It’s women over the age of 55 who are the fastest growing cohort of homeless Australians – it was this knowledge which prompted Rebecca Harris at Macedon Ranges Health to do something at a local level.
The health promotion coordinator at the service has put together a series of free workshops for women over 50 to learn practical life skills – she described it as “a preventative action”.
“We are seeing women falling into homelessness due to separation or death of their partners… [the workshops are part of] not letting them slip through the cracks,” Ms Harris said.
On October 19, women can take part in two, hands-on workshops: the first with Gisborne’s Men’s Shed, where they can learn the basic operation of power tools and the second with Gisborne Tyre Service, to learn vehicle safety and car maintenance.
“[These programs] build skills in women to realise they can be independent and resourceful on their own, building that empowerment in that older generation,” Ms Harris said.
“[It’s] two separate workshops, so they can book for both or either.”
The service has already run a couple of workshops on food security and sustainability and the importance of health screenings – Ms Harris said they’d been a hit so far.
“We know isolation and loneliness has played a big part in the pandemic and that continues with our community,” she said.
The first session at the Gisborne Men’s Shed runs from noon to 1pm, and the second with the Gisborne Tyre Service, at Macedon Ranges Health car park, 5 Neal Street, runs from 1.30 to 2.30pm.
Registrations are required – please contact Macedon Ranges Health on 03 5428 0300.
Elsie Lange
