Positive Ageing Week

Positive Ageing Week (PAW) is an Age Action Ireland initiative. The focus is on community based events, organised by groups and individuals throughout Ireland, and national events organised by Age Action and its partners.  

This year a partnership project involving the local authorities of Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford, members of the Older Peoples Council from each of the 5 local authority areas and staff from the HSE in both the South East and Mid West created a virtual positive ageing week.  This project was led by staff from Tipperary County Council. 

The content showcased was streamed live each day via zoom over 3 themes and the information relating to each recording and link to each recording is available here under the heading of our 3 Themes: Health and Wellbeing, Information and Culture and Diversity 

This Regional Action for Positive Ageing has been funded by The Healthy Ireland Fund, supported by the Department of Health and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs

An overview of Healthy Ireland across the counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford is provided by Dr Derval Howley, Head of Service Health and Wellbeing CHO5 

Health and Wellbeing 

Mental Health
Gina Delaney works with Mental Health Ireland as a Development Officer for the South East and also with responsibility for Family Recovery nationally. Gina brings both professional and lived experience of family recovery, and has a passion for supporting wellbeing and recovery from individual, family, community and service perspectives.

Gina Delaney  Development Officer - South East

www.mentalhealthireland.ie

gina@mentalhealthireland.ie  087 835 3925

John McElhinney  Development Officer Clare Limerick North Tipperary

085 8768522 johnmcelhinney@mentalhealthireland.ie 

Healthy Food 
Deirdre Howlin works as a Community Dietician with the Health Promotion Department in the HSE supporting people to eat well at every stage of life. She coordinates the regional Community Nutrition and Cooking programmes and through these programmes support people and their families who want to enhance their cookery skills, learn more about healthy eating and eat well on a budget. 

Useful website: https://www.safefood.net/

Social Prescribing 
Fiona Laffan and Niamh Flavin are coordinators with the Waterford Social Prescribing Service.

  
They  commenced work with the service in Nov 2019 and between us have over 30 years’ experience in the area of community work and supporting individuals who wish to move forward and progress to make positive changes in their lives. They work with people across the county of Waterford and support them to access various services and/or activities in their communities. Our aim is to improve a person’s physical, emotional and mental wellbeing by linking them with sources of support within their community.  

They work with clients over 18 who may be experiencing social isolation, mental health difficulty, long term health condition and social Issue e.g. debt / unemployed / educational needs. They work on a solution focused and needs led approach with the client always at the centre. They see ourselves as the link between the health / community sector and the individual and endeavour to support people every step of the way in their journey

Fiona Laffan - Waterford County Social Prescribing Coordinator
089 491 7360

Niamh Flavin - Waterford City Social Prescribing Coordinator
Sacred Heart Family Resource Centre,
Waterford 
051 306728

www.facebook.com/SacredHeartFamilyResourceCentre 
Twitter: @socialprescribingwaterford 
With thanks to Stella Mackey 

Mindfulness
Teresa Hennessy B.Sc (Env Health) M.A (Health Promotion, Dip (Mindfulness & Positive Psychology) has worked in health promotion in the HSE for 22 years and in the area of positive ageing with Carlow and Kilkenny age friendly county programmes for 10 years. Mindfulness has kept her sane in 2020 and beforehand!

Recommended Books & Websites
Book - Mindfulness: A practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world 
Mark Williams & Danny Penman
APPS - Headspace - Calm

Free meditations are  available  at 
https://www.irishmindfulnessacademy.ie/

Flu Vaccinations 
Lenora Fitzgerald  is a Community Infection Prevention and Control Nurse
Peer Flu Vaccinator and member of the South East Regional Flu Planning Group
 
https://www.hse.ie/flu/ 

Building Resilience in Older People

Dr Denise Rogers BSc P Grad Dip MSc PhD Clin Psych is a Senior Clinical Psychologist with Waterford Wexford Mental Health Services, Southeast Community Healthcare, HSE South. She provides psychological input to the mental health inpatient unit (Department of Psychiatry), University Hospital Waterford and the Waterford Wexford Mental Health Service for People with Intellectual Disabilities (MHID). In addition, Denise provides consultation to Community Mental Health Teams.
 
