The Positive Ageing Strategy community workshop held on Wednesday 28 November at the Carterton Events Centre was attended by approximately thirty-five participants. Those who attended were representatives of Wairarapa-based organisations and businesses, as well as some individuals, with an interest in shaping the future to meet the needs of our ageing population.
The workshop was hosted by the three Wairarapa councils and run by community engagement facilitator Esther Bukholt. The objectives of the workshop were to gather insight into the challenges faced by older people living in the Wairarapa today, and what the future would look like if these were addressed. The councils are aiming to establish what role they need to play in delivering that future vision and which other organisations they would need to work with to get achieve it.
In groups, the workshop participants focused on the following key areas, which align with the World Health Organisation Age-Friendly Cities:
- Accessibility
- Activities
- Civic participation
- Communication
- Health
- Housing
- Transport
- Public spaces and buildings
In addition, the groups also discussed cultural diversity and elder hub/network, social inclusion and connection, employment and volunteering.
Insights from the workshop will be added to those gathered through the online survey, interviews and focus groups, to inform a joint three councils’ Positive Ageing Strategy and Action Plans.
If you have not yet completed the online survey and wish to do so, the close date has been extended to 31 December 2018.
