• The Charles Sturt Older Persons Student Project report was presented in Port Macquarie on Tuesday 15 August

A Charles Sturt University student project report has produced important findings on the wellbeing and support needs of older Australians and is the first step in co-designing a model for an interdisciplinary community wellbeing clinic in Port Macquarie.

It is one of the benefits that have stemmed from the Older Persons Project, which brought together Charles Sturt social work academics in Work Integrated Learning with those based at Port Macquarie.

The Charles Sturt School of Social Work and Arts initiated the Older Persons Project in 2022 and is now leading the possible development of an interdisciplinary community wellbeing clinic at Port Macquarie.

The clinic would provide nursing and allied health students studying courses in social work, occupational therapy, psychology and related areas with work integrated learning opportunities.

The first phase of the project led to the establishment of the Social Work Student Unit. The group completed research on the wellbeing and support needs of older Australians with the help of project sponsors Bachelor of Social Work Course Director Dr Patricia Mackey and Associate Head of the School of Social Work and Arts (Workplace Learning and Partnerships) Ms Lisa Campbell.

“This project demonstrates innovation in social work field education and provides an example of work integrated learning placements contributing knowledge, skills and resources to regional communities,” Ms Campbell said.

Dr Mackey added that the findings from the project provide a baseline for further research, including collaboration, engagement and consultation with older persons, the local community and service sector.

The Older Persons Project report was presented at Charles Sturt in Port Macquarie on Tuesday 15 August.

The Social Work Student Unit will provide an overview of their research and the academic leads will then discuss the next steps for industry engagement.