FAQ
Currently in a population of 13,000 people, 24% are over 65. Predicted that by 2030 that will increase to 42%!!
Ready for Living is a community-led project, facilitated by Gore District Council, currently funded by P H Vickery Trust, with previous funding from MBIE (Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment), Community Networking Trust, Mataura Licensing Trust and Community Trust South. The project was launched in 2018 to understand local perceptions of ageing and retirement, and put strategies in place to ensure ensure the vitality and sustainability of Eastern Southland into the future.
Supporting success for later life.
The Gore District is an intergenerational community. There is active promotion of interaction and cooperation between people regardless of age and life stage, and a focus on the needs of all residents both today and beyond.
Our vision is to create an age-friendly community in which our older people are valued, respected, and empowered to live fulfilling lives in a supportive and inclusive environment, so they can maintain their independence, self-esteem, and dignity as they age.
The Ready for Living strategy focuses on those living in the Gore District however, there is a wider community of interest who live outside of the Gore District boundary. The strategy aims to create an inclusive and supportive community for older people, prioritising their needs and preferences. With a higher median age than the national average and a projected increase in the older population, there is a pressing need to develop an age-friendly community that enables aging in place, maintains independence, and encourages engagement. The strategy's priorities, based on insights from workshops and relevant information, address challenges such as healthcare access, social isolation, affordable housing, financial security, transportation, age discrimination, health issues, caregiver burden, digital divide, and support systems, focusing on housing, employment, volunteerism, health and wellbeing, information and communication, recreation and outdoors, mobility and accessibility, social change, and safety.
At any time you can contact our Project Lead Roxy van Zyl. Roxy can add you to the database of people keen to be involved in initiatives or projects that Ready for Living need community input for.
Roxy has contacts with many organisations looking for volunteers, if this is something you are interested in, she will be able to point you in the right direction.
Contact Roxy on 021 198 0480 or readyforliving@goredc.govt.nz