
• 9.30am – 12pm Thursday 17 October (older persons and carers) at Port Macquarie Library (32 Grant Street, Meeting Room 2)

To register your attendance or to discuss further, please email  the research team via  older-persons-project-pmq@csu.edu.au. The team can also arrange a visit to organisations or a call via phone or Zoom.

The Charles Sturt research team includes:

• Ms Lisa Campbell (Associate Head of School, Workplace Learning and Partnerships)
• Dr Patricia (Trish) Mackey (Course Director, Social Work Undergraduate Programs)
• Professor Wendy Bowles (Course Director, Social Work Postgraduate Programs)
• Professor Manohar Pawar (Professor of Social Work)
• Mr Samuel Pitman (Project Manager)