Denise is passionate about facilitating connection, opportunities, choice and preference so that service users may be supported to maximise their quality of life. She sits on both the Quality Patient Safety, and Reduction of Restraint and Seclusion Committees for the Department of Psychiatry in Waterford Wexford Mental Health Services, in addition to Get Up Get Dressed Get Moving Steering and Education Groups. Having trained across caregroups and worked as a Clinical Psychologist in Child Disability, Community Adult Mental Health and Mental Health Services for Older People, Denise brings wide ranging experience to her current roles.

Denise currently coordinates the delivery of the Needs Led Therapeutic Programme within MHID 24 Hour High Support Community Residences and sees first hand the potential of Creative Arts groups to open the doors of connection and facilitate therapeutic engagement.  

Website www.hse.ie 
With thanks to Vourneen Gleeson & Bernard Prendergast 

Self Management Supports for Long Term Health Conditions
Living Well Programme

Kate O’Connor 
Kate is the Self Management Support Coordinator for Chronic Conditions and is based in the South East Community Healthcare. HSE offices, Lacken. Kilkenny 

If possible please finish the video with www.hse.ie/LivingWell and contact details for Caitriona 087 2939881 SelfManagementSupportsSECH@hse.ie

Catriona Renwick graduated with a diploma in Quality Healthcare from Royal College of Physicians in 2019. Catriona has worked in the HSE for the past 13years between Finance and Health and Wellbeing.

Catriona’s current role is Coordinator and Facilitator and is going on to train in the workplace model and master trainer for the Living Well programme.
selfmanagementsupportsSECH@hse.ie

With thanks to Michael Lane, Martin Treacy, John Whelan 

Information

ALONE
ALONE is a national organisation that strives to enable older people to age at home, safely and securely, for as long as they wish. We work with all older people, including those who are lonely, isolated, frail or ill, homeless, living in poverty, or are facing other difficulties. We provide an integrated system of Support Coordination, Practical Supports, Befriending, a variety of Phone Services, Social Prescribing, Housing with Support, and assistive technology. We use support plans, provide a point of contact for access to health, social care, housing, transport and other arising needs using technology and other services and activities to improve physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. We have nearly 3000 volunteers throughout the Country who conduct and provide practical supports to older people, visits and phone calls, linking older people into social activity and being a companion.  

 
Coronavirus Helpline for Older People 0818 222024 8am to 8pm 
Kilkenny    Telephone: 056 777 2151
Email: hello@alone.ie
Address: ALONE,  St Canice’s Neighbourhood Centre,  Butts Green, Co. Kilkenny.
Carlow

Telephone: 059 913 6340  
Email: hello@alone.ie
Address: ALONE,  St Dympna’s Hospital Complex,  Athy Road, Co. Carlow.

Volunteer Centre

Derek Fanning is the Manager of Tipperary Volunteer Centre and has over a decade of experience partnering with individuals and volunteer involving organisations across County Tipperary.

Tipperary Volunteer Centre is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. Funded by the Government of Ireland the centre is tasked with strengthening and supporting volunteering and volunteer involvement across county Tipperary. Staffed by 3 employees the Centre operates from two full time offices Cashel and Nenagh.

Their core function is to find meaningful volunteer opportunities for individuals wishing to volunteer and to support the volunteer recruitment process for community based not for profit organisations.

In 2019 the Centre facilitated in excess of 30,000 hours of volunteering across county Tipperary. Visit tipperaryvolunteercentre.ie for more details or to get in touch. 

For volunteer Opportunities in Carlow  Kilkenny  and Wexford 

Call 059 9173033 
www.voluneteercarlow.ie 
Tipperary  - Volunteer Centre  Call  062-64775  
volunteertipperary.ie  

Waterford Volunteer Centre  Call 051 840 011
www.volunteerwaterford.ie 

Fair Deal Scheme

Head of Older People Services Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford HSE South East Community Healthcare, Lacken, Dublin Road, Kilkenny

https://www2.hse.ie/services/fair-deal-scheme/contact-a-nursing-homes-support-office.html 
www.hse.ie 

Library Services 
Paul Devane is a Staff Officer Library Service at Clonmel Library. He was worked in public libraries in both Cork and Tipperary for over 15 years.
 
There are 330 public libraries branches and 31 mobile libraries throughout Ireland. Its a free service and users have access to up 12 million books via our national delivery service.
 
