Breaking Down the Wall

Barriers to social inclusion amongst older Australians

Ideas from
from the Social Inclusion Forum
Forum
Northside Community Service
Majura Hall
10 May
May 2010

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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 people’s 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. GP’s, 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 promote
social 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. Senior’s 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 of

socialising 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 visitor’s
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.