Elder leadership for an age-friendly world
The Elder Leadership Academy works in partnership with Elders to challenge ageism and build respect for older Australians. We recognise that Elders have the skills and capabilities to transform their own worlds. We believe we can move beyond representation, consultation, co-design and co-production with Elders - to co-leadership of strategies to build an Age-Friendly World.
The idea for the Academy emerged when Elders approached us with issues they wanted addressed and with ideas about how change could occur. We began working in partnership and saw that Elders, who were resourced and supported, could co-lead change. The Academy offers Fellowships to Elders (people aged 65 or older) where there are shared concerns with the Celebrate Ageing Program and where resources can be identified.
The Academy was launched in July 2018 and is at the very heart of the Celebrate Ageing Program - it embodies our valuing of and respect for Elders.
If you would like to support the Elder Leadership Academy by making a donation please contact the Director, Dr Catherine Barrett on 0429 582 237 or email: director@celebrateageing.com
The idea for the Academy emerged when Elders approached us with issues they wanted addressed and with ideas about how change could occur. We began working in partnership and saw that Elders, who were resourced and supported, could co-lead change. The Academy offers Fellowships to Elders (people aged 65 or older) where there are shared concerns with the Celebrate Ageing Program and where resources can be identified.
The Academy was launched in July 2018 and is at the very heart of the Celebrate Ageing Program - it embodies our valuing of and respect for Elders.
If you would like to support the Elder Leadership Academy by making a donation please contact the Director, Dr Catherine Barrett on 0429 582 237 or email: director@celebrateageing.com
Fellowships & Fellows
Six Fellowships are currently underway and will be announced at the Embolden2018 Conference in October. After this announcement, more information about their projects will be listed here. Fellows of the Academy are Elders who have co-led projects and successfully achieved the targeted outcomes. We are delighted to announce our first four Fellows of the Elder Leadership Academy below.
Margarita Solis - Margarita
Project aim
The aim of Margarita is to prevent the sexual abuse of older women at home and in care. To achieve this, the project documents and shares older women’s stories of sexual abuse. The absence of first person narratives perpetuates the myth that older women do not experience sexual abuse. Documenting first person accounts will help to build momentum for change. A pivotal aspect of the project is building safe spaces for older women to report sexual abuse and to talk about their experiences.
Margarita's role
Margarita was sexually abused by the acting manager of a Seniors Rental Service when she was 94 years old. With the support of friends and family, and from the safety of a residential aged care facility, Margarita shared her story with the Australian newspaper and also on a film produced by the OPAL Institute, part of the Celebrate Ageing Program. The film will be launched in November and promoted as an educational resource.
Outputs
The aim of Margarita is to prevent the sexual abuse of older women at home and in care. To achieve this, the project documents and shares older women’s stories of sexual abuse. The absence of first person narratives perpetuates the myth that older women do not experience sexual abuse. Documenting first person accounts will help to build momentum for change. A pivotal aspect of the project is building safe spaces for older women to report sexual abuse and to talk about their experiences.
Margarita's role
Margarita was sexually abused by the acting manager of a Seniors Rental Service when she was 94 years old. With the support of friends and family, and from the safety of a residential aged care facility, Margarita shared her story with the Australian newspaper and also on a film produced by the OPAL Institute, part of the Celebrate Ageing Program. The film will be launched in November and promoted as an educational resource.
Outputs
- Article in Australian Newspaper
- Film (to be launched in November 2018)
- Increased awareness amoungst community (100+ responses to article in Australian)
- Distribution of film to be monitored
Malloy - Finding strong
Project aim
Finding strong is a project promoting the cultural safety of LGBTI Elders in services and community. It also aims to help LGBTIQ community members to find their strengths to help them to get through experiences of LGBTIphobia and self-doubt.
Partnerships
We are grateful to the LGBTI Health Alliance’s Silver Rainbow Project for the support for the Rainbow Makers resource and for their production of the You Are Welcome Here poster.
