The Australian Islamic Centre (AIC) in Newport has been given $10,000 to help reduce loneliness and isolation among elderly men in its community.
The grant from Australia Post will go towards the AIC’s Midday Men’s Gathering, an eight-session Arabic-language wellbeing program for elderly men who attend the mosque daily.
Over two weeks, more than 20 Arabic speaking men will gather after Dhuhr prayer for tea, conversation, and guided storytelling aimed at fostering emotional wellbeing.
“Many elderly men in our community experience loneliness, grief, and loss of purpose but do not access formal mental health support due to stigma, language, or cultural barriers,” AIC general manager Taher Elrafihi said.
“This program provides a safe, familiar space for meaningful conversation, reflection, and emotional support, delivered in their language and within a setting they trust.
“It addresses an unmet need for connection and wellbeing support among a vulnerable, often overlooked group in our community.”
Williamstown MP Melissa Horne welcomed the news.
“Congratulations to the Australian Islamic Centre for providing such an important cultural and wellbeing service to those in our community at risk of isolation.”
The other Hobsons Bay grant recipients were Brooklyn’s Beyond Labels Au, which was awarded $10,000 to provide mental health first aid training to disability support workers, and the Laverton Community Centre, which got $4000 for fortnightly peer-led wellbeing circles for vulnerable residents.
