A new “virtual village” has officially launched in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt region more than 100km east of Perth, using volunteers, technology, and a concierge service to connect older residents in several towns.
The service, which has launched with almost 100 members across the towns of Wickepin, Cuballing (above), Wandering and Pingelly, is designed to reduce isolation and loneliness among older people, and is supported by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, as part of the Seniors Connected initiative.
According to Project Officer Helen Morton (pictured), the village is connected by the active participation of members who want to continue living in their homes and communities as they age.
“Our village buddy and volunteer system is just getting off the ground. It takes a village to enrich the lives of older people, allowing them to stay in their own home and communities until end of life,” she said.
The village was created by the Pingelly Somerset Alliance, a community organisation overseeing community aged housing in Pingelly. A similar “Village Hub” project was established on SA’s Fleurieu Peninsula last year.
