New initiative to help residents age well

Inaugural initiative: City of Ballarat residents aged 55 and over are invited to become an age friendly ambassador. Photo: FILE

THE City of Ballarat is looking for people aged 55 and over to help create a more age-friendly city.

The inaugural Age Friendly Ambassador Program was identified as a key action in the Ageing Well in Ballarat Strategy 2022-2026 and will include 12 community members.

The ambassadors will volunteer their time and expertise to collaborate on age-friendly initiatives and advocate for the needs and interests of older residents.

Mentoring and learning opportunities will be provided to build or refine ambassadors’ skills in areas such as public speaking and community engagement.

“The Age Friendly Ambassador Program is a vital step toward making Ballarat an age friendly city, a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive place for people of all ages,” deputy-mayor Cr Ben Taylor said.

“We know there are so many people in Ballarat with vast arrays of knowledge and experience that could contribute to making Ballarat a better place.”

The role of ambassadors will include connecting older residents to resources, providing insights to the City of Ballarat, and contributing to events like the Ballarat Seniors Festival.

Expressions of interest are open until Wednesday 30 April at bit.ly/4jwK0Sa or by collecting a hard copy form from the Phoenix Building or Ballarat Libraries.