The conversation
We developed the Melbourne: A Great Place to Age draft strategic plan to create a more connected community that brings people together in their local neighbourhoods, ensures older people are supported to fully participate and feel valued and respected for their unique life experience.
The draft strategic plan was developed using a demographic analysis, policy scan, literature review and internal engagement. We sought community input on seven key social priorities identified within the plan:
- ageism
- dementia
- elder abuse
- end of life
- life transitions
- loneliness and social isolation
- racism.
Community consultation took place from 11 December 2019 to 31 January 2020.
Gathering insights
Community and other stakeholder engagement involved a variety of online and face-to-face engagement activities. Promotional materials and surveys were translated into the top community languages. Promotional materials were displayed at all community facilities at the City of Melbourne. The engagement was also promoted on social media as well as through networks.
3,795 Melburnians participated in this engagement, via multiple face to face and social media channels. In total, 183 people attended 24 face to face events.
A stakeholder forum was attended by a mix of community leaders, representatives from key organisations and City of Melbourne officers. A total of 60 people attended this forum and shared ideas.
There were four face to face sessions held at community hubs and libraries across the City of Melbourne. A total of 28 people attended these sessions.
Drop in sessions were also provided on four days at three seniors’ neighbourhood centres in the City of Melbourne.
An officer also visited seven groups from the Social Support program to provide assistance and support to clients with higher needs, to complete the survey. Seventy people were participants in these groups.
Pop-up engagement session at Kathleen Syme Library
Feedback we received
89 social media comments
Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter
227 survey responses
169 hard copy, 58 online
2 pop-up feedback sessions
Comments recorded and analysed
2 written submissions
From two groups
What we heard
21% of respondents ranked this social priority as either 1, 2 or 3.
We heard:
- Improve older people’s quality of life.
- Facilitate age-inclusive, accessible and affordable activities.
19% of respondents ranked this social priority as either 1, 2 or 3.
We heard:
- Provide a range of information and support that is easily accessible to older people to help them through life transitions.
17% of respondents ranked this social priority as either 1, 2 or 3.
We heard:
- Provide or facilitate mental and physical support services for those living with dementia and their carers.
- Take measures to make public spaces more dementia-friendly.
14% of respondents ranked this social priority as either 1, 2 or 3.
We heard:
- Ensure more accurate and diverse representations of older people in the public realm.
- Make more opportunities for paid employment and volunteer positions available to older people.
12% of respondents ranked this social priority as either 1, 2 or 3.
We heard:
- Educate older people of their rights, making clear what kind of behaviour is unacceptable.
- Improve the systems for reporting abuse, and guide older people as to how to use it.
11% of respondents ranked this social priority as either 1, 2 or 3.
We heard:
- Make information about end of life matters more readily available to older people.
- Provide mental, physical and emotional support to those impacted.
5% of respondents ranked this social priority as either 1, 2 or 3.
We heard:
- Educate people around racism and facilitate a change in attitude toward people from different cultures.
- Facilitate multicultural events and other initiatives.
We heard:
- Make the city safer and easier to get around.
- Have more support services available to assist older people to stay in their own home for as long as possible.
View the engagement infographic
