YORKTON, Sask. — Residents are being encouraged to help make Yorkton more accessible and inclusive by participating in an upcoming Age-Friendly Communities workshop aimed at improving quality of life for older adults.
The workshop will take place Sept. 24 at the Yorkton Public Library from 4 to 8 p.m. and will introduce an updated Age-Friendly Communities manual while guiding participants through interactive activities and future planning discussions. Supper will be provided and registration is available through the City of Yorkton's Parks and Recreation Department.
Lisa Washington, active living co-ordinator with the City of Yorkton, said the workshop is intended to move the initiative from discussion to action by bringing together residents interested in improving accessibility and inclusion in Yorkton.
"The goal is to actually create a community committee that is going to look at how to make Yorkton more inclusive for all ages," Washington said. "But it comes through more of a seniors lens because if seniors can get around easily in the community, everybody can get around easily."
The Age-Friendly Communities initiative focuses on eight pillars, including transportation, housing, social participation, civic engagement, communication, health services and outdoor spaces.
Washington said the committee will explore ways to improve accessibility throughout the city, from walkability and lighting to public spaces and transportation.
"If we're talking about people who use walkers or wheelchairs, then parents with strollers can also get through," she said. "We'll be looking at things like walkability, whether there are enough benches, what lighting is like and other features that make communities easier to navigate."
Organizers hope at least eight people will attend the workshop and help begin forming a committee, though Washington said anyone interested in sharing ideas is welcome to participate.
The initiative comes as Yorkton prepares to launch its new on-demand public transit service, which Washington said aligns closely with age-friendly principles.
All transit vehicles will be wheelchair accessible, and riders will be able to book trips using an app-based system that creates routes based on demand.
"It's going to be very inclusive," Washington said. "I think it'll be much more responsive and allow people to get from point A to point B faster."
She said the new service is expected to improve access for residents living in neighbourhoods that currently have limited transit service and offer greater flexibility for those with mobility challenges.
The workshop is part of broader efforts to support older adults and reduce social isolation in the community. Washington pointed to initiatives such as social prescribing, which helps connect people with community programs, services and social supports that can improve well-being.
She said local Silver Circle gatherings, which focus on lifelong learning and social engagement, also helped inspire another upcoming event.
A Silver Circle Community Expo is planned for Oct. 1, coinciding with National Seniors Day. The event will bring together organizations and service providers to showcase programs and resources available to older adults in Yorkton.
Residents interested in attending the Sept. 24 workshop can register through the City of Yorkton's Parks and Recreation Department.
