SA Silver Rainbow 
Community of Practice E-news 
update July 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 - limited places available for Tuesday 3/8!

This update is to remind you of our Dementia (1) Community of Practice Session next Tuesday. See details below. If you wish to attend face to face, there are a few more places available. Contact events@cotasa.org.au or call 08 8232 0422 to register for face to face or zoom participation.

Anyone who is a worker or interested 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. 

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 contact 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.

Contact our Project Officer Jackie Wurm at jwurm@cotasa.org.au to discuss your interests and preferences for our services or the Community of Practice.

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.