A total of 14 Sutherland Shire community projects have received grants of up to $10,000 to improve the health and well-being of residents.
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) partnered with Sutherland Shire Council for the first time to offer the Doing it Differently grants, which were handed out this week.
The grants were awarded to community members, groups and non-profit organisations for projects that built on existing community strengths and assets to deliver healthy, strong and connected communities.
In choosing the recipients, organisers recognised Sutherland Shire had a large ageing population as well as many families with young children. Over the coming decade, the number of one-person households is expected to rise, creating a need for sustainable community-led programs to promote social inclusion.
The grants covered a wide variety of activities. Among the recipients was Shire Woodworking Club's 'Wood You Help Us?' project, which received funding to buy woodwork equipment to make children's therapy toys for charities.
Platform Nine - Kingsway Community Care will use its grant to fund self-defence classes for women who have been victims of domestic and family violence.
SESLHD chief executive Tobi Wilson said the grants would fund programs that met specific needs in the community.
"The model aims to build on community strengths to enhance positive outcomes," Mr Wilson said.
He said harnessing existing resources within the community empowered local residents to take an active role in managing their own health.
Sutherland Shire Mayor Carmelo Pesce said the council was proud to work collaboratively with the health sector to support community organisations.
"These organisations will make a difference by implementing projects that will address a broad range of needs within our community and ultimately improve the health and well-being of Sutherland Shire residents," councillor Pesce said.
