On Thursday the Thursday, 23 July 2020, Community Care at Human Appeal Australia has proudly launched its new Project H.O.P.E (Helping Older People Engage) as part of ‘Combatting Social Isolation for Seniors during COVID-19 Grants Program’ introduced by NSW Government.
The project aims to reduce social isolation for seniors during COVID-19. It will help older people to connect with each other, through online engagement and/or other methods that maintain social distancing. HOPE will foster social inclusion for seniors through social support phone calls including face to face and will offer a “Walk While We Talk” alternative for those who are not able to use their devices, phones or computers.
Through HOPE the seniors of NSW will be provided with quality social connection opportunities primarily aimed at Muslim Seniors aged 65 years and above also extended to help seniors from all walks of life.
HOPE project will operate beyond the average 9am-to-5pm hours and will offer access to social support calls/mobile face-to-face/dial-in service from 7am to 9 pm, 7 days a week to ensure convenience.
10 Multilingual volunteers will have access to mobiles specifically nominated to the HOPE project. Languages offered to date are Arabic, English, Bengali, Urdu, Turkish and Russian.
The launch has been attended by The Hon Tony Burke Federal Member for Watson, the Member for Lakemba Jihad Dib, MP. Mayor of Canterbury Bankstown Clr. Khal Asfour, Deputy Mayor Clr. Bilal El-Hayek and representatives of many community organisations.
The guests were welcomed by Human Appeal Australia’s Director Bashar Al-Jamal who noted that “HOPE aims to help our seniors feel connected to the wider community and let them know that there are people that sincerely care at them. Then we can give them that extra boost and plant the seed of hope, the hope to keep going”
The event took place at the newly established section of Human Appeal’s headquarters in Lakemba, in a very warm atmosphere that took COVID-19 restrictions into consideration.
HOPE will be available throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to the end of 2020.
If you are or you know of a senior 65 years and over requesting our help to stay connected, let us know:
- online at: https://humanappeal.org.au/community-initiatives/HOPE
- Call our office: 02 9750 3161
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Human Appeal’s offices at 119 Haldon Street Lakemba 2195.
