Northside Community Services - Working Groups Discussion 10 May 2010

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Breaking Down the WallBarriers to social inclusion amongst older Australians

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Background

Over the past 12 months, Northside Community Service (NCS) has undertaken research aimed at creating a

basis of awareness about various issues affecting social and community participation of older people living

in Inner North Canberra. The participatory action research project involved the recruitment of volunteers

from the age group and training to assist in the research process. Community members surveyed were

asked questions about their current social activities, barriers to access to mainstream services, current

health and wellbeing and desires around social inclusion. The result of this study is a report that examines

the nature of social inclusion among people over 60 years, highlights the key barriers to social inclusion and

explores gaps in services.

The report titled Breaking down the Wall: Barriers to Social Inclusion amongst Older Australians was

presented to key stakeholders and community members on 10 May, 2010. The launch provided an

opportunity for networking and discussion of how the findings can be used to promote social inclusion.

Discussion was organised around six themes identified in the report namely Events & Activities, Information

Technology, Communication, Transport, Retirement and Being Involved. This document contains the results

of the feedback from each of the six group discussions. These ideas will be used to inform future

development by NCS of its social inclusion programs and activities.


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Theme 1

Events and Activities

One theme that emerged from the research was a greater need for community participation and

social networks. Participants in the research identified a need for increased support for the

development of neighbourhood and local community activities that foster social interaction. Ideas

from the discussing this subject:

1. Workshops should focus on practical and useful topics:

Horticulture

Cooking

Home maintenance

Plumbing for women

Car maintenance

2. Offer workshops on a rotational basis so that people have a choice as to when they attend a

workshop that is of interest to them.

3. Offer workshops at a variety of times in the day to allow for peoples use of other essential services

eg. Meals on Wheels.

4. Provide low fee (or free) events and activities.

5. Offer activities that do not require a particular skill or ability level to participate eg. Social activities

that include lunch and entertainment.

6. Utilise existing networks (eg. GPs, Meals on Wheels) to advertise events and activities.

7. Our perspective of suitable events should not be restricted to specific social activities or workshops

but should be extended to include wider community events such as Mothers Day in the Park and

the Seniors Expo.

8. Events and activities should be repeated on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly and annually) so as

to build their branding and recognition.

9. Consider half day/ full day trips out of the local region to allow people to experience a wider array

of events and activities.

10. Physical activities were acknowledged as another important way of getting people involved.

Heartmove, Aqua-aerobics and Mall Walk were examples provided of exercise that suit different

skills and interests. All physical activities should be provided in a supportive and comfortable

environment.

11. Participation in events and activities is influenced by availability of transport and cost.


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Theme 2

Information Technology

The research revealed information technology as an area of concern with people expressing a need for

access to easy-to-understand learning materials and courses on computer usage. Ideas from the group

discussing this subject:

1. Design and offer a computer course specifically for older people.

2. Computer courses should also include what to look for in purchasing a computer with easy

terminology.

3. Promote and inform people about the range of aids for available for people with disabilities (eg.

text size) associated with IT usage.

4. Promote the availability of computers from second hand/recycled distributors.

5. Provide information on how the Internet can be used for general assistance as well as interest

matters. A few examples of the benefits discussed include:

Skype or email to keep in contact with grandchildren and family interstate or overseas The ability to send the one email to numerous family members or friends

Informational/ educational resources ie. Youtube to learn new skills

Bill paying or shopping facilities

Research on interest topics - movies, holidays and general information

6. Offer low cost access for seniors wanting only basic use of the internet.

7. Clubs/meeting groups have internet connections available that could be accessed.

8. Provide education for older people in regards to internet security.

9. Increased IT use should be seen as complimenting, not substituting for, activities that promotesocial inclusion.


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Theme 3

Communication

The issue of communication relates to a stated need for more information on events and activities and

improved access to information on support services. Ideas from the group discussing this subject:

1. Use the opportunity of personal interaction between individual service providers and their clients

to promote activities and events.

