Supporting the Active Ageing Advisory Committee
We've resourced and convened the Active Ageing Advisory Committee (AAAC) to meet every second month and provide strategic advice to Council.
Thanks for sharing your ideas to make Yarra age-friendly and support our residents aged 50+. We're currently reviewing your feedback and will report back shortly.
About this project
Did you know that almost 27% of Yarra residents are over the age of 50? That’s over 24,000 people who are supported by the actions of Council’s Active and Healthy Ageing Strategy.
Our Active and Healthy Ageing Strategy guides our work to enable people aged 50+ to live well in Yarra. Currently, Council makes a significant investment in supporting older people through:
- senior citizens centres
- community transport
- meal delivery
- home and community care services
- social activities
- recreation facility provision and programs
- support for clubs and organisations
This Strategy is guided by our commitment made in 2016 to making Yarra an Age-Friendly City as part of the Municipal Association of Victoria’s Age-Friendly Victoria Declaration. Age-Friendly Cities are designed to foster opportunities for older people to enjoy social and economic participation, good health and a sense of belonging and contributing.
What are your priorities?
The most recent Active and Healthy Ageing Strategy 2018-24 is expiring next year and must be renewed for another six years to reflect current community need and the changing landscape of aged care.
We are seeking to understand community expectations of Council within this space to inform the development of the new Active and Healthy Ageing Strategy 2024-2030 and Action Plan 2024/26
Key outcomes of the Active and Healthy Strategy 2018-2024 include:
-
-
Upgrading our parks and buildings
Find out more about the Djerring Centre upgradeWe've implemented new footpath lighting and appropriate seating in the Darling Gardens to create an age-friendly environment.
We also refurbished and renamed the Djerring Centre.
-
Making our streets safer
We've constructed level pedestrian crossings on six nominated streets as part of the Local Area Place Making Scheme.
Pedestrian walk detectors known as Puffins have been implemented at certain locations throughout Yarra. Puffins detect any pedestrian present on the road and extend the walk time to accommodate the pedestrians needs. This results in greater responsiveness to the needs of individuals and improves safety.
-
Helping people make new friends
We've continued to provide support to older persons groups, mostly with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, to meet regularly in venues across Yarra through Participation Grants.
-
Introducing new programs
Learn more on Companion Animal Support ProgramWe've developed and introduced client driven initiatives as part of a review of the Willowview Centre’s programs. Successful activities included a bio-diversity program, a computer literacy program, and the establishment of a LGBTIQA+ Social group.
We also recommenced of the Companion Animal Support Program including the recruitment and training of volunteers.
-
Supporting the University of the Third Age
We've continued to support of the University of the Third Age (U3A). The U3A have hosted several community forums as part of Seniors Week that drew upon local academics, Council staff and innovators to discuss innovative ways people can age well.
-
Secured funding for community organisations
Learn more about Launch HousingWe granted $50,000 via Council’s Annual Grants program to Launch Housing in 2019 for the Community Housing Tenants Support Program.
We helped secure additional external funding for the:
- Dementia Alliance Project ($10,000)
- Support for Carers Program ($80,000)
- Seniors Participation Project ($75,000 across two years)
-
Supporting carers
Learn more about the programWe've created our Walks for Carers program, an accessible stroll followed by complimentary morning tea at the Convent Bakery in Abbotsford to foster community and connection amongst carers in Yarra.
