Free workshops teaching seniors simple safety skills
13 September 2021
Community workshops in Goodna, Redbank Plains, Rosewood and Riverview will help seniors feel more connected, improve their self-confidence and be safer online and in the Ipswich community.
Part of Council’s Safer Seniors Program in partnership with Able Australia, the eight workshops start in September and go through to November in recognition of Crime Prevention Month and Seniors Month.
Each session will focus on improving the personal safety of seniors and reduce their fear of crime and victimisation by providing advice on topics such as:
- Safe Banking
- Home and property security
- Fraud and scam awareness
- Personal safety strategies
- Emergency and Fire safety
- Mental Health
- Seniors Advocacy
Mayor Teresa Harding said the Safer Seniors Program has been created for the senior community to enhance their sense of empowerment by providing effective, everyday safety strategies.
“We want everyone to feel safe in our community, and these workshops are part of Council’s strategy to develop solutions to the social challenges facing our older residents,” Mayor Harding said.
“The workshops aim to improve the quality of life for our seniors, so they continue to enjoy being active members in the Ipswich community.”
Community, Culture, Arts and Sport Committee Chairperson Cr Andrew Fechner said Council is taking steps to reduce social isolation by teaching new everyday skills to older community members.
“Through participation in the Safer Seniors Program, local seniors will be equipped with specially-tailored information on maintaining safety and security not only in the home but when out and about in our community,” Cr Fechner said.
Ipswich District Crime Prevention Coordinator Sergeant Nadine Webster APM said seniors are such valuable members of our community and does not want them or anyone else to become victims of crime.
“The workshops are so important as they provide information, strategies and services that can support and enhance the wellbeing and safety of our seniors and prevent victimisation,” Sergeant Webster said.
“Being educated is being a step ahead, it lends itself to being able to adopt safeguards to prevent vulnerability and opportunistic crime. I can’t wait to provide these information sessions to our seniors and empowering them with skills and knowledge.”
Able Australia Community project manager Jessy Byrnes said their team are providing free workshops to give senior residents the opportunity to build self-confidence, learn new information and to be empowered to feel safe or reach out for help when needed.
All workshops are free to attend and run from 10am to 12.30pm. Refreshments are provided, and attendees will also receive a door lock guard or anti-theft number plate screws at no cost.
Workshop 1
- Goodna Neighbourhood House, 33 Queen Street Goodna - 16 September
- Redbank Plains Community Centre, 180 School Road Redbank Plains - 20 September
- Rosewood Memorial Hall, 1 Mill Street Rosewood - 30 September
- Riverview & District Community Centre, 138 Old Ipswich Road Riverview - 5 October
Workshop 2
- Goodna Neighbourhood House, 33 Queen Street Goodna - 13 October
- Rosewood Memorial Hall, 1 Mill Street Rosewood - 27 October
- Redbank Plains Community Centre, 180 School Road Redbank Plains - 28 October
- Riverview & District Community Centre, 138 Old Ipswich Road Riverview - 3 November
For more information or to register, call Able Australia on 5600 0733 or alps@ableaustralia.org.au
Ipswich City Council’s Safer Seniors Program sessions will be run in partnership with Able Australia, and in consultation with the Queensland Police Service - Ipswich District Crime Prevention Unit, Queensland Health Older Persons Mental Health Unit, Aged Disability Advocates Australia, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and Bendigo Bank.