2. Networking across wider industries/sectors/fields (such as Health and Education) would enhance

the communication of the availability of services and how to access them.

3. Use a variety of media to inform people of services, events and activities and expand the

distribution network to include public places such as supermarkets, libraries and doctors practices.

4. Promote newly developed groups and activities through established networks such as Rotary, Lions

Club and U3A.

5. Advertise on television and radio. The PRIME and WIN community billboard and radio is free of

charge.

6. NCS should consider hosting an Information Day and invite other community organisations to share

information about their services.

7. Skills learnt through training are another way of improving communication with and between

people eg. courses for seniors that provide training in use of the internet would increase their

access to information about services and activities.


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Theme 4

Transport

The research highlighted a need for increased access to affordable, regular and accessible transport options

for older people. This need relates to the ability to be socially active. Ideas from the group discussing this

subject:

1. Bus stops could be better situated and more user friendly.

2. Fit more buses with a lowering system to allow for easier access.

3. Schedule more disabled bus services.

4. Reduce the safety risks associated with accessing certain bus stops.

5. Improve the location of disability parking spots where entering the parking bay or exiting the car

involves curbs.

6. Have greater consistency between week and weekend bus routes.

7. Display route or bus number on the back of the bus.

8. Government officials should use public transport to see the problems first hand.

9. Access to or the frequency with which people visit venues could be improved by reducing the need

to change buses.

10. Reduce the incidence of changes to bus timetables.

11. Community transport should offer regular bus trips to get to activities & events.

12. Seniors clubs should look to operate their own bus services.


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Theme 5

Retirement Planning

Pre-retirement planning was identified through the research as an important transition point in

preventing the risk of social exclusion in the later years of life. Many participants indicated they

would have appreciated greater access to information about social groups, community

organisations and other forms of support in the retirement planning stage. Ideas from the group

discussing this subject:

1. The frequency of events and activities should take into account the fact that retirees typically have

more free time but are more cost conscious.

2. Social groups should aim to include minimal cost activities such as watching movies and

documentaries or participation in book clubs.

3. Recognise that people have varying levels of need for participation in social activities eg. Some

maybe interested in high levels of participation (daily, weekly, fortnightly) and others may enjoy

the flexibility of participating when they feel like it.

4. Retirees consider participating in a variety of groups across a range of interests as a way ofsocialising and meeting a greater number of people.

5. Groups for retirees could look at including educational aspects by having periodic speakers present

on useful and relevant topics.

6. Agencies should take into account the target group of new or approaching retirees when

promoting services and activities.

7. Community service groups should capitalise on the potential for the skills and experience of willing

new retirees to be used in a voluntary capacity to support programs and activities.


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Theme 6

Being Involved

The research identified an expressed need for better information about (and access to)

opportunities that open the way for those who felt excluded to develop regular contacts to assist

them form social networks and high quality relationships. Ideas from the group discussing this

subject:

1. The buddy system is a useful way of being involved and enables peers to help one another through

the learning of complementary skills or attending a new specific interest group. Matching peers

based on different strengths can be a useful way of people sharing and learning skills. For example,

a person who can use the Internet could be matched with someone who can cook.

2. Where mentoring is being used, careful attention needs to be paid to the mentoring skills of

individuals and the matching of mentors with mentees. Intergenerational mentoring can be useful

but is not always the answer if not matched and managed appropriately.

3. One off community events can be beneficial as they are by invite and there is no ongoing

commitment required.

4. Events could be a way of introducing people to ongoing programs or activities that they may

choose to become involved in.

5. Being involved requires being informed. Involvement first requires the communication of what is

available and information on the steps of how to get involved.

6. Consideration of a different way of being involved could be modelled on the community visitors

scheme through the Australian Red Cross. This scheme involves volunteers visiting residents of

aged care facilities and younger people with a disability on a regular and ongoing basis.

7. For an individual, being involved starts with personal contact at the neighbour, street or

neighbourhood levels. Think global, start local.

Documents

Northside Community Services - Working Groups Discussion 10 May 2010