Membership also gives you access to a large collection of free online resource including

 

• eBooks and eAudio Books
• eMagazines and eNewspapers
• eCourses and eLanguages

 
The library also provide a wide ranges events for children and adults including storytimes, workshop, craft groups, book clubs, tutorials  and much much more,

https://www.librariesireland.ie/       Email - info@librariesireland.ie 

Email libraryhq@wexfordcoco.ie     https://www.wexfordcoco.ie/libraries 

Email library@waterfordcouncil.ie   http://www.waterfordlibraries.ie 

Email  library@carlowcoco.ie   http://www.carlowlibraries.ie/ 
  
Email  libraries@tipperarycoco.ie   http://www.tipperarylibraries.ie/ 

Email  info@kilkennylibrary.ie    http://www.kilkennylibrary.ie/eng/ 

Citizens Information

The Citizens Information Service provides free, impartial and independent information, advice and assistance to members of the public on all of their rights and entitlements.   We are present in communities all around Ireland and can be contacted by phone, email or by limited appointment where social distancing can be facilitated.

     
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en

Carlow CIC     St. Catherines Community Services Centre, St. Josephs Road, Carlow, R93 T4C6
Phone: 0761 07 5130

Kilkenny CIC     4, The Parade, Kilkenny, R95 V052
Phone: 0761 07 7910

Clonmel CIC   Market Place, Clonmel
Phone: 0761 07 6460
Nenagh CIC 43 Pearse Street, Nenagh
Phone: 0761 07 6470
Roscrea CIC Rosemary Street, Roscrea
Phone: 0761 07 6480
Thurles CIC 2nd Floor, Mall House (Over Ely's Centra), Slievenamon Road, Thurles
Phone: 0761 07 6510
Tipperary CIC Community Centre, St. Michael Street, Tipperary
Phone: 0761 07 6540

Dungarvan CIC     Scanlon's Yard Car Park, Dungarvan, X35 NT68
Phone: 0761 07 6550
Merchants Quay CIC         41 Merchant's Quay, Waterford, X91 YA89
Phone: 0761 07 6560
Waterford CIC         37 Lower Yellow Road, Waterford, X91 C7WT
Phone: 0761 07 6580

Enniscorthy CIC        26 Court Street, Enniscorthy, Y21 C4H6

• Phone: 0761 07 6690

Gorey CIC        Unit 1B The Palms Centre, The Avenue, Gorey, Y25Y5P3

• Phone: 0761 07 6700

Wexford CIC        28 Henrietta Street, Wexford, Y35 XN96

• Phone: 0761 07 6720

Fire Service and Safety at Home

John Hoctor  

John is the Assistant Chief Fire Officer in the Tipperary Fire & Rescue Service

Fire & Rescue Service maintains round the clock emergency cover to protect life and property
Contact the Emergency Services
999 or 112

There is a wide range of information and safety checklists available on their website and you can keep up to date with more information and reminders on their social media platforms: 
Leaflets
Fire safety for older people
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/Community/FireandEmergencyServices/FileDownLoad%2C15486%2Cen.pdf
 
Home fire safety check list – self assessment
Community Smoke Alarm scheme leaflet 
 
How to contact us... 
Please follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ Please follow us on Twitter: @TipperaryFire
 
Should you have any specific queries, please contact Tipperary Fire & Rescue on 076 106 5000 or by email at  fireoff@tipperarycoco.ie   Telephone: 0761 06 5205

Carlow         Carlow County Council     059 91703000 
Twitter @CarlowFRS 
Kilkenny         Kilkenny County Council         056 7794000
•    info@kilkennycoco.ie 
    Twitter @kilkennyfire  
Tipperary          Tipperary County Council     0761 06 5000
•    fireoff@tipperarycoco.ie 
Twitter @tipperaryfire 
Waterford         Waterford County Council  0761 10 20 20 
Fire Safety & Fire Prevention 0761 10 2982
contact@waterfordcouncil.ie
Twitter @WaterfordFire 
Wexford          Wexford County Council  053 919 6000
Fire Safety and Fire Prevention  (053) – 9196585 / 9196586 or 9196306 
firedept@wexfordcoco.ie  
Twitter @wexfordcoco 

Crime Prevention Officers

Tom O’Dwyer Crime Prevention Officers

My name is Tom O’Dwyer. I am a Sergeant based in Thurles Garda Station and I’m the Crime Prevention Officer for the Tipperary Garda Division. If you need advice about your home security, personal security or your business security contact me at Thurles Garda Station 0504 25100.

