Oktyabrskiy began its age-friendly initiative in 2011. An Advisory Board was elected in Oktyabrskiy municipality in April 2012, comprising of the city administration, NGO representatives and mass media. After consultations conducted with older residents, we have drawn up our action plan for 2012-2016. Our goals are to ensure an accessible environment for the elderly in the city, to create favourable conditions for active ageing, and to develop a senior volunteering movement.

Key accomplishments to date are the participation of our municipality in the Republican Projects, such as Social Tourism, the Third Age Universities, Accessible Environment to make the city more comfortable for the elderly and the disabled to live and move, and the Social Taxi Service. We organise parties, concerts, contests and sport competitions for the elderly. They can also go to various clubs according to their interests, such as choirs, veteran’s organizations, etc. We also hold a “Spring Week of kindness” with the help of volunteers. In addition, we honour the elderly people aged 90 and above by giving them small presents and money on their anniversaries. Our pensioners have free subscription to local newspapers to help them stay in touch with the community’s happenings.