Support programs for seniors

Need a hand with your bins?

We know bin day can be a challenge for some seniors.  Many people need just a small helping hand. Our local bin buddies are here to help!

Boroondara Bin Buddies is a volunteer-based program designed to support older adults living at home who need help with their weekly bin collection. The program pairs each eligible participant with a volunteer, ideally a neighbour or someone living nearby, to ensure their bins are put out for collection and returned promptly each week. 

Program eligibility

This program is available to older adults who may have mobility issues, a disability, or who lack a support network to assist with their bins.

• Do you live in Boroondara?
• Are you 65 or older?
• Do you have mobility issues or a disability?
• Do you have difficulty ‌managing your weekly waste bins and need help in putting out and bringing out your bins each week?
• Do you have limited support from family or friends. 

How to join the program 

• Complete the online referral form or ask a family member or friend to complete the form and refer you to the program.
  Referral form
• Contact the Program Coordinator on 03 9278 4777 or email [email protected] 

To refer a Boroondara resident who may benefit from the Bin Buddies Program, explain the program to them and ask for their permission before you complete the online referral form.  

What happens next

Once we receive a referral form, the Program Coordinator will call the resident to complete a registration form and schedule a home visit. During the visit, the coordinator will:

• explain details of the program.
• assess the safety, location and accessibility of the bins.
• ask the resident to complete a resident consent form to confirm their participation in the program.

We’ll match the resident with a local volunteer.

Become a Boroondara Bin Buddies Volunteer

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer Bin Buddy, please visit our Volunteer for Bin Buddies page.

Our Seniors Exercise Park is located in Victoria Park, Kew.

Free come and try sessions are run by a group of 10 volunteers from the community who have undertaken training with the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI). This friendly, enthusiastic team is now equipped to run our Come and Try sessions at the park, and demonstrate how you can use the equipment safely and effectively.

If you’re interested in ways to improve balance, strength​ or mobility, or you want to try a new activity this year, come along to our next Come and Try session.

Join a session

Our Come and Try sessions run on Tuesday and Friday mornings between 9:30 am and 11 am.

You can attend as many sessions as you like, and they don’t require any bookings or reservations. Simply drop by the park anytime between 9:30 am and 11 am for a demonstration of how to use the equipment.

Come and Try sessions aren’t held on public holidays or on days with inclement or extreme weather events. This includes days when the temperature is forecast to be over 30 degrees during session times, or on days of heavy rainfall and storms.

Please email [email protected] or call us on (03) 9278 4432 for more details.

Mandarin sessions

A Mandarin-speaking volunteer will be available for Come and Try sessions on the following upcoming dates:

在下列日期会有讲中文普通话的志愿者到现场协助 “来试试” (Come and Try) 健身辅导活动:

Tuesday 12 August
8月12日星期二

Tuesday 19 August
8月19日星期二

Tuesday 26 August
8月26日星期二

Tuesday 9 September
9月9日星期二

Tuesday 16 September
9月16日星期二

Tuesday 23 September
9月23日星期二

About the Seniors Exercise Park

We’re delivering the Seniors Exercise Park program in partnership with the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) and State Trustees Australia Foundation.

You can find more information on the equipment and exercises that can be completed, including instructional training videos, on the National Ageing Research Institute website. The instructional training videos are also available by scanning the QR codes located on the fitness equipment at the Seniors Exercise Park.

The Seniors Exercise Park is a specially designed fitness equipment area that officially opened in October 2022 as part of the new Victoria Park Regional Playground.

Why exercise is important for seniors

As we age, our bodies change and physical activity becomes even more important to help us continue to perform tasks in our daily lives. This is especially true for older adults to maintain physical and mental health as we age.

Physical activity can help reduce the risk of many health conditions and give us energy, help us maintain a positive mood and keep us strong.

Other exercise activities

We’re committed to supporting our community to remain healthy, engaged and socially connected.

You can find a list of other exercise activities in your area on our Activities for seniors page.

Become an exercise park volunteer

If you’re interested in becoming an exercise park volunteer, please visit our Seniors Exercise Park Champions program page.

Boroondara Cooks is a meal sharing and community strengthening program that helps older residents feel more connected. Volunteers who enjoy cooking prepare an extra meal and personally deliver it to a local older resident. While the meal provides nourishment, the real benefit is the friendly connection that comes with it.

This free program is for older Boroondara residents who:

• are over 60  years old
• may feel socially isolated
• have difficulty preparing a home made meal on a daily basis
• would appreciate a home-cooked meal and a friendly check-in.

Diners are matched with volunteer cooks who prepare an extra portion and drop it off—whether weekly, fortnightly or monthly. It’s not just about the food, it’s about knowing someone cares.

All volunteers complete a food safety and hygiene course and a National Police Check.

Get involved or refer someone to us today.

How to join the program

There are 2 ways a diner can join the program:

• They can contact the Program Coordinator on (03) 9278 4777 or email [email protected].
• A family member, friend or neighbour living in Boroondara can refer them to the program. 

To refer a diner, make sure you talk to them about the program first and get their permission. Then use our online referral form.

Refer a diner to Boroondara Cooks

If you want to refer someone to the program, consider printing the Boroondara Cooks flyer below. You can give it to the potential diner so they can learn more about the program.

What happens next

After we receive an application or referral, the Program Coordinator will organise a time to visit the diner at home.

During the visit they will:

• talk about the program
• find out more about the diner, including any dietary requirements or food preferences
• ask the diner to complete a consent form to take part in the program.

We’ll match the diner with a local volunteer cook based on location, similar interests and food preferences.

Benefits for older residents

For older residents, receiving a nutritious home-cooked meal and having a conversation with a volunteer can: 

• create connection
• ease feelings of isolation
• have a positive impact on wellbeing.

Become a local volunteer cook

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer cook, please visit our Volunteer for Boroondara Cooks page.

Our Home Library Service delivers library items to Boroondara residents who have difficulty visiting our libraries. You can borrow anything from our catalogue or ask for specific titles when you speak to one of our staff or volunteers.

Join the Home Library Service

To join the Home Library Service:

• ask in any library
• email us at [email protected]
• call us on (03) 9278 4666.

When you join, we’ll ask you about what you like to read, listen to and watch. We’ll also help you make your selections.

Our team of volunteers will deliver your selections to your home and collect them once you’ve finished with them. There’s no limit on the number of items you can borrow.

Volunteer for the Home Library Service

If you’re interested in helping deliver books, visit our Work or volunteer with us page.