Residents at the Illawarra Retirement Trust in Peakhurst (IRT Peakhurst) will be getting in the picture for the 2021 NSW Seniors Festival.
IRT Peakhurst has just received $4,980 from the NSW Seniors Festival grants program to provide an art therapy program called "Art from the Heart" to celebrate the creativity of residents.
Sessions for the art therapy program will be undertaken during the NSW Seniors Festival, which runs between April 13 and 24 April.
The grants program had three categories covering small, community-run activities with grants up to $1,000, to large-scale programs with grants of up to $10,000.
Almost 80 projects were selected across the state, adding to a diverse schedule of activities including social dances, educational workshops and health programs.
Acting Minister for Seniors, Geoff Lee, said the program aims to give every senior citizen the chance to be part of the NSW Seniors Festival.
"Staying connected is pivotal to wellbeing, so we have backed local initiatives to help reach seniors no matter their language, location or mobility level," Mr Lee said.
Oatley MP, Mark Coure, acknowledged the importance of investing in senior members of the community and how the program will do just that.
"This grant is an opportunity for older people in our area to get out into the community and be social, happy and active," Mr Coure said.
"I look forward to seeing the art and musical entertainment on offer at IRT Peakhurst during the NSW Seniors Festival, because I know that this program will directly result in a reduction of loneliness and social isolation," Mr Coure said.
Learn more about the NSW Seniors Festival at: www.seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au