New Grant to Boost Social Connections for Newcastle’s Seniors

A new $30,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Connecting Seniors Grant Program is set to expand opportunities for Newcastle’s seniors, particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, as part of the ActiveStrongerBetter Seniors Exercise Program.

NovaCare Community Services Limited, a key community organisation in Newcastle, has secured the grant to broaden the reach of its popular exercise initiative. The expanded program will offer CALD seniors access to weekly exercise classes, morning teas, and informative sessions on healthy ageing. These activities aim not only to enhance physical fitness, improving balance, strength, and flexibility, but also to foster social connections and help combat loneliness among the city’s ageing population.

“This project will provide a social lifeline for many seniors living in Newcastle,” said Tim Crakanthorp MP, State Member for Newcastle. “It is great to see that seniors from diverse backgrounds will have the opportunity to stay connected thanks to the ActiveStrongerBetter Seniors Exercise Program. We want to ensure seniors from all backgrounds can stay engaged with the community and feel valued.”

The grant, part of the broader Connecting Seniors Grant Program which supports projects across NSW, builds on a legacy of initiatives designed to reduce social isolation. Since its launch in 2020, the program has funded over 120 projects and reached more than 30,000 seniors in 82 local government areas statewide.

Deborah Moore, ActiveStrongerBetter Project Manager, highlighted the program’s dual focus on physical and social well-being. “ActiveStrongerBetter is exercising socially, focusing on fun and simplicity and can be life changing,” she said. “This grant from the NSW Government will give us the opportunity to connect to a greater number of seniors locally. Participants report improvements in balance, fitness, strength, and flexibility, with greater stability and confidence.”

The initiative is a significant addition to the Ageing Well in NSW: Seniors Strategy 2021-2031. It underscores the NSW Government’s commitment to creating inclusive communities and addressing the challenges of isolation and loneliness among seniors. The strategy’s expanded focus on both Aboriginal and Multicultural categories reflects broader commitments, including Closing the Gap initiatives and the Multicultural NSW Strategic Plan 2021-2025.

For further details on the Connecting Seniors Grant Program 2025 and a full list of funded projects, visit the NSW Department of Communities and Justice website.