In 2015, HealthWest Partnership received funding from the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation to carry out a unique project designed to raise awareness of public health concerns associated with gambling harm and to promote alternative recreational activities for older people in migrant and refugee communities across Victoria.  I was fortunate enough to be contracted to carry out a formative evaluation of this pilot project.

I became part of the project team and observed the development and implementation of the project over an 18 month period.  The evaluation used a mixed-methods approach and as much participatory evaluation planning as possible.  As a result of this project, a number of partner organisations created alternative recreational experiences for older people in their communities.  I really enjoyed capturing the short-term outcomes of this project and getting to know the key partners involved.