Latest news with #GlobalNetworkofAge-FriendlyCities
Perth Now
4 days ago
- General
- Perth Now
Mandurah knitters work their needles against elder abuse
Hundreds of beautiful purple flowers will decorate public buildings in Mandurah this June, but behind the lovely facade lies a serious message. Local knitters and crocheters, members of The Knitwits, have been stitching up a storm to help raise awareness and understanding of elder abuse through the state-wide Purple Road Project. At the group's weekly crafting sessions at the Mandurah Seniors Centre, members made the flowers to contribute to their patch of the purple knitted road. Your local paper, whenever you want it. This road symbolises the path towards a brighter, equitable and safer future for older people. The Knitwits formed in 2012 and started making the flowers for the first time last year, contributing hundreds of flowers to the Purple Road. This year, The Knitwits again made hundreds of flowers for the project, with each handmade flower telling a story of courage and perseverance and illustrating the challenges seniors face, which can include several different forms of elder abuse. From humble beginnings in 2011, the Purple Road Project is now around 100m in length, with the collaborative artwork becoming larger each year. Annually on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15), sections of Purple Road from across the State join to represent resilience and solidarity and are often put on display to help spread awareness and understanding of elder abuse. Mandurah's Purple Road artwork will be displayed at the Mandurah's administration building (June 16 – 20) and the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre (June 23 – 27) for the community to see. Mayor Caroline Knight congratulated The Knitwits for their dedication towards helping to raise awareness in the community for an important issue. 'Older people have the right to feel safe, valued and respected, and this project is a really meaningful way we can stand together against mistreatment of older people,' Ms Knight said. 'With more than 32 per cent of our city's population aged 55 and above, we want to ensure Mandurah is a safe, connected, and inclusive community for older adults. 'We're in the process of applying for membership to the Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities through the World Health Organisation, which will help us to develop an Age-Friendly Strategy. It's important for us to create the most inclusive and supportive environment possible.' The Mandurah Seniors Centre is hosting an afternoon tea on Tuesday, June 10 (1pm to 2.30pm) to support World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Head along to create a felt flower to add to the Purple Road display. Bookings are essential via seniors@ or call 9550 3799.
Sharjah 24
07-05-2025
- Health
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah hosts awareness session on Green Heart Award for seniors
The session, held at the Indaba Hall in Sharjah Safari, welcomed 59 elderly participants from the Eastern and Central regions, Al Hamriyah, and Sharjah city. The initiative aims to encourage participation in the award's fourth cycle, which honours individuals aged 60 and above for their lifelong contributions and life experiences, offering valuable lessons to younger generations. Strong engagement from senior citizens The Office of Age-Friendly Quality and Health Services noted the growing interest among senior citizens in the emirate. Accordingly, similar sessions will be held across various locations in the coming period to reach a wider audience. The session focused on clarifying the award's purpose and categories and addressed participant inquiries regarding eligibility and registration. The event featured a comprehensive presentation on the award's objectives, participation criteria, and the crucial roles seniors play in advancing community, health, volunteer, cultural, and family initiatives. It also highlighted the importance of intergenerational communication to pass on their knowledge and experiences. Effective past experiences and participation The session opened with the national anthem, followed by welcoming remarks and a video featuring previous award winners, who shared the impact the award had on their lives and offered support to new applicants. Another video presentation introduced the award, its fields, categories, and standards, and explained how to register via the Age-Friendly Sharjah Programme's website. Applications opened on 7 April and will continue until 25 June. Interested seniors can apply through the official website: Award goals and categories The award seeks to acknowledge the contributions of older adults across various fields while encouraging them to adopt healthier, more active lifestyles that enhance their quality of life. It also aims to promote the concept of the 'Green Heart' and the principles of active ageing, in addition to supporting Sharjah's membership in the Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities. There are two main award categories: 'Active Senior' and 'Distinguished Senior,' each covering four core areas—cultural, social, health, and professional. Winners are honoured during an annual ceremony aligned with the International Day of Older Persons and the Senior Services Forum hosted by the Sharjah Social Services Department.
