Hepburn Shire gives the gift of conversation
hello • 15 June 2021
The Hepburn Shire Council, in collaboration with Central Highlands Rural Health, are giving the gift of conversation, to older Australians in their community.
The R U OK? Your Natter Matters resources, including Conversation Cards, Bingo and Poster Series, will be widely shared amongst older community members, as both organisations proudly champion the campaign.
The Hepburn Shire, located in Central Victoria, has a population of 16,157, with a median age of over 50 years. The R U OK? Your Natter Matters resources
have been identified as an innovative tool to engage with older Australians who may not already be aware of the R U OK? message. Research has found people engaged with the R U OK? campaign are up to six times more likely to reach out to someone who might be troubled. However, those aged 65 and older are currently less likely to have engaged with the R U OK? message.
Bradley Thomas, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Hepburn Shire Council, believes it is a great way to support mental health and well-being in a really practical and hands on way.
“With lots of active senior citizens and retirees who volunteer across myriad organisations within the community, we have an opportunity to make sure they are all doing OK and ask them the question ‘are you OK?’ whilst educating them about the signs to look out for in those around them, who may not be doing as well. Council is currently commencing work on a Positive Ageing Strategy that will align with the messages from the R U OK? Your Natter Matters campaign.”
“We plan to use the R U OK? Your Natter Matters resources over the next six to twelve months as a way to really engage with our residents in the over 50 age bracket,” said Mr Thomas.
“We look forward to partnering with Council and being able to provide localised resources that encourage community engagement and conversation,” says Belinda Buck, Manager Population Health, Central Highlands Rural Health. “Coming out of COVID we are finding many people disconnected from others, so it is vital that we encourage social connection and check in to ask ‘are you OK?’.
“Resources like Your Natter Matters can help to achieve this by starting conversations that look to build more connected and supportive communities.”
Partnering with neighbourhood centres and the positive aging groups in local towns will see Hepburn Shire develop relationships through the provision of these resources and sharing the R U OK? Your Natter Matters message.
“We are proud to champion Your Natter Matters, and thank R U OK? for delivering such great materials to enable us to connect on an even deeper level with these valued members of our own community,” said Mr Thomas.
You can access the Your Natter Matters resources here.
If you'd like to champion the resources in your community contact R U OK? here.
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