Malloy's role
The Finding Strong project began with Malloy sharing her historical experiences of discrimination and attempted ‘conversion’ therapy for a project called Hold hands on a tram. Malloy was also interviewed by Buzz Feed News – and her key message was about finding strength. She co-authored a resource called Rainbow Makers – reflecting on her experience of discrimination by an aged care service provider and her strategies for getting through that experience. The resource was published in partnership with the LGBTI Health Alliance. Malloy has presented on her experiences of discrimination – and finding strong at the National LGBTI Health Alliance Conference in 2018, and a photograph taken of Malloy at the Conference has become the focus of a poster welcoming LGBTI Elders into aged care. Malloy presented at the National Embolden2018 Conference and at a workshop in South Australia. She will also play a role in the delivery of LGBTI sensitivity training in South Australia delivered by COTA South Australia for the National LGBTI Health Alliance.
Outputs
Finding strong is a project promoting the cultural safety of LGBTI Elders in services and community. It also aims to help LGBTIQ community members to find their strengths to help them to get through experiences of LGBTIphobia and self-doubt.
Partnerships
We are grateful to the LGBTI Health Alliance’s Silver Rainbow Project for the support for the Rainbow Makers resource and for their production of the You Are Welcome Here poster.
Malloy's role
The Finding Strong project began with Malloy sharing her historical experiences of discrimination and attempted ‘conversion’ therapy for a project called Hold hands on a tram. Malloy was also interviewed by Buzz Feed News – and her key message was about finding strength. She co-authored a resource called Rainbow Makers – reflecting on her experience of discrimination by an aged care service provider and her strategies for getting through that experience. The resource was published in partnership with the LGBTI Health Alliance. Malloy has presented on her experiences of discrimination – and finding strong at the National LGBTI Health Alliance Conference in 2018, and a photograph taken of Malloy at the Conference has become the focus of a poster welcoming LGBTI Elders into aged care. Malloy presented at the National Embolden2018 Conference and at a workshop in South Australia. She will also play a role in the delivery of LGBTI sensitivity training in South Australia delivered by COTA South Australia for the National LGBTI Health Alliance.
Outputs
- Story shared for Hold Hands on a Tram Project
- Story for Buzz Feed
- Rainbow Makers resource (distribution count to be added)
- You are welcome here poster – will include poster print count
- Malloy is the first LGBTI Elder in Australia to publicly share her experience of abuse by an age care service – and to work in partnership with service providers to develop educational resources to prevent this experience happening to other LGBTI Elders
- The Rainbow Makers resource has been taken up as part of the LGBTI Health Alliance’s Silver Rainbow training of aged care service providers. The resource is being used to educate service providers about cultural safety and is being rolled out across the country
- The impact of the postcard will be monitored
Edie Mayhew - Pulse of My heart
Project aims
The aim of Pulse of My Heart is to alter perceptions of dementia by focusing on the importance of love and connection in the lives of people living with dementia. This is achieved by producing an annual film documenting Edie's journey living with younger onset dementia - and her relationship with her married partner Anne Tudor
Edie's role
In 2015 Edie was interviewed for a research project called Still gay ... Edie generously shared her story and photographs taken at the time were used to produce an iMovie to visually tell Edie's story. The response to the short film was so positive that a decision was made to make a film every year. Edie co-directed the first film and strongly believes that sharing her story will help to educate other people about dementia. Edie has not been able to direct subsequent films but always shares generously when the film is being produced, with support from Anne.
Outputs
The aim of Pulse of My Heart is to alter perceptions of dementia by focusing on the importance of love and connection in the lives of people living with dementia. This is achieved by producing an annual film documenting Edie's journey living with younger onset dementia - and her relationship with her married partner Anne Tudor
Edie's role
In 2015 Edie was interviewed for a research project called Still gay ... Edie generously shared her story and photographs taken at the time were used to produce an iMovie to visually tell Edie's story. The response to the short film was so positive that a decision was made to make a film every year. Edie co-directed the first film and strongly believes that sharing her story will help to educate other people about dementia. Edie has not been able to direct subsequent films but always shares generously when the film is being produced, with support from Anne.
