Healthy Laois and Age Friendly Laois are finalists for the Age Friendly Communication Award at the 2024 National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards.
Their innovative Live Well Project is shortlisted for the “exceptional contribution to making Ireland an outstanding place to grow older.”
Recognised by Age Friendly Ireland, these projects “exemplify best practices” which are both impactful and can inspire similar efforts across the country.
Curated by Age Friendly Ireland, the annual awards celebrate individuals, organisations, and agencies nationwide that are spearheading initiatives to improve the lives of older adults in Ireland.
The 2024 awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 7, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Northwood, Santry, Dublin.
The Awards include eight categories, each aligned with a World Health Organization (WHO) Age Friendly Theme, including awards for:
- Age Friendly Transport;
- Active and Healthy Ageing;
- Business Innovation;
- Safety and Security;
- Communications;
- Environment;
- Community Innovation;
- Housing.
“The shortlisted projects represent the gold standard of innovation and dedication, showcasing how communities are coming together to improve the quality of life for older adults across Ireland,” Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer of the Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service said.
“These initiatives stand out not only for their immediate impact but also for their potential to be replicated across the country.”
Previous winners of the National Age Friendly Awards have included initiatives such as Healthy Islands, Specsavers, and the Dublin City Council Central Area Office.
Healthy Laois described Live Well as an event that “facilitates organisations, service providers and Laois Communities to gather in one place, to communicate and showcase the wide variety of supports services, and programmes that are available to and benefit older people and the communities they live in.”
The event focuses on the social and economic determinants of health which incorporates 108 information stands as well as a programme of talks, demonstrations and free health checks
There will be free refreshments, travel and entry to ensure barriers are reduced and universal accessibility.
“Live Well’s documented core model, with provision for further expansion, can be replicated across the country,” Healthy Laois said.
“2000 attendees gave enormously positive feedback, whilst numerous new ensuing programme collaborations, have ringfenced this event as a core strategic tool in Laois, with leaders Age Friendly Laois and Healthy Laois.”
