Healthy Outcomes: measurable impact
Research shows that connection, social activity and supports improve our health, but can it be quantified in our community?
In 2024/2025 the LAWH project was extended so that we could quantify the impact a Living and Ageing Well Hub could have on people's lives, particularly those living with chronic conditions. In a five month focus group, we sought to obtain a snapshot of what could be achieved with time and resources. The findings were compelling.
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Guided reflection, provided by a community-based Link Worker, enabled 17 participants to gain signficant insight into their own heath and well-being journeys, resulting in measurable improvements and meaningful personal outcomes.
What the Study Found?
When older people, a neighbourhood house and a health service sat down to discuss forming a partnership that would strengthen people’s ability to live and age well in their hometown longer, we were not 100% sure what results we’d deliver.
It began with a partnership between Clunes Neighbourhood House, Central Highlands Rural Health and group of volunteers at Attitude. Ageing Well in Clunes which is both an idea about community and a community building. Key resources generated during the first stage of our project:
Giving Voice
A short film about ageing well in a small community.
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Starring Judi, Dayle, Peter, Linda, Carmel, Sue, Malcolm, Gill, James, Patsy, Tess, Hugh, Rod, Pauline and Lois.
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Legacy resource generated during the second stage of our project:
A Rich Harvest
Having set out with an understanding of the World Health Organisation’s eight domains used globally as predictors of an age-friendly environment, we knew that the interplay and issues impacting on each of these attributes in communities can be complex, particularly in rural areas.
What we found is that an innovative, place-based partnership can strengthen the attributes that already exist in a way that fertilises the ground for the other attributes to grow. Especially when you truly dig deep to collaborate.
Ageing with Friends
A short film about joyfully engaging with our local community.
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Starring members of the Clunes Community.
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Key reflections highlighting that can come from genuine collaboration:
Grow your Own
Our journey was unique because of our place, resources and collaborators. We weren't sure what the end outcome would look like. Along the way we became clearer about what was important for us, and how that might be useful for others trying to replicate what we did.
We made a short film reflecting on those learnings.
Watch our Partnering with an Ageing Community Group, Short Film, here.
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​What was the end result?
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A dedicated age-friendly space
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A way of working with, not for
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An understanding of the tools that are important for nurturing participation
