The first translational pilot program in Sydney championing a community-led approach to end of life care
Frenchs Forest, NSW – 3 February 2025: Proveda (formerly CCNB) is hosting a special storytelling event to celebrate the launch of its Compassionate Connectors Program, a three year translational pilot funded by Proveda’s key partner’s Sydney North Health Network and The Wicking Trust. The program is designed to connect unique volunteers to individuals over 65 living with life changing diagnosis in the hope of building their social networks.
Loneliness and social isolation play a huge role in an individual’s healthspan, and recent research published by JAMA shows Australia is one of the countries with the greatest healthspan to lifespan gap (difference between years of good health versus years lived), sitting at 12.1 year.* The Compassionate Connector Program aims to act as a link between a person’s healthspan and lifespan by reducing the isolation often felt by those living with life-changing illness through the building of their social connection and support.
The stories shared throughout the evening will highlight the positive impact death literate volunteers can have in the community including the strength and compassion that spreads when the right social support, education and tools are in place.
Storytellers include:
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Danni Petkovic – Pink Slip to Death
Can the deepest most pivotal connections occur in the unlikeliest of places?
An unwanted meeting with a tough, burly country mechanic changed Danni’s life forever. His generosity and care led Danni to compassionate connectors and to become a carer for her younger brother, who faced terminal brain cancer. The unlikely connection ultimately changed her life's trajectory, leading her to campaign for death literacy through Dying to Know and creating an end of life doula service.
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Jean Paul Bell – Not Dead Yet
Since 1996, Jean Paul has worked as a clown doctor around seriously ill and dying people, some young and others at the end of a long life. Working in aged and palliative care, he has brought humour into serious environments. He learned to read the room, for some, laughter was ideal.
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Terence Kwan – Purpose from Tragedy
How do you respond to the news that members of your family, including three young children, have been the victims of a terrible murder suicide? Terence’s story will take attendees through the circumstances of this horrific tragedy, the events leading up to it, how it impacted family and community, and how it galvanised and provided direction for his sense of social purpose and contribution.
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John Milham – My Connection: A Three Body Problem
As life events unfold, orbit, create chaos, trauma and distress, it is only by letting go of everything that John has understood he is able to embrace the infinite solutions offered in the three body problem he found himself caught in. With those infinite solutions opening up new worlds, John has unlocked new connection, helping bring the loss and suffering some meaning. By laying bare three life-changing moments, he shares the learning he found to allow connection to his purpose, his truth and his freedom.
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Helen Nippard – Moments of Connection
Helen lives with her extended family on the Northern Beaches and is an active volunteer member with Proveda since 2018. Helen’s story and reflections of end of life moments inspires and takes us on a journey of appreciation of what connection brings. Throughout her story, you can hear how these experiences are connected, within and between us.
The evening will be co-hosted by Stories that Stir™ Co-Founder, Monica Rosenfeld and Proveda's Anna Petinsky and Jessie Williams, and will include light refreshments, along with the opportunity to connect with other attendees and storytellers, and share moments of laughter and reflection on a topic that affects us all.
Tickets to attend are $25 and space is limited! Click the following link to learn more and book your tickets today: www.proveda.com.au/event/inspiring-stories-on-life-and-death-a-special-night-to-launch-the-compassionate-connector-program/
Must be 18+ to attend. Please note that story content will touch on sensitive topics such as death, grief, and loss. However, moments of lightness and laughter will be brought to the event to balance the depth of the evening.
To learn more about the Compassionate Connectors Program, visit www.proveda.com.au/our-services/end-of-life/compassionate-communities/compassionate-connector-program/
ENDS
References: *Garmany A, Terzic A. Global Healthspan-Lifespan Gaps Among 183 World Health Organization Member States. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(12):e2450241. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.50241
For access to interview requests and images, please contact:
Ashley Best, Public Relations, Proveda
[email protected]
0468 518 735
About Proveda (formerly CCNB)
A valued partner, trusted provider and respected employer, Proveda’s purpose is to enable individuals and communities to grow, connect and feel supported through collective expertise. Established in 1994, Proveda is the Northern Sydney Region’s largest independent, not-for-profit, community-led organisation. Its focus is to support people, their families and carers to navigate the health and social care systems, access the services they require, when they require them, and to live the life they want.
Contact details:
For access to interview requests and images, please contact:
Ashley Best, Public Relations, Proveda [email protected]
0468 518 735