Kildare County Council launches new Age Friendly Strategy
Kildare Age Friendly Strategy 2023 – 2027
Official Launch by Minister of State in Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health & Older People, Mary Butler TD
Minister of State in the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health & Older People, Mary Butler TD was guest of honour at the launch of the Kildare Age Friendly Strategy 2023 – 2027 in McAuley Place, Naas today, Thursday 25th May. The Strategy sets out the shared ambitions and goals to ensure the creation of an age-friendly county and one which is a good place to grow old.
The voices of Kildare’s older citizens are central to the new strategy, and throughout its development, to ensure their requirements are met, and the necessary supports and services are delivered, and properly co-ordinated.
Speaking at the launch of Kildare Age Friendly Strategy 2023 – 2027, Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Cllr Fintan Brett said; “I warmly welcome the launch of Kildare's new Age friendly strategy. The presence of the Minister of State at the Dept of Health with responsibility for Mental Health & Older People is indicative of the importance of older people in society today.”
“Older people have a wealth of knowledge and life experience that should be tapped into at every opportunity. The age friendly strategy, I believe, provides that platform.”
Speaking at the official launch, Minister Butler said; “Informed by the voices of older persons across the county, Kildare’s fourth Age Friendly Strategy is ambitious, timely, and opportune. Its guiding principles of supporting social inclusion, embedding age friendly principles, and practising good communication will ensure that the wealth of initiatives to which the Strategy commits support the full participation of all older persons in the life of the community. I commend the leadership provided by Kildare County Council, the Kildare Age Friendly Alliance, and Kildare Older Persons’ Council in the preparation of the Strategy and thank all the partners involved for their invaluable contribution to this important initiative. I look forward to the significant enhancement of supports for Kildare’s older persons which the Strategy promises to deliver.”
Welcoming the new Kildare Age Friendly Strategy, Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council said; “Our vision for our fourth Kildare Age Friendly Strategy is not only to build on our progress to date but to ensure a more socially inclusive approach throughout all age friendly work in the county.”
“As life expectancy increases, the onus is on society to adapt in a manner that provides older people with the physical, social, economic and cultural opportunities to ensure they enjoy the best quality of life.”
Kildare’s Age Friendly Strategy 2023 – 2027 supports ongoing efforts at National and International level including key policies and progammes to support positive and healthy ageing for all. Central to this policy agenda is the National Positive Ageing Strategy. Kildare’s strategy identifies a number of key priority areas:
- Outdoor Spaces & Buildings
- Transportation
- Housing
- Respect & Social Inclusion
- Social Participation
- Communication & Information
- Civic Partnership & Employment
- Community Support & Health Services
In addition to these themes, a number of cross-cutting themes have also been identified, which underpin the action plan and support the strategy in achieving its overall vision of a more inclusive society for older people. They are:
- Supporting Social Inclusion
- Embedding Age Friendly Principles
- Practicing Good Communications
Collaboration has been central to the development of the fourth Kildare Age Friendly Strategy. The development of the strategy brought together local groups and organisations including Kildare County Council, Age Friendly Kildare, Kildare Older Persons Council, Kildare Age Friendly Alliance, as well as ongoing consultation, to ensure the delivery of a robust and representative Kildare Age Friendly Strategy.
The Kildare Age Friendly Strategy 2023 – 2027 can be viewed here – https://kildarecoco.ie/YourCouncil/Publications/Community/
Attendees at the launch in McAuley Place, Naas also had the opportunity to experience ‘Future Tapestry’ a newly commissioned virtual reality artwork which is an artistic response to the current state of sheep farming and wool production in Ireland. Directed and produced by John Conway and written by Aisling Byrne, with visual by NOHO Dublin. The artwork was Commissioned by Kildare County Council Library Service, Climate Action and Age Friendly Co-ordinators and funded by Creative Ireland through the Creativity in Older Age Scheme. The exhibition is available to view 26th & 27th May 10am-4pm in The Luisne Centre, McAuley Place.
