Community & Business
27 January, 2023
Community connectors sought
LOCALS are being asked to apply to become a “health community connector” in a bid to improve the end-of-life experience for residents.
The Compassionate Communities initiative, developed by the North Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), aims to empower members of the community to play a stronger and more confident role in the care and support of people at end of life.
The program will activate everyday citizens to draw upon their knowledge of local services and groups and offer that information to people that they come across who might benefit from being more connected.
A NQPHN spokesperson said health community connectors could be hairdressers, taxi drivers, café staff, aged care workers, teenagers, students, choir group members, community workers, business owners, librarians, social workers or neighbours.
The organisation is now seeking expressions of interest from people to become health community connectors, specifically people who are community-minded individuals passionate about engaging with community members on identifying and signposting vulnerable people to groups, services and other supports that either formally and informally address end of life care, grief and bereavement.
Some examples of these services and supports may include palliative care, support groups, social clubs, community services and any other type of helpful supports. Health community connectors may be retired professionals, health or community services professionals, or caregivers amongst others.
To register your interest to attend the free health community connectors’ train-the-trainer workshops in either Mareeba (31 January ) or Atherton (30 January) call 0475 747 489 and speak to Maria Callaghan, Older Persons’ Health & Palliative Care Manager for more information.
