Wexford County Council, as a member of the multi-agency Wexford Age Friendly Alliance, has helped produce the Wexford Age Friendly Strategy, which Mr Paul Kehoe, TD, Minister of State with Responsibility for Defence, launched today at the council’s headquarters.
The Wexford Age Friendly Alliance formed in 2015 and has guided the research, consultation, and formulation of the county strategy. It includes representatives from An Garda Síochána, the Diocese of Ferns, the Church of Ireland, Wexford Chamber of Commerce, Wexford Local Link, Wexford Local Development, Wexford Campus of Carlow IT, the Age Equality Network, Waterford/Wexford ETB, and the HSE.
The strategy follows the World Health Organization’s guidelines for age-friendly counties, which are based on the following themes:
- Outdoor space and buildings
- Transport
- Housing
- Social Participation
- Respect and Social Inclusion
- Civic Participation and Employment
- Communication and Information
- Community Support and Health Services
- Safety and Security
The strategy articulates the views of more than 650 people aged over 55, gathered through public consultations in 27 locations across County Wexford during 2015 and 2016. The consultations captured a wide range of ages and circumstances.
Participants said:
“Have a real say in what happens in our own lives and what happens in the areas in which we live”
“Enjoy good health, good services, and live in a safe environment”
“Participate fully in everything that is going on in our communities, cities and counties.”
An action plan will implement the five-year strategy’s objectives, prioritising short-, medium-, and long-term initiatives to enhance the quality of life of older people in the county. The implementation will use a collaborative, multi-agency approach involving the statutory, voluntary, and community sectors. The goal is to make a difference for older people living in the villages and towns across County Wexford.
The Age Friendly Alliance members will support the strategy and action plan.
The development of the strategy is timely: the Central Statistics Office (CSO) predicts that the number of older people will rise significantly over the coming decades, and that the 65-plus age cohort for the South East will increase from 12.5% of the population in 2011 to 22% in 2031.