The Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia (MCCSA) is working towards supporting older South Australians from CALD backgrounds to become more resilient and communities to become more innovative, inclusive, and accepting of people of all ages.

In collaboration with Office for Ageing Well and in line with the vision to ‘Inspire, Motivate and Innovate’ of South Australia’s Plan for Ageing Well 2021-2025, MCCSA delivered the ‘Ageing Well in CALD Communities’ project to Russian, Serbian, Filipino and Arabic speaking older people, their families and carers in 2021.

The project aimed to work on stereotypes and attitudes towards older people, to raise awareness about older people’s rights and link them to safeguards, activities and services so that they can live a safe, healthy, and independent life.

Each of the four ethno-specific communities approached the awareness-raising campaign differently. While for some, ethnic radio was the main channel of communication, others shared the information and resources during their social support programs, via social media platforms, and newspaper articles or translated materials.

For example, the hardworking and inspiring team of volunteers from the Russian Women’s Association of SA ‘Fire-Bird’ translated the Knowing Your Rights booklet into Russian. This 65-page document will assist their Russian-speaking members to understand their rights and key messages regarding existing legislation, information, and services.

The communities were thrilled to be part of this project and having the power to run the project in a way that met their community’s needs.

For more information about this project, please contact the coordinator Ms Lena Gasparyan on 08 8213 4606 or at Lena.Gasparyan@mccsa.org.au.

MCCSA is supported by Office for Ageing Well through the Ageing Well in CALD Communities Grants, to deliver education and awareness-raising activities, aimed at safeguarding the capacity of older people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds to age well and live a safe, healthy, and independent life.

Photo caption: Participants in one of the Russian community sessions on Advance Care Directives, Wills and Powers of Attorney at the MOD Museum, Adelaide.