Based at Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre, the Mall Walkers program facilitated by our community connector will engage an estimated forty seniors. The Mall Walkers program will improve connection and wellbeing through two organised weekly walking group sessions followed by a coffee catch up at a local café. Mall Walkers is led by a qualified trainer ...
The Council for Christian Education in Schools T/A Korus Connect
Improving connection and wellbeing for seniors

GOAL
$7,199
Field of Interest
- Civic engagement and leadership
- Health/wellbeing and medical research
Target Population
- Seniors (65+)

Korus Connect supports the wellbeing of communities. We help build, nurture and sustain communities to be connected, supported and whole.
Our key initiatives include the delivery of chaplaincy services in Victorian schools and community hubs, the delivery of religious instruction to students whose parents have consented, as well as the provision of community connectors, and training in related areas. Community connectors provide pastoral and practical care to individuals and serve as a bridge between key organisations and the community.
Our connectors are based in shopping centres, Melbourne Airport and any other 'community hub' which seeks to improve social connections, community engagement and belonging. In addition, Korus Connect delivers a raft of training courses in the pastoral care space, including the government's mandated chaplaincy training units. Korus Connect is committed to data collection, evaluation and social impact reporting to demonstrate to our funders and partners that our initiatives are having a positive impact on the wellbeing of those who participate. Further, our community connector initiatives are strengthening community alliances, reducing loneliness and improving community connection. Our staff and volunteers are based in metropolitan and regional Victoria, serving local communities, and our head office is in Blackburn North.
Project Summary
Based at Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre, the Mall Walkers program facilitated by our community connector will engage an estimated forty seniors. The Mall Walkers program will improve connection and wellbeing through two organised weekly walking group sessions followed by a coffee catch up at a local café.
Mall Walkers is led by a qualified trainer from the local YMCA facility (recently taken over by Aligned Leisure). This initiative has many positive wellbeing components: reduced risk of falls, improved balance and fitness, improved mental health, stronger social connection and sense of belonging, as well as an improved sense of safety. It will be delivered in a safe environment, which is accessible, inclusive and affordable (no cost to participants except for their coffee purchase), and will be responsive to the unique needs of participants. Organised physical activity builds belonging, teamwork, community and camaraderie. Meanwhile, a coffee catch up affords people expression, purpose and meaning through conversation, participation, being heard, valued and acknowledged. It also facilitates the development of friendships and mutual support structures.
A Korus Connect community connector will work alongside a trainer to encourage social connections, community participation and belonging for people in the City of Casey. This has the capacity to improve the participants’ wellbeing, connections, resilience and belonging, while also decreasing social isolation and loneliness. Social, mental and physical wellbeing are all positively impacted by participation in the Mall Walkers Program.
Project Outcomes
The projected outcomes of the Mall Walkers Project are self-reported:
- Improved physical wellbeing
- Improved mental wellbeing
- Improved social connectedness, reduced loneliness and improved social confidence.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $8,348
FUNDING
Funding source | Amount |
---|---|
Shopping Centre management (unconfirmed) | $999 |
Donors (unconfirmed) | $150 |
Funding gap (unconfirmed) | $7,199 |
EXPENSES
Expense item | Amount |
---|---|
cost of trainer | $6,300 |
cost of community connector | $1,998 |
printing of flyers | $50 |
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