Partnering with Chorus
chorus
Healthy frozen meals for those in need

We launched an initiative with partnering WA community organisations to help provide healthy, frozen meals for those in need. Funded by the Commonwealth and with help from Illuminance Solutions, the program was kickstarted with the Southern Aboriginal Corporation in Albany (pictured) before being joined by Aboriginal Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Victory Family Centre, Rockingham RSL and Mandurah RSL.

These organisations ensured meals were received by those who needed them most, while also creating social connections with recipients at the same time.

The frozen meal initiative has secured ongoing funding until June 2021, with the hope it will continue supporting those in need in future years.

Country WA Interface: NDIS

Funded by the WA Primary Health Alliance, the Country WA Interface project sees Chorus working in partnership with 12 community services organisations in regional and remote WA. Together, we assisted four Indigenous organisations – ‘KEEDAC’ in Narrogin, Wirraka Maya, Yura Yungi, and Ngaanyatjarra – to support remote populations. These organisations do important work providing aid to people experiencing extreme levels of disadvantage and high necessity for support.

While doing outstanding work in their communities, these organisations lack the experience and knowledge to successfully complete NDIS applications to gain customers’ eligibility for services. Through the Country WA Interface project, Chorus collaborated with the ‘KEEDAC’ team to complete and submit applications so customers could receive the funded supports. So far, more than 30 NDIS applications have been completed including some that were previously found ineligible.

Chorus used a community psychology approach to our engagement with KEEDAC. While our priority was submitting applications for customers’ benefit, we also worked on building the capacity and capability within the organisations to give them the skillset and knowledge to independently complete their NDIS applications. We didn’t use a ‘one size fits all’ approach; rather we were guided by specific support needs. This collaborative way of working together has allowed us to build productive and positive relationships translating to more effective community outcomes.

Impact seed

We worked with Rise Network and Ruah to launch Impact Collective. This is a WA-first collaboration addressing social and sustainability challenges through impact investing into innovative enterprise models. Last year saw unprecedented interest in community-based issues and supporting social entrepreneurs to collaborate and develop investable enterprises to help address these issues.

Ring Ring

The Chorus and WA Primary Health Alliance ‘Out and About’ project commenced in January 2019 to increase social capital and connections, and to reduce isolation and loneliness in older persons.

In March 2020 the project partnered with Befriend. Due to coronavirus the decision was made to pause all face-to-face contact and a new initiative called Ring Ring was developed.

Ring Ring connects seniors for a social chat. Once someone expresses an interest, we give them the name and telephone number of someone to call. With their permission, their name and telephone number goes to a third person. That way, everyone gets and makes a call.

We established a dedicated email address (ringring@befriend.org.au) and telephone number (1800 861 630). Volunteers assisted with calls and maintained the database.

We received referrals from Zak Kirkup MP’s office, who called people over 65 in the Dawesville electorate. We worked with the City of Mandurah Seniors Centre, three retirement villages, community groups and Facebook groups.

© 2024 Chorus. All rights reserved.
Aged Care
Next Story
Mental Health
WordPress Lightbox Plugin