Project lead: Local authorities

• Local authorities
• Older People’s Association
• Social or health care provider
• Volunteers

How collaboration worked: Collaboration started with local club who were keen to engage with more people in the community. They also had a strong base of volunteer who supported each event with musicians, set up/down and catering. A local Italian Club provided the venue at a discounted cost and at times provided catering. Local university student took on the role of first aid and ensured the safety of audience was paramount throughout the event.

Older people’s involvement: Older people were consulted during the planning process

Details on older people’s involvement: The initiative was shared and taken to an organisation of older people in the community. They totally embraced the concept and back it all the way. Provided monthly event support, encourage other members and friends to attend.

Has the impact of this age-friendly practice been analysed: Yes

Was the impact positive or negative:
Positive

Please share with us what you found in detail:
The capacity building within the local government area to deliver age-friendly community programs, services, facilities, and outcomes. The City of Fremantle is always striving to build on its age friendly initiatives and working on community capacity building. This project has fulfilled these aims and links directly into the City’s current Age Friendly City Plan 2019-2024. The project provided the opportunity: • for older people to try a new form of physical activity • to promote inclusion and social participation • for an enjoyable afternoon at no cost • enabling older people to share their music skills in a paid capacity As the seeds of the project emerged from an annual event held during senior’s week the project is another indicator of the City’s commitment to being age friendly.

Evaluation report: DHD-project-evaluation.docx

Feedback:
Feedback and comments received from the survey and evaluation has identified that the community are super keen for the dances to continue. The city will assist with future action to support ongoing opportunities to engage with the 55+ community. The Fremantle Workers Club is currently part of a cohort of community groups who are ½ way through a community facility build. It is anticipated that early in 2020 the club will continue the Friday afternoon dances. If no sponsorship is obtained there could be a small entry cost.

Expansion plans:
This is work in progress and in the pipeline.

Reflections:
The best part of this project was the collaborative approach. Grant funding from WA Department of Communities (State Government) programing, scheduling and budgeting done by Local Government (City of Fremantle) and a local not for profit organisation orchestrated the monthly events with their dedicated volunteers. The project took out the Partnerships and Collaboration Award at the Local Government Professionals WA 2019 Honour Awards. The live band members were retired musician and the dance class before the event taught people some simple dance steps. There was even a space for wheelchairs and a comfortable space to sit and just listen and enjoy the music.

Challenges:
The biggest challenge was the ability to bring isolated people who lived in their own at homes. Local service providers were contacted and invited to bring their clients along. Bus loads of people were transported to the event and all had a good time. What about the people who didn’t think they could dance? The dance teacher ran a small dance lesson an hour before the event started. It was simple and easy to learn boot scooting and these new dancers made a space to step out to the music. One of the ladies who learnt went on to be a boot scooting teacher.