Castlefen Housing Estate

Description

Residents realised their friends and neighbours were fast approaching old age. As a result, they decided to be pro-active and put some measures in place to make Castlefen a more age friendly estate. With the assistance of our Community Worker and the Kildare Age Friendly Programme we set out on a journey to become one of the first age friendly estates in Ireland. We realised that we are all growing older at the same time, and they wanted to future proof Castlefen to be Age-Friendly. They are very proud of the progress they are making in all areas and they are doing their best to provide positive experiences for everyone within our estate. The residents of Castlefen Housing Estate, Sallins became aware of the need to improve the lives of their neighbours who are of advancing years by making their public realm more accessible for them. They want older residents to be able to move around freely within their estate and to feel confident and safe in their community. Starting with footpaths, walkways and age friendly parking, they wanted Castlefen to be more user friendly. It was important to make the community centre more physically accessible whilst also providing more features to create a comfortable environment. They are striving to make the experience for older people as inclusive as possible both in their public realm and in terms of social participation by including older people in all their social events.
Castlefen Community Group in association with Kildare Age Friendly Alliance and Kildare County Council aim to become one of Ireland’s first Age-Friendly Estates. Kildare Age Friendly Alliance agreed that a walkability audit should take place in Castlefen. With support from the Community Worker from Kildare County Council, a core group of residents started to engage with the local community.
They undertook a walkability audit of the estate to identify the positive features and issues to improve in July 2019. Participants included the Kildare Age Friendly Programme Manager, residents of the estate, the Community Worker for Castlefen, a member of the Gardai, a representative of Tuath Housing Association. The group walked the entire estate and observed and identified physical barriers to the older residents to walk freely around their neighbourhood. Older residents, with varying degrees of mobility, participated fully with the audit. The walkability audit pinpointed small deