Uniting AgeWell’s LGBTI services awarded

Wednesday 16 May 2017

Uniting AgeWell’s work in providing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) inclusive services has been recognised with a LASA 2017 Excellence in Care Award.

The organisation received the Community Inclusiveness Award at the LASA Vic State Conference in Melbourne on Monday, May 15.

Uniting AgeWell CEO Andrew Kinnersly accepted the award at a special Gala Dinner.

“We are delighted to have received this award, which acknowledges the work we have done to ensure our services are LGBTI-inclusive,” he said.

UA recognises LGBTI ageing is a unique and important experience warranting a considered, consultative and systemic approach.  

“Over the last four years we have worked with the LGBTI community to include LGBTI inclusive practice into our residential and community services, to meet the needs of the older LGBTI community in Victoria and Tasmania.

“Thank you to LASA for this recognition.”

The LASA Excellence in Care Awards recognise excellence and innovation across Victoria’s Aged Care industry. 

LASA says the Awards celebrate significant contributions to the quality of life of older Victorians, while acknowledging our nominee’s efforts to increase public confidence and community involvement in the aged care sector.

“These Awards promote and recognise excellence in a range of areas that contribute to the quality of life of older Australians, people with disabilities and/or their carers. The Awards also acknowledge efforts to increase public confidence and community involvement in age services,” LASA says.

It is the second award Uniting AgeWell has received for its LGTBI inclusive practice.  Last year it won a prestigious Dorothies Award in Tasmania, which recognised “Inclusive Practice for LGBTI elders in a Faith-Based Care Service”.

Andrew Kinnersly said that as part of the Uniting Church in Australia, Uniting AgeWell celebrated the contributions LGBTI staff, volunteers and clients had made to the organisation’s communities over decades.  

“Our work with the LGBTI community enhances our long history of providing services for older people, irrespective of their faith, cultural background, gender or sexual identity,” he said.

“It continues the Church’s spirit of embracing diversity, respecting differences, being open to discuss controversial issues and what it means to be inclusive of all people.”