Social Support Forum

Introduction

Join us at Springvale City Hall on 16 March 2027 for a day of connection, practical learning and fresh ideas for group social activities.

This forum brings together providers from the Eastern and Southern regions to explore rights, risk and aged care reform, how to spot ageism and learn from participant experiences, and share creative approaches to meaningful social support.

The day will provide an interactive, practical and reflective space to consider what is changing, celebrate good ideas in practice, and explore ways to strengthen programs with participants at the centre.

Key Themes

✔ Aged care reform and rights in everyday practice
✔ Dignity of risk, choice and participation
✔ Participant voice, engagement and co-design
✔ Creative, inclusive and low-cost reablement
✔ Intergenerational connections and activities
✔ Emerging technologies and AI in social support
✔ Responding to diverse needs and strengthening workforce skills

What to expect

Participant Voice at the Centre

Following the warm response to last year’s lived experience session, hear directly from people who currently attend or have previously attended social support groups. Discover what works for them, what makes participation meaningful, and what they want providers to understand. Their experiences will help inform the afternoon’s conversations, keeping the voices of participants at the heart of the day.

Rights, Risk and Reform

Explore aged care reform and what rights-based principles mean for group activity providers. Learn about the dignity of risk framework and supporting digital resources, with a focus on enabling choice, inclusion and participation in everyday practice.

Good Ideas in Practice

Explore practical examples and creative approaches to group activities, including supporting people living with Parkinson’s or dementia. Discover how intergenerational activities can move from an initial idea to implementation, bringing people together through shared interests and experiences.

Emerging Technologies and AI in Practice

Discover practical ways artificial intelligence (AI) can support social support programs and workforce capacity. Explore how providers are using AI to streamline administration, develop activity ideas, create promotional content, support event planning, enhance communication, and save valuable staff time. Discuss opportunities, challenges, and considerations for the safe and ethical use of AI within community aged care settings.

World Café Conversations

Join interactive table discussions, choosing from six topics:

✔ Good ideas when funding is restrictive
✔ Creative and low-cost reablement and program ideas
✔ Co-design in practice
✔ Changing and diverse participant needs
✔ Workforce skills, including supporting volunteers
✔ Intergenerational programs

Share what you have tried, explore common challenges, and develop ideas with colleagues. Reflect on how reform and rights-based principles are influencing practice across these topics.

Networking and Shared Reflection

Connect with colleagues throughout the day, exchange experiences, and contribute to shared reflections on priorities for the sector and future Sector Support and Development support.

Who should attend

Program Managers, Team Leaders, Activity Coordinators, Group Facilitators, frontline group activity staff and volunteers.

Why Attend

✔ Discover practical ideas to adapt for your programs
✔ Learn directly from participants and sector colleagues
✔ Explore resources to support dignity of risk and meaningful choice
✔ Share approaches to funding pressures, inclusion and reablement
✔ Learn practical ways AI can support program planning, administration and communication
✔ Build connections across the sector
✔ Contribute to a shared, strengths-based conversation about the future

You will walk away with

Fresh perspectives from participants, practical program ideas, a stronger understanding of rights-based social support, and new peer connections. Take away ideas for strengthening co-design, enabling choice, creating meaningful activities, and using emerging tools such as AI to support planning, communication and service delivery.

Program Highlights

✔ Rights, risk and aged care reform
✔ Dignity of risk framework and digital resources
✔ Participant panel sharing lived experience
✔ Creative approaches to participation and reablement
✔ Intergenerational activities, from concept to implementation
✔ Practical applications of AI in social support settings
✔ Interactive World Café discussions
✔ Shared reflection and priorities for the future
✔ Opportunities for networking

Book your ticket and be part of the conversation!

Program topics and presenters are subject to confirmation.

This forum is brought to you by the Southern and Eastern Metro Sector Support and Development Teams.

Although funding for this forum has been provided by the Australian Government, the material contained herein does not necessarily represent the views or policies of the Australian Government.