Compassionate Communities
Compassionate Communities
We have been a proud leader of the inaugural Compassionate Communities Australia movement, under the auspices of The Groundswell Project Australia, (now owned and operated by Proveda).
Compassionate Communities grow connectedness and compassion, working together, to create a supportive environment for those in need.
Compassionate Communities is a practice that openly encourages, supports and celebrates caring for each other during life’s most testing times, especially those associated living with a life changing diagnosis, chronic disability, being a carer, frailty, ageing, dementia, dying and grief.
Compassion is the community’s responsibility, that’s me, you, all individuals, families, peers, neighbourhoods, workplaces, schools, health services, government, faith based, voluntary and other organisations and services. (Def: Compassionate Communities Australia)
This approach is active in multiple countries and was found to be a feasible option for people in Australia from a report commissioned by the Federal Government in 2018.
Proveda has been, and will continue to be, active in the growth of the Compassionate Communities movement in Australia as an important public health approach to end of life, underpinning many of our programs and services.
The learnings from the National Compassionate Communities Forum held in 2018, were captured in a comprehensive research report that highlights common struggles and triumphs, various communities experience, and it also made recommendations for the new Australian Compassionate Communities movement at large.
Also collated as part of this important, groundbreaking work in Australia, a community development toolkit, was a practical outcome from this work. The toolkit shares community insights and experiences from nine communities in Australia and offers ideas and inspiration for a community-led approach to the experience of end of life.
We are delighted to provide you with this important information which can be downloaded from our news and resources page along with an informative video from Murray Hall Community Trust in the UK. The research informing these resources was facilitated by Western Sydney University’s Caring at End of Life research team.
Join the Compassionate Connector Program
Many elders in Sydney’s north live with a life changing diagnosis and don’t get the number of visits they would like in their homes, and the people they do have in their lives who support them are often overwhelmed with the tasks of caring.
A recently introduced Compassionate Connector Program has been designed to connect volunteers with people in the community who are over 65 and living with a life changing diagnosis. The aim of this program is to build their social and practical supports through the use of Connectors and Willing Helpers.
To find out more about the program or how you can become involved, click the button below.
Join the Compassionate Communities Conversation series
As a community, we’re getting older, and we know that to age well, we need to look out for each other at home and in our community. That’s exactly what these monthly conversations are all about.
Join us at Warringah Mall Library to connect, share, and explore topics that matter as we age.
When:
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First Monday of every month
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Starting 5th May 2025
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1:30pm – 3:30pm
Each session will focus on a different topic, with a few suggested conversation starters to get things flowing. But ultimately, the direction will be guided by those who attend.
Why come along?
Because when we’re socially connected, we’re happier, physically and mentally healthier. And we tend to live longer, more meaningful lives
Bring a friend, come for the conversation, and stay for the connection. We’d love to have you there.
Compassionate Workplace Forum
Join us for a practical workshop on creating compassionate, supportive workplaces. Learn how to confidently navigate conversations around death, grief, and loss — essential skills for leaders and teams in healthcare and community sectors.
Through expert discussions and hands-on activities, gain tools to:
- Support grieving employees
- Help colleagues navigate client loss
- Build a culture of care and resilience
Interested in co-hosting? Submit your expression of interest today!