Outputs
- 2018: The Circle of Love - film viewed 178 times
- 2017: Our Hearts are Bigger - film viewed 779 times
- 2016: A day in the life of Edie - film released by Val's Cafe and viewed 1873 times
- Over 2500 unique visitors to the Pulse of My Heart website
- Premier of the 2017 film at the International Dementia Conference in NZ
- Premier of the 2018 film at the Hammond Care International Dementia Conference in Sydney
- The 2017 film became the focus of a Letters of Love and Dementia Campaign - with dozens of letters shared from around the world on the human experience of living with dementia
Anne Tudor - Bigger Hearts
Project aim
To build momentum for a more dementia friendly Ballarat and ensure its success by establishing a Ballarat Local Dementia Alliance.
Partnerships
Bigger Hearts was a partnership between Celebrate Ageing, Dementia Australia Vic, City of Ballarat, Australian Unity, The Ballarat North Community House and Carers Respite Service at Ballarat Health Service.
Anne's role
Anne Tudor is a passionate advocate for creating dementia friendly communities by increasing awareness and improving the lives of people living with dementia. Her married partner, Edie Mayhew, lives with younger onset dementia. Anne co-designed and co-lead Bigger Hearts, a project to create a more dementia friendly Ballarat. The Bigger Hearts project was inspired by Anne and Edie’s determination to embrace a positive approach to a life with dementia. Anne co-lead the Bigger Hearts project and her role involved:
Outputs
To build momentum for a more dementia friendly Ballarat and ensure its success by establishing a Ballarat Local Dementia Alliance.
Partnerships
Bigger Hearts was a partnership between Celebrate Ageing, Dementia Australia Vic, City of Ballarat, Australian Unity, The Ballarat North Community House and Carers Respite Service at Ballarat Health Service.
Anne's role
Anne Tudor is a passionate advocate for creating dementia friendly communities by increasing awareness and improving the lives of people living with dementia. Her married partner, Edie Mayhew, lives with younger onset dementia. Anne co-designed and co-lead Bigger Hearts, a project to create a more dementia friendly Ballarat. The Bigger Hearts project was inspired by Anne and Edie’s determination to embrace a positive approach to a life with dementia. Anne co-lead the Bigger Hearts project and her role involved:
- engaging community leaders, small and big business representatives, and existing dementia service providers
- co-delivering information sessions for people with dementia
- consulting Ballarat residents about their ideas for a dementia friendly city
- encouraging people living with dementia to share their stories through a 100 stories project
- fostering the development of a Ballarat Local Dementia Alliance
- presenting at local health and community services and National and International Conferences
- supporting the production of a film encouraging local people to connect to people living with dementia.
Outputs
- Postcards from 300 Ballarat residents documenting their suggestions for a more dementia friendly Ballarat and a report summarising key themes
- A poster and postcard series for local Dementia Hubs - or organisations and businesses who want to raise awareness about dementia
- A film showing seven local people with dementia in conversation with seven local identities - to raise awareness of the importance of connecting to people living with dementia. Film viewed 848 times
- Four articles in the Ballarat Courier, one in Flourish Magazine (Australian Unity), one on WIN TV news
- Presentations to: Lions Club Ballarat; Dementia Providers Bacchus Marsh; Dementia Forum, Ballarat; and Ballarat Primary Health Care Network
- Facilitated eight gatherings in a Ballarat Care for local residents living with dementia - attended by 60 people
- Established a Ballarat Local Dementia Alliance
- Supported Small Acts of Love - an international symposium on dementia and love, held in Ballarat
- Established a Ballarat Local Dementia Alliance which meets regularly
- Important anecdotal feedback from media: Ballarat now has many recognised dementia experts to respond to dementia stories in the news
- Funding granted in 2018 through PITCH, Wendouree, provided by Ballarat City Council to cover costs of Dementia Friendly Training to members of the community, emergency services and customer service business employees
- Bigger Hearts Dementia Alliance making measurable change in business, hospitals and the community including: Woowookarung Regional Park dementia friendly sensory trail. this 1.5km trail is partly funded through a $15,000 grant from Dementia Australia. People with dementia are integral to the project and actively involved at all stages. Wathaurung advisors provide invaluable assistance. The lead partner is Parks Victoria; others include Friends of Canadian Corridor, DHHS, U3A, Federation University, four adjoining schools, two Primary & two Secondary Colleges.