Cork County Older People’s Council AGM Celebrates Remarkable Achievements and Welcomes New Leadership

Cork County Older People’s Council (OPC) hosted their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, September 13th, 2023, at the Kingsley Hotel. This event, welcomed over 100 attendees, including distinguished representatives from Age Friendly Ireland, Irish Hospice, Local Link, HSE Community Workers, Cultural Companions, Vodafone Hi Digital, ALONE, and Cork County Libraries.

The AGM commenced with the Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Frank O’Flynn opening the event and highlighting the extraordinary leadership of the outgoing Chair, Liz Maddox. Mayor of the County, Cllr. Frank O’Flynn lauded Liz Maddox for her instrumental role in guiding the Older People’s Council through challenging times, particularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A presentation was made to Liz Maddox by the Mayor of the County, Cllr. Frank O’Flynn and the Chair of the Cork County Council Age Friendly Alliance, Niall Healy, as a token of appreciation for her unwavering dedication and commitment.

Guest speakers shared valuable insights on road safety and advance care planning, fostering an open discussion and workshops aimed at informing the Cork County Age Friendly Strategy 2023-2028.

Following the AGM, a new executive committee was elected to lead the Cork County Older People’s Council. Liz Downes from Mitchelstown assumes the role of Chair, while Eleanor Coughlan from Clonakilty takes on the responsibilities of Vice-Chair, and Christy Roche from Fermoy assumes the role of PRO. Their combined experience and enthusiasm are set to guide the council towards even greater success in the years to come.

The OPC extends a warm welcome to new members, inviting them to join this esteemed council that empowers older adults to play an active role in their communities and ensures their voices are heard. Membership is open to all County Cork residents aged 55 and above and can be easily accessed through the Cork County Council website at www.corkcoco.ie. For additional information, inquiries can be directed to agefriendly@corkcoco.ie.

The Cork County Older People’s Council plays a pivotal role in representing the voices of older citizens within local government. Collaborating closely with Cork County Council’s Age Friendly Programme, the council actively contributes to the creation of age-friendly initiatives throughout the county.

Age Friendly Ireland, a driving force behind this endeavour, promotes a multi-agency, multi-sectoral approach to age-related planning and service provision. It facilitates towns and counties in becoming more inclusive of older people by addressing their expressed concerns and interests across various domains of liveability.

The Cork County Age Friendly Programme, which has been thriving since 2016, continues to grow and flourish. Some notable age-friendly initiatives in Cork County include Age Friendly Libraries, Age-Friendly Towns, the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme, Age-friendly parking spaces, Age Friendly Seats, Age Friendly Local Information Directories, the Mobile Library Service, and the Age Friendly Newsletter.

The OPC AGM served as a platform to celebrate past achievements and usher in a new era of leadership and innovation, embodying the spirit of community and inclusivity.