Compassionate communities

Compassionate communities are communities where everybody recognises that we all have a role to play in supporting each other in times of loss, ageing, dying and grief.1

Through the Department of Health’s Compassionate Communities 2022 Local Government Grant Program, the City has received funding to create a more compassionate community. This project spans over two years and ends in March 2024.

As part of this project, we will be running workshops to inform, prepare and support the community. These workshops will focus on topics such as support for carers, understanding grief or making plans that cover future care, lifestyle, health and finances (also known as Advance Care Planning).

“A city is not merely a place to work and access services but equally a place to enjoy support in the safety and protection of each other’s company, in schools, workplaces, places of worship and recreation, in cultural forums and social networks anywhere within the city’s influence, even to the end of our days.” — Alan Kellehear, the Compassionate City Charter.

The City of Stirling is the largest local government in Western Australia based on population, with over 220,000 residents. This population is significantly diverse in age and cultural background. As a local government authority, the City of Stirling aims to build communities that are connected, informed and empowered to create positive change.

If you have any queries or would like more information on this project coordinated by the City of Stirling, please contact community@stirling.wa.gov.au or (08) 9205 8579.

Additional resources

Advance Care Planning

We all want to have a say in what happens at the end of our lives. By making plans that cover your future care, lifestyle, health and finances, you’re not only working out what you want, you are also making things easier on those around you.

This process is called Advance Care Planning.

You can attend a free Advance Care Planning workshop run by Palliative Care WA. These interactive workshops will provide practical information to help you make a start with your advance care planning. To find out if one is scheduled near you, go to the Palliative Care WA events page. Alternatively, talk to Palliative Care WA about organising one for your community or organisation.  Workshops can be face to face or online. More information can be found on the Palliative Care WA website.

Other useful websites for Advance Care Planning:

Palliative Care Helpline

The Palliative Care Helpline provides information, support and understanding on Advance Care Planning, palliative care, grief and loss. It’s a free and confidential local WA line, available 9am to 5pm every day of the year. Contact the Helpline on 1800 573 299 with your questions on Advance Care Planning.

Compassionate Communities WA Network

Palliative Care WA is committed to encouraging and supporting current and emerging compassionate communities across the State. One of the ways Palliative Care WA do that is by facilitating the Compassionate Communities WA Network. Hosted by Palliative Care WA, the Network meets online via Zoom throughout the year. The intention is to provide a space to:

  • share experiences and resources
  • discuss ideas and innovations
  • provide support to each other
  • encourage new compassionate communities.

This is an open forum, and we encourage anyone with an interest in compassionate communities to join in. Whether you are still learning, or have your compassionate community up and running, you are most welcome to attend. Contact Palliative Care WA on info@palliativecarewa.asn.au to find out how to join the next meeting.

More information on Compassionate Communities

1.Information supplied by Palliative Care Queensland.