Wellness and Wellness Activities
OWN has always been interested in promoting the health and wellbeing of older women. Since 1993, we have been actively supporting the development of activities and wellness centres that offer older women a different model of health promotion.
OWN's wellness practices are based on principles of peer education and support, building on older women's skills and experience, and introducing a variety of strategies for promoting health and wellbeing.
With financial support from the NSW Health Department, Area Health Services and local Councils, OWN continues to support groups of older women in their own communities to establish wellness centres.
All OWN Wellness Centres
- Involve older women directly in defining their own needs, in designing and implementing programs that respond to these needs and in evaluating the effectiveness of these programs in relation to their health and wellbeing.
- Acknowledge the full range of factors that contribute to older women's health and wellbeing including societal attitudes, social justice and feeling of isolation.
- Promote, acknowledge and utilise older women's knowledge and skills and the vital role life long learning plays in increasing a person's capacity to maintain their own health and wellbeing and to contribute to community life.
- Encompass the rich diversity of older women's experience and cultural backgrounds.
- Include one or more forms of gentle exercise, health and lifestyle information in a discussion format, peer support and social interaction.
- Provide an inclusive and welcoming environment where older women from all cultures have fun and support one another.
At OWN's Wellness Centres, we are committed to flexible, 'drop in' attendance. Women can come for one activity or stay for the day. They can come as often as they wish, and do not need to book or pay in advance. Our Centres operate as non-profit community projects, and have minimal charges, in many cases a small voluntary donation is all that is asked. The participants at each Centre decide on what contributions they will make.
Bankstown Wellness Centre
Older Women's Network Bankstown Wellness Centre operates Monday through Wednesday at several venues in the Bankstown region of South West Sydney. Activities include gentle exercise, Feldenkrais, Tai Chi, drumming, massage, aqua exercise, International Dance, massage, health information and discussions.
Program of Activities for Term 1, 2012.
Wellness in Your Hands for Term 1, 2012.
Our Own News for November/December, 2011.
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Phone: 02 9708 2245 for information.
Illawarra Wellness Centre
Illawarra OWN Wellness Centre is a friendly women's only space and is situated right next to Coniston railway station and
is 1Km from the Wollongong CBD. It is serviced by Premier bus routes 10, 11 and 65. We operate during school terms on Monday
from 9:00am till 2 30pm with classes Tai Chi, International Dancing, Extra Gentle and Gentle Exercise and Argentinean Drumming.
On Tuesday classes start at 9:00am and finish at 1pm. They are Thai Yoga and.Ukulele. The facilitators are highly trained
professional trainers, who are all experienced in working with older women of various ethnic backgrounds, religions and
sensitivities.
Workshops held during the year will deal with issues that will be tailored to the needs and aspirations of Older Women.
Grief, loss and low self esteem are just some of the issues that are addressed in our discussion and workshops.
There is an enthusiastic group of drummers who play South America rhythms that are the traditional rhythms of Argentina.
Playing the Ukulele has also given our members the opportunity to play an instrument that is being rediscovered by
enthusiasts of all ages. Performances and workshops by the Drummers and Ukulele players are available to any community
group who would like to learn a little more about the art of Argentinean Drumming.
Program 2012.
Newsletter December, 2011.
For further information ring 0415 057 452.
Northside Wellness Centre
Northside Older Women's Wellness Centre organises activities at the Dougherty Centre, 7 Victor Street, Chatswood, we operate every Wednesday
and Friday during school term.
The Wednesday activities are from 10:00am to 3:00pm, they include exercise classes of Feldenkrais and Qi Gong, Information and Group Discussion with guest speakers, Needlecraft, Book Club and Workshops.
The Friday activity is from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, it is a contemporary Chinese painting class with an Australian perspective.
Program of Activities for Term 1, 2012.
Chinese Brush Painting brochure.
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For further information phone 02 9415 2474 or 02 9419 6417.
Sutherland Wellness Centre
Older Women's Network Sutherland Wellness Centre has a program of activities at two locations in Sutherland, and are looking to expand to other centres in the Shire.
Phone 02 9523 9158 or 02 9525 6198 for information.
Sydney OWN
Sydney OWN has a program of activities at The Rocks, in Sydney.
Phone 02 9247 7046 for information.
Other OWN Groups throughout NSW also organise a variety of events and activities for members. Phone OWN NSW 02 9247 7046 for contact details.
We also have a wealth of materials about OWN's model of wellness, including A Wellness Guide, which gives suggestions for starting a local wellness activities, help with setting up OWN Groups, videos, reports and suggestions for activities.
For more information, please contact the OWN NSW Coordinator.
tel: 02 9247 7046
email: info@ownnsw.org.au
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