 
All members of An Garda Síochána promote crime prevention and reduction. However, there are also dedicated Crime Prevention Officers (CPOs) within each Garda Division. These CPOs are trained to encourage, promote and advise on crime prevention to both the private and business community.

Carlow & Kilkenny: Peter McConnon, Carlow Garda Station, 059-9136620 
Tipperary: Tom O'Dwyer, Thurles  Garda Station, 0504-25100
Waterford: Brendan Roche, Waterford Garda Station, 051-305361
Wexford: Brendan Moore, Wexford Garda Station, 053 9165200   

Crime Prevention Officers 
www.garda.ie

https://www.garda.ie/en/Crime-Prevention/Who-is-my-local-Crime-Prevention-Officer-/Crime-Prevention-Officers-Mo-Ta.html 

https://www.garda.ie/en/Crime-Prevention/Securing-your-home 

Age Action
Age  Action mission is to: ‘To achieve fundamental change in the lives of all older people by empowering them to live full lives as actively engaged citizens and to secure their rights to comprehensive high quality services according to their changing needs’.
Our mission statement reflects our commitment to ensuring that our work is aimed at mobilising and supporting older people

Call us 01 475 6989 | Email info@ageaction.ie 
https://www.ageaction.ie/ 

Housing Options 

Noel Hennessey is the Clerk of Works, Building Inspector, with Tipperary County Council. Having being a General Foreman in the Construction Industry he joined Council in 2006.
Noel’s main areas of responsibilities are: Supervising Construction of new Housing Developments, Energy upgrade works and Assessing Applicants for Disabled Person Grants.
Contact No for Council: 0761 06 5000

Carlow County Council https://www.carlow.ie/contact-us/ 
housinggrants@carlowcoco.ie 
0599170300

Kilkenny County Council 
housing@kilkennycoco.ie 
056 779 4000 

Tipperary County Council 
https://www.tipperarycoco.ie/ 
customerservices@tipperarycoco.ie 
0761 065000

Waterford County Council 
contact@waterfordcouncil.ie 
0761 10 20 20

Wexford County Council 
customerservice@wexfordcoco.ie  
053 919 6000

Dementia Awareness

Understand Together is a public support, awareness and information campaign led by HSE, working with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Genio campaign 

Freephone the helpline on 1800 341 341 provided by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland The helpline is open Monday to Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10 am to 4 pm

For any general campaign questions, please get in touch with the following contact: 
Roisin Guiry   Email: Roisin.Guiry@hse.ie  
For any questions on the Understand Together campaign in communities, please get in touch with the following contact: 
Fiona Foley   Email: Fiona.Foley1@hse.ie  
For questions on the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy, please contact the National Dementia Office at dementia.office@hse.ie 
National Dementia Office 

Culture and Diversity 

Drawing Room Opera Company

Drawing Room Opera Company https://www.drawingroomopera.com/ 

Video of recording to follow

Intercultural – Twilight Community Group 

Murty Brennan, Born in Kilkenny. Lived in New Park from birth till marriage. He still remains very active in the resident’s association and senior’s alliance Work brought to other areas of Ireland  England, Europe but always returned to Kilkenny. Chairperson. Twilight Community Group CLG registered Charity. Board Member of the Kilkenny Volunteer Centre
Samual Morgan, Syed Mustafizur Raham, Monika Grodecka, Liviv Lftime & Murty Brennan  give us some insights to the experiences of OlderPeople in other cultures 

Twilight Community Group is established for the promotion integration and social inclusion of communities focusing on the needs of immigrants, ethnic minorities, disadvantage and disability groups, the south east region, incorporating our European connections

Call 086 325 5840  info@twilight.ie    www.twilight.ie 

Storytelling Ray McGrath

Ray McGrath 
Ray McGrath is delighted to be part of Positive Ageing Week. He lives in Co Waterford where the Barrow meets the river Suir and where the Tides flow. Ray is an active member of the Waterford Older People’s Council, chair of Waterford University of the Third Age and a board member of Age Action Ireland.  

He has lived and worked in Canada for one third of his life and says ‘my life seems to be in thirds, One third growing up in Ireland, one third living and learning in Canada and one third back here in Ireland – walking, working and always learning. Ray started the story telling part of his life while sailing around the world as a teacher and junior officer aboard the Polish Square Rigger.