Older women make up one of the largest and most overlooked populations experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage on the Central Coast.
Across our region, older women are navigating increasingly complex social, economic, housing, safety and health challenges. While these issues are often discussed separately, the lived experience of older women shows us how deeply connected they are - and how easily older women can become invisible within systems that are not designed around their needs.
On the Central Coast, these challenges are shaped by our region’s unique demographics, service landscape, housing pressures, transport barriers, social isolation, cost-of-living impacts and access to appropriate health and community supports. While significant attention is often given to families, children and younger people, there is an urgent need to come together and ask how we are caring for older women - and what needs to change.
Older Women, Stronger Futures: The Way Forward is a sector and community forum designed to bring this conversation into focus.
The forum will bring together older women, government representatives, local and state stakeholders, community organisations, sector leaders and service providers to build shared awareness, strengthen connection and identify meaningful next steps.
Through lived experience, expert panels, sector discussion and an innovative workshop hosted by the University of Newcastle, the forum will explore:
This is an opportunity to move beyond awareness and into coordinated action. Together, we'll listen, learn and consider how the Central Coast can build a more connected, responsive and compassionate future for older women across our region.
