OLDER PEOPLE’S COUNCIL LAUNCHES DRIVE FOR MEMBERS IN COUNTY CORK
Members of the Older People’s Council can raise issues of importance and inform the decision-making process of the Cork County Age Friendly Alliance. Members are also kept up to date on social events, issues of relevance to them and various Age Friendly initiatives.
Successful initiatives to date include securing a dedicated Customer Care number for Eir customers over the age of 65. Chairs from the 31 Older Person’s Councils across the country and Age Friendly Ireland met with Eir and Comreg to negotiate the new facility. ‘Age Friendly Care from Eir’ is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm on 1800 252 252.
The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan said, “Cork County Older People’s Council is making a real difference. It is vital that older people have a role in local decision making and I would encourage new members to join and have their say. The value of being a member was magnified over the last two years and became a lifeline for people during lockdown. The Older People’s Council and the Age Friendly Office kept in contact with members through Zoom, offering online exercise and singing classes as well as providing phone contact when needed. There were also regular emails and even surprise packs through the letterbox which provided a much-needed boost when most needed.”
A new tabletop calendar is being distributed through the network of eight Age Friendly Towns encouraging members of the public to consider joining the Older Peoples Council. The eight Age Friendly towns at present are Kinsale, Bandon, Mitchelstown, Cobh, Bantry, Charleville, Millstreet and Passage West/Monkstown. It is the ambition of Cork County Council that every town will be Age Friendly.
Liz Maddox is Chair of Cork County Older People’s Council, added, “On behalf of our committee, I am delighted to be at our Age Friendly Towns calendar launch. Inside each calendar is an application for membership to the Older People’s Council. If you are a member already, please pass it on to a family member or friend. Check you are still on our list. Enjoy the calendar, which will be distributed by our Age Friendly towns.”
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey, highlighted how, “Cork County Council signed up to the Age Friendly Strategy in 2016 with eight Age Friendly Towns across the county and ambitions to make every town age friendly. This is about improving the quality of life for older people in County Cork. The Cork County Older People’s Council is an essential element of this. There are quarterly meetings where the executive members and wider committee members can raise issues and concerns. These issues are followed up with various stakeholders in the Age Friendly Alliance including the Council, the HSE, Gardai, transport providers and voluntary organisations. We truly want the Older People’s Council to be as inclusive as possible, to reflect the views of all older people right across the county, which is why we’ve launched this membership drive.”
With over 300 members, the Cork County Older People’s Council will always welcome persons who may wish to join. New members can fill in the application form or join online by visiting www.corkcoco.ie Weekly emails will be issued with news, events of interest and information about services available. Email addresses and contact details will not be shared. For more information, email agefriendly@corkcoco.ie