Uniting AgeWell is offering community members an opportunity to shape its services and the future of the aged care system as a whole.
The not-for-profit senior services organisation is seeking people from Victoria and Tasmania to join its AgeWell Community Advisory Committee (ACAC).
Committee member selection will aim to achieve a mix of geographic location, age, gender and social and cultural diversity.
“While consumer advisory committees operate in hospitals and health care environments, they are unique in aged care. To my knowledge, Uniting AgeWell is one of the first to establish such a committee,” said Uniting AgeWell Board Chair Rev Allan Thompson.
“Our community advisory committee will be a true consumer voice driving strategy for quality of care and service delivery.
“This is an exciting opportunity for people to get involved and shape the future of senior services.”
Rev Thompson said the role of the committee was critically important to Uniting AgeWell’s direction, enabling the organisation to engage with its clients and the broader community on how it delivered and improved its services and plan for the future.
“We want to hear first-hand the concerns, aspirations and ideas of the community,” he said. “It’s through these insights we will ensure our services continue to support people to age well and have confidence in the quality of care and services they receive.”
He said the volunteer role was suited to people who were able to present the perspectives of others.
The committee will meet quarterly from July. Participants don’t have to be experienced in consumer committee participation. Uniting AgeWell will provide a comprehensive two-day induction and orientation program as well as free formal training through the Health Issues Centre for appointed members. Transport expenses to attend meetings will also be reimbursed.
Information sessions will be held in Hobart on February 19 and in Kew on February 24. To find out more or to register, call Nickie Arthur on 0437 248 672.
Expressions of interest to join the AgeWell Community Advisory Committee close on February 29. An EOI information pack can be downloaded at unitingagewell.org