COTA NT (also known as Council on the Ageing NT) is the peak body for Seniors in the Northern Territory advocating for their rights and wellbeing since 1969
The aim of the Multicultural Social Support Program (MSSP) run by COTA NT is to assist seniors within Territory migrant and ethnic communities to stay in touch, keep connected with the wider community, and engage with new people in regular events and activities that promote cultural and linguistic diversity in the Northern Territory.
With the assistance of MSSP funding provided by the Multicultural Affairs Office of the Northern Territory government, COTA NT sponsors two seniors groups – Italians and Timorese/Portuguese-Chinese – who are brought together weekly for social and community engagement purposes. A casual support person coordinates the activities, undertakes translation services where necessary, and assists COTA NT to deliver the program to these two groups of very senior and isolated men and women.
These groups help:
Prevent social isolation (which is known to be a factor in undermining mental and physical health), promote good health, and provide knowledge that will assist seniors to make informed choices.
Maintain cultural identity within a social environment. Provide “in language” information for older people on a range of topics (e.g., aged care support in the home, healthy ageing, dementia, depression and anxiety, changes to Commonwealth/NT programs for seniors, etc.).
Maintain seniors’ confidence in going out by providing escorted/hosted activities in safe, comfortable environments.
The programs are managed by COTA NT from Spillett House, but seniors attend a variety of venues and activities, including the Italian Club, Spillett House, Botanical Gardens, Nightcliff Swimming Pool, fish feeding, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Parliament House, and others.
Inclusion
Members of the groups are invited to all COTA sponsored events and other community events of interest beyond the scheduled dates for the MSSP program.
Advocacy
The Minister’s Advisory Council for Senior Territorians (MAC-ST) was established in 2015 to provide a voice for the Territory’s seniors’ community. To ensure COTA NT voices the real issues and concerns of Senior Territorians, COTA NT hosts expos, events, information sessions, and activities, and disseminates surveys and polls through different media, including the NT Seniors Voice, asking seniors for their opinions and answers on questions that matter to them.
