Australia is a country with a rich abundance of different cultures and languages.

Thanks to new funding, CentacareCQ is expanding its ability to tailor activities for clients from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

This new funding will mean the organisation can provide activities for older CALD clients, which will allow their partners, families or other carers to take respite from their caring duties. 

The CentacareCQ team will work to develop activities based on input from CALD clients and community members about the types of activities in which they would like to participate. The organisation will also be partnering with agencies who work closely with the CALD community, engaging guest speakers and facilitators, and promoting activities. They will also assist in engaging with potential CentacareCQ community care applicants to encourage and support the recruitment of a diverse workforce.  

Examples of activities include:

• Story telling
• Board games
• Visits to local farms & nurseries
• Seated exercise and meditation
• iPad lessons
• Health & wellbeing information sessions
• Shopping trips

Group activities have been developed after feedback provided from current clients; CALD participants, as well as their families and carers will be encouraged to provide suggestions for future activities. 

The organisation is also adapting processes to meet the needs of CALD participants. This includes engaging interpreters where needed and rostering staff with knowledge of specific languages and cultures. 

CentacareCQ’s expanded CALD services are available to clients in Bundaberg, Rockhampton and for the first time in Mackay. 

If you would like to find out more about CentacareCQ’s services for CALD clients or check your eligibility please call 1300 523 985 or visit: www.centacarecq.com/cald and complete the online form.