4.6 per cent of the community requires assistance with core activities, this represents 241 people.

The number of people requiring assistance with core activities has fluctuated over time. In 2011, 160 people required assistance compared to 150 in 2016 and 241 in 2021. This represents a 50.6 per cent increase in the proportion of the community that needed assistance between 2021 and 2011.

In addition, the number of people that have 'not stated' need for assistance has decreased over time from 5 per cent (212 people) in 2011 to 10.5 per cent (536 people) in 2016 and 5.7 per cent or 300 people in 2021.

The largest proportion of people that required assistance with core activities in 2021 were those aged 5-14 years, making up almost a third of people needing support at 28.2 per cent (68 people). The proportion of people needing assistance in this age bracket increased by a staggering 466 per cent between 2011 and 2021, which is the largest increase across all age brackets. The number of people in this bracket needing assistance increased from 12 in 2011 to 24 in 2016 and 68 in 2021.

The second largest increase was also seen in younger people, the number of people aged 15-19 needing assistance increased from zero in 2011 (0 per cent of those needing assistance) to four (three per cent of those needing assistance), jumping to 18 people or 7.5 per cent in 2021.

The largest decreases were seen in those aged 75-84 and 85 years and older. The proportion of those aged 75-84 decreased from 28.8 per cent of those needing assistance in 2011, to 17 per cent in 2016 to 11.2 per cent in 2021. This is a decrease of 19 people between 2021 and 2011, or 41 per cent.

The second largest decrease was seen in those aged 85 and older, the number of people in this age bracket needing assistance decreased from 37 in 2011 to 2021, representing a decrease of 51 per cent of those needing assistance.

There are 432 people providing unpaid assistance to a person with a disability, health condition or due to old age within Calliope. There has been an increase of 185 people providing unpaid assistance between 2011 and 2021, or 74.8 per cent increase.

The largest proportion of people providing support is those aged 35-44, representing 25.9 per cent of those proving support, which equates to 112 people. The proportion of people in this age bracket providing unpaid assistance has increase by 173 per cent between 2011 and 2021.

The number of people aged 55 over providing unpaid assistance between 2011 and 2021 has increased from 66 to 148, which is an increase of 82 people or 84.4 per cent.

Considerations:

• The age of the population needing support is increasing as is the age of those providing support. Consideration needs to be given to the types of services, programs and activities that are needed, as well as the accessibility requirements that promote inclusion and lifestyle.
• There is a sizeable increase in the number of younger people needing assistance with core activities and an increase in parent age people providing unpaid assistance. Consideration need to be given to specialised service, support and access to venues, parks programs and infrastructure, and events.