Carlow Older People’s Council (OPC) Information Hub

Description

The Carlow Older People’s Council Information Hub was created in direct response to feedback from older residents who reported difficulty accessing reliable, relevant, and easy-to-understand information about local and national services. With the support of Carlow Community Development Partnership, Carlow County Council, and HSE partners, the Carlow OPC led the development of a user-focused hub to address this need.
The Hub is a central drop in centre and gathering point for groups and it provides practical information on a range of topics, including public transport, housing supports, health and wellbeing services, community groups, legal and financial advice, and volunteering opportunities. We are in the process of developing a printed booklet format (distributed via libraries, community centres, GP surgeries, and local authority offices) and as an accessible online resource.
Older people were centrally involved in shaping the design, language, layout, and content of the Hub through the OPC Executive Committee, ensuring that the centre is fit for purpose. Activites are reviewed and monitored by the OPC Exec Committee. The Hub hosts a variety of Age Friendly activites and services including: the Dementia Cabin Cafe, Elderflower Garden Club, Tech Support Service Drop In, Drop In Service for assistance with grants and accessing resources, and a specific services for supporting older people with Sustainability and accessing grants for house refits. The Hub is supported by a newly developed monthly newsletter. The Hub sub group the Elderflower Gardnen Club was recently awarded a Pride of Place Award.
We are proposing that the Hub has been could be developed as a model of good practice for local age-friendly communication. Its impact is evident not only in the increased awareness and uptake of services by older people but also in the empowerment and engagement it fosters and the provision of a gathering and social space.
The OPC Information Hub supports the Age Friendly Strategy’s goals of promoting active ageing, reducing isolation, and enhancing access to services. It is a living resource that continues to evolve based on the needs and voices of older Carlow citizens.

Aim of Initiative

The aim of the Carlow OPC Information Hub is to improve access to essential information for older people in County Carlow, thereby enhancing their ability to live independently, remain informed, and participate fully in their community.
The initiative seeks to:
• Address information gaps by providing accurate, relevant, and clearly presented material.
• Ensure inclusivity by offering both digital and hard-copy versions.
• Empower older people to access services, supports, and opportunities that improve their wellbeing and social inclusion.
• Support age-friendly goals by making information dissemination a collaborative, community-driven process.

Also and perhaps the most important aim is in response to addressing the need that older people have expressed to meet socially and have an opportunity to talk to someone in person who will link to services, supports and resources locally.

Who is it aimed at

Older people in County Carlow, particularly those who may face barriers due to isolation, digital exclusion, or lack of awareness about available services.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Step 1:
   Conducted consultation workshops with older people through the OPC to identify key information needs and preferred formats.
2. Step 2:
   Secured a building and secured funding to erect a cabin to extend usable area. Designed and developed the Hub with user-friendly content and layout, ensuring accessibility and clarity. Developed programme of activites, sub group events, and services to attract people to the Hub
3. Step 3:
   Distributed information on the Hub across the county and promoted it through community networks and events.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. 1. Digital divide: Ensuring offline users had equal access – the Hub is a direct response to the digital divide by providing a sapce and location that people can meet in person but there are many challenges with the rent and operation of a faciliting/building such as costs and maintenance and volunteers to operate etc.
2. 2. Keeping services, groups and content up to date requires ongoing coordination with service providers.
3. 3. Resource limitations: Managing volunteer time and project scale within budget constraints.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. 1. Increased awareness of services and supports among older residents.
2. 2. Enhanced confidence and independence in navigating health, social, and civic resources, including the set up and establishment of a number of on-going sub group activites and resources that continue to operate onsite such as:
   1. Carlow Dementia Cabin Cafe
   2. Elderflower Garden Club
   3. Information Drop In Sessions
   4. Tech Support Drop In Sessions
   5. Chair Yoga for Older People
   6. Environment and Sustainability Grant Support Drop In Sessions
   7. Venue for OPC Executive Gatherings
3. 3. Strengthened community engagement, with OPC members playing a leading role in co-creation and delivery.