Human rights award 2018 - finalist
In 2016 I left my University job as a Senior Research Fellow to set up the Celebrate Ageing Program. I wanted to focus on challenging ageism, building respect for Elders and preventing the sexual abuse of older women. For the last three years, the Celebrate Ageing has operated from a home office with a staff of one. I have partnered with close to 50 organisations and groups, had the privilege of working with the most wonderful Elders and seen the Program really make a difference.
The Celebrate Ageing Program is a social enterprise - I develop education and deliver consultancies to fund work that is not yet funded - work that is often not yet recognised as a priority. It has been financially challenging in the establishment phase, but the work has made my heart sing. If you want to understand the Celebrate Ageing approach, have a look at the Elder Leadership Academy - it is at the heart of the work I do.
In October 2018 I was honoured to be named a finalist for the 2018 Human Rights Medal. Thank you to Philippa Campbell, a passionate advocate for the rights of Elders, for the nomination. I want to congratulate Chrissy Foster and the Hon Peter McClennan QC AM on winning the Award.
Since the nomination, web traffic has increased and I want to take the opportunity to call out for sponsors and supporters so that the Program can grow. In the section below I have outlined 6 projects that are not yet funded. If you would like to support any of these or the Celebrate Ageing Program more broadly, please call me using the details on the bottom of the page.
thankyou for your support
Catherine
The Celebrate Ageing Program is a social enterprise - I develop education and deliver consultancies to fund work that is not yet funded - work that is often not yet recognised as a priority. It has been financially challenging in the establishment phase, but the work has made my heart sing. If you want to understand the Celebrate Ageing approach, have a look at the Elder Leadership Academy - it is at the heart of the work I do.
In October 2018 I was honoured to be named a finalist for the 2018 Human Rights Medal. Thank you to Philippa Campbell, a passionate advocate for the rights of Elders, for the nomination. I want to congratulate Chrissy Foster and the Hon Peter McClennan QC AM on winning the Award.
Since the nomination, web traffic has increased and I want to take the opportunity to call out for sponsors and supporters so that the Program can grow. In the section below I have outlined 6 projects that are not yet funded. If you would like to support any of these or the Celebrate Ageing Program more broadly, please call me using the details on the bottom of the page.
thankyou for your support
Catherine
Support celebrate ageing
Over the next two years there are 6 projects that I would like to see funded as part of the Celebrate Ageing Program. The projects focus on changing what we see, what we do, what we model and how we listen. They are all structured to engage community members and drive change from grass roots level. Please contact me for more information about any of these projects:
- The Dictionary of Ageism: this project seeks to change what we see. We live in such an ageist society, we often don't recognise ageism. Being able to call out ageism would enable us to take a stand against it and also to protect ourselves from it. This project involves intergenerational collaborations in which teams unpick ageism in media, community etc and provide alternatives. Each collaboration focuses on developing a page for the Dictionary - to share their process and insights with others in creative ways.
- ROCK Library: the Library invites Australians to share stories and images about Random acts of Compassion and Kindness towards Elders. Its about changing what we do and promoting a culture of respect for Elders. Its about respect in action. The project calls on retired librarians to help shape the project and the ROCK Library could visit local libraries to host exhibitions from local people about their acts of compassion and kindness. A Library website will share the acts of Compassion and Kindness around the country to build momentum. The project concept is inspired by Margarita Solis whose life was transformed by the compassion and kindness of those who listened to her story of abuse and then supported her.
- Kitchen Table: the Kitchen Table is a series of short films in which families gather around their kitchen table to share stories about respect for Elders in their family. The interactions are filmed and a series of short 3-5min films help raise awareness of modelling respect in families. View our first film by clicking the link here.
- The Power Project: the Power Project raises awareness of the importance of listening to older women who report sexual abuse. It involves documenting older women's stories (to raise awareness), developing information on listening skills and a set of guidelines for service providers and community members.
- Museum of Love: The Museum challenges the ageist stigma and social isolation that people with dementia face, by raising awareness of their humanness - in particular, the importance of love in their lives. The Museum includes a series of art based collections and a mobile Museum called LoveFest, which takes the Museum to local communities to build connections and educate at local level. Our first LoveFest in Perth received very positive evaluations - view the LoveFest Perth Collection here. We are looking for sponsors for two more LoveFest events and then we will finalise a LoveFest facilitators Kit and make the Fest available internationally for a small licensing fee that would help to build the Museum collections.
- Embolden: Embolden is an annual event challenging ageism and building respect for Elders. The inaugural event was held in October 2018 and received a glowing evaluation. Embolden brings together service providers and Elders to build momentum for change. It takes an innovative approach to education and resourcing with concepts such as the Market of Great Ideas and a Fashion Parade featuring older models exploring the concept of beauty as an attitude. The Embolden website includes resources developed at Embolden - see the Embolden2018 Collection by clicking the link here. We are calling for sponsors and supporters for our Embolden2019 event.
Contact
Dr Catherine Barrett
Founder, Director Celebrate Ageing Program
Phone: 0429 582 237
Email: director@celebrateageing.com
Founder, Director Celebrate Ageing Program
Phone: 0429 582 237
Email: director@celebrateageing.com