Brandon’s seniors are being asked for their ideas on how to beef up the city’s role as an “age-friendly” community.
Starting this evening, the City of Brandon is launching a series of free consultations for the city’s senior population to attend and provide their feedback on what policies, programs and services would make it easier for older adults in the community to stay active and healthy.
“Brandon can certainly be proud of its many age-friendly offerings in the areas of outdoors spaces and buildings, housing, transportation, social participation and community support and health services,” Mayor Shari Decter Hirst said.
“However, we must always want to do better, to offer more to all facets of our community’s population.
“Brandon seniors have always been a vital and active part of our community and over the past few years, this segment of the population has grown substantially. If we can tap into that well of experience, common sense, and commitment, it can only benefit the entire community.”
Community groups, organizations and individuals with insight or a vested interest in the health and well-being of Brandon’s senior population are also encouraged to attend the consultations.
Brandon resident Dayle Hughson is on the planning team for the community consultations and notes there is much to be learned from the experiences, both good and bad, of Brandon’s senior population.
“We need to both recognize and utilize the vast experiences and talents of the senior population of Brandon,” she said.
“In doing so, we will improve the quality of life for all of its citizens and will make Brandon a user-friendly city for everyone who lives here.”
City Coun. Jim McCrae (Meadows), who is also helping to plan the consultations as a citizen representative, adds that seniors must not be forgotten as the city plans for Brandon’s future.
“None of us is getting any younger, so it makes a lot of sense to make our community as comfortable, accessible and welcoming as we can for people of all ages,” he said.
The consultations, which are being organized with the help of students from Brandon University’s nursing program, will run throughout October and November at various times and locations in the city.
A report will be compiled based on feedback from the consultations and submitted to the City of Brandon’s operational services division for review and potential followup.
For more information on the Age-Friendly Community initiative, visit agefriendlymanitoba.ca.
» Submitted
SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS
• Tonight, 7 p.m. (Richmond/Green Acres Ward meeting) Riverview Curling Club, 420 Maryland Ave.
• Oct.11, 3 p.m.-4 p.m.: Riverheights Terrace, 4525 Victoria Ave.
• Oct. 18, 3 p.m.-4 p.m.: Seniors for Seniors, 311 Park Ave. East
• Oct. 23, 7 p.m. (Riverview Ward meeting)
East End Community Centre, Corner of Park Street and Victoria Avenue East
• Oct. 25, 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.: Prairie Oasis, 241 Eighth St.
• Nov. 1: Time and location to be announced
• Nov. 8: Time and location to be announced
• Nov. 15, 3 p.m.-4 p.m.: Victoria Landing, 10 Victoria Ave. East
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition October 2, 2012
Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 0 Comments
You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.