Cavan Age Friendly Strategy Launched

On Wednesday 20th July Cavan County Council’s Cavan Age Friendly Programme launched the Cavan Age Friendly Strategy 2022 – 2024.

In launching the strategy, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr John Paul Feeley was joined by Cavan County Council’s Chief Executive and Chair of Cavan Age Friendly Alliance, Tommy Ryan, Chair of Cavan Older People’s Council and Cavan Age Friendly Ambassador, Bob Gilbert, and members of Cavan Age Friendly Alliance, Cavan Older People’s Council, and Elected Members of Cavan County Council.

This is the third Cavan Age Friendly Strategy, which will build on the significant progress made to date in making Cavan an age friendly county; a county where older people lead healthy and active lives, and where they are given opportunities to participate fully in community life while being valued and respected by others.

The strategy contains actions that are specific and targeted towards addressing needs identified in consultation with older people and the achievement of these actions will ultimately bring about changes required to make the physical, social and cultural environments of our county age friendly. 

Launching the strategy, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr John Paul Feeley said, “This strategy is an excellent blueprint for continued age friendly action by all stakeholders, who can build on our shared commitment to making Cavan an Age Friendly County. I also wish to congratulate all the businesses who participated in the Age Friendly Business Recognition Scheme, a forward-thinking initiative, which will make these businesses open and accessible to people of all ages”.

Chief Executive of Cavan County Council and Chair of Cavan Friendly Alliance, Tommy Ryan also welcomed the launch of the strategy and expressed Cavan County Council’s commitment to delivering on the actions outlined therein by working together with all stakeholders in the Cavan Age Friendly Alliance and by continuing to embed the age friendly ethos across the council’s work programme and strategic policies.

Mr Ryan also hailed the efforts of the eighteen businesses who received Age Friendly Business Recognition Charters from the Cathaoirleach on the night: “Each of the actions undertaken by the participants to make their businesses more accessible and usable for older people will assist in meeting the vision of Cavan Age Friendly Alliance to improve the experience for older people in the county,” he said.  

The participating businesses successfully completed the Age Friendly Business Recognition programme, which was delivered by Cavan County Council’s Age Friendly Programme and Local Enterprise Office, Cavan in conjunction with Age Friendly Ireland, Cavan Older People’s Council, Cootehill Chamber, Cavan Chamber, and Virginia Development Association.

Participants undertook age friendly business training with consultant Orlaith Carmody and committed to making three changes to their businesses to make them more age friendly. Each business consulted with their older customers, ensuring their voice was paramount. Age Friendly training is available for businesses all over Ireland to help them understand the needs and requirements of older consumers.

Chair of Cavan Older People’s Council and Cavan’s Age Friendly Ambassador Bob Gilbert said it was “a very important day for Older People in Cavan”. “The launch of Cavan’s third Age Friendly strategy means the collaboration between the county’s older people, Cavan County Council, and partner bodies, which has been ongoing since 2012 will continue, ensuring we will continue to make Cavan a great county in which to grow old. It’s also immensely gratifying to see so many businesses in the county gain recognition as Age Friendly Businesses,” said Mr Gilbert.

Máiréad Cranley, Age Friendly North Regional Manager, said “Older people account for up to 50% of consumer spending. They have the time to shop, they like to shop, they are loyal customers and will come back again and again if businesses make the consumer experience comfortable and pleasant for them. That’s why it’s important for businesses to understand their older customer have different needs and by them making simple changes to their business they are making them feel welcomed and showing they care”.

A total of 41 businesses, located in Cootehill, Virginia, Cavan Town, Ballyconnell, Bawnboy, Bailieborough and Arva, received their Age Friendly Business Recognition status in 2021. The programme was previously delivered to businesses in Cavan and Cootehill in 2015 and 2017, with 19 businesses in Cavan Town and Cootehill achieving their Age Friendly Business status.

Shoppers will recognise Age-Friendly Businesses through the Age Friendly decal sticker, displayed prominently in their windows. Age Friendly Charters will also be visible in their premises.

All of Cavan’s Age Friendly businesses are profiled on the Age Friendly Ireland website www.agefriendlyireland.ie

Download the strategy

Download the Cavan Age Friendly Strategy, 2022-2024 (PDF, 1MB)

Further information on the Cavan Age Friendly programme can be obtained from Deirdre Donnelly, Age Friendly Programme Manager, Cavan County Council, email: ddonnelly@cavancoco.ie, phone: 049 4378300.