SA Silver Rainbow 
Community of Practice E-news 
June 2021

For workers in the aged-care sector exploring the needs and rights of LGBTI elders

A network that is more than a network

News Flash!

You are receiving this email because you have attended Silver Rainbow Training. We’ve been on hold because of Covid-19 but now we’re getting going again and incorporating ways of supporting workers in country locations. 

Anyone who is a worker in the aged care sector is welcome to join us; we share questions and observations and discuss issues relating to providing services and care to LGBTI elders. Open to carers, nurses, food staff, gardeners, managers, administration, clinicians, maintenance, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, doctors, cleaners… It doesn’t matter what your job role or title is, if you are working in residential accommodation or home care you will have LGBTI elders as clients and you are welcome. 

If these events or dates do not suit you then contact our Project Officer Jackie Wurm on JWurm@cotasa.org.au to discuss your interests and preferences. 

Come along to meet with others, to debrief, complain, re-connect, celebrate successes and generally share your experiences of life in the aged care sector during Covid-19.

Tuesday July 5, 2021 3.00-4.30 pm at Diverse-City, 116 Grote St, Adelaide

Afternoon tea—coffees and teas, scones and/or savoury muffins. Registration essential for Covid numbers—please contact events@cotasa.org.au. Please indicate if you need gluten free or vegan options. Opposite Chinatown; near the Bus Station and the Central Market Car Parks Country staff: please register your interest in a Zoom meeting at another date with events@cotasa.org.au.

Dementia (1)—an in-person workshop or on Zoom

Morna Coats of Dementia Australia will present information about Dementia with a focus on the issues experienced by LGBTI elders living with dementia.

Tuesday August 3, 2021 3.00 to 4.30 pm at the Training Room of Dementia Australia 

27 Conyngham Street, Glenside SA 5065. 

Afternoon tea provided.

This session will also be available on Zoom for anyone who is unable to attend. Registration essential for workshop attendees and for those wishing to access the link for streaming; please events@cotasa.org.au.

Dementia (2)—an in-person or Zoom follow-up to Dementia (1)

Participants will share observations, questions and thoughts since the initial input by Morna Coats. 

Tuesday September 7, 2021 3.00 to 4.30 pm at the Training Room of Dementia Australia 27 Conyngham Street, Glenside SA 5065.

Afternoon tea provided. This session will also be available on Zoom for anyone who is unable to attend; depending numbers, we might hold the Zoom session at a different time to enable easier discussion. Registration essential for workshop attendees and for those wishing to access the link for streaming; please contact events@cotasa.org.au.

Making our services LGBTI friendly (1)—we were surprised by what we needed to think about—an in-person workshop or on Zoom

Chris Morris of Eldercare will talk about the process of gaining the Rainbow Tick Accreditation from the perspective of what surprised her and other staff. She will focus on things that she and others had not realised they needed to think about; she will also talk about the ‘sticking points’ with individual or teams of staff that also surprised her.

Tuesday October 5, 2021 3.00 to 4.30 pm at the Training Room of Dementia Australia 

27 Conyngham Street, Glenside SA 5065.

Afternoon tea provided. This session will also be available on Zoom for anyone who is unable to attend. Registration essential for workshop attendees and for those wishing to access the link for streaming; please contact events@cotasa.org.au.

Making our services LGBTI friendly (2)—an in-person or Zoom follow-up to the previous session

Participants will share observations, questions and thoughts since the initial input by Chris Morris. 

Tuesday November 2, 2021 3.00 to 4.30 pm at the Training Room of Dementia Australia 27 Conyngham Street, Glenside SA 5065.

Afternoon tea provided. This session will also be available on Zoom for anyone who is unable to attend; depending numbers, we might hold the Zoom session at a different time to enable easier discussion. Registration essential for workshop attendees and for those wishing to access the link for streaming; please contact events@cotasa.org.au. 

What we want to discuss in 2022—an in-person chat or Zoom

Participants will share observations, questions and thoughts about the current format of the CoP and discuss ideas for 2022 events and resources.

Tuesday December 7, 2021 3.00 to 4.30 pm at the Training Room of Dementia Australia 27 Conyngham Street, Glenside SA 5065.

Afternoon tea provided. This session will also be available on Zoom for anyone who is unable to attend; depending numbers, we might hold the Zoom session at a different time to enable easier discussion. Registration essential for workshop attendees and for those wishing to access the link for streaming; please contact events@cotasa.org.au. 

Spread the word!

If you know someone who may be interested in our expanded services, including refreshers, please share. COTA SA's Silver Rainbow Training & Consulting team (some are pictured above) use their lived experience and extensive training and development backgrounds to assist  agencies to be welcoming to, as well as standards-compliant for LGBTI elders, consistent with Australian Aged Care Quality Standards and the principles of diversity and inclusion. Download our flyer about our flexible services here.

The South Australia Community of Practice is part of the Silver Rainbow Training and Development Program which is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and auspiced by LGBTIQ+ Health Australia.   

COTA SA acknowledges the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains as the traditional custodians of the land our headquarters occupy. We also acknowledge all Aboriginal nations throughout South Australia. We honour Aboriginal peoples’ continuing connection to Country and recognise that their sovereignty was never ceded. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal people.