Blue Vest Initiative

Description

The Blue Bibs initiative for Cork City came about as a creative response to people’s fears and anxieties about Covid – 19 when out and about. The distinctive vest simply acts as a reminder to passers-by to respect social distance. The idea came about through the Covid 19 Community Response Forum in Mahon just one of the 16 set up by Cork City Council with the HSE and partners in response to the Covid-19 restrictions. Feedback received from people cocooning as they came back out into communities to take exercise etc was that they were very nervous and they felt that people werent giving them enough space so the purpose of the vests is to indicate clearly that the person is asking others to keep their two metre distance. Following a pilot initiative in Mahon and Knocknaheeny blue vests were rolled out with 1000 distributed across the city through various community centres and community groups, with another 250 vests being distributed through the Friendly Call Program.

Aim of Initiative

Who is it aimed at

People with underlying illnesses or simply cocooning.

Steps critical to success

1. Effective advertisement of initiative
2. Adequate funding
3. Community Collaboration with services including Cork Age Friendly

Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Public Participation
2. Distribution
3. Funding

Outcomes / Benefits

1. Ease anxiety in regards to spread of covid 19
2. Got people back out exercising when it was allowed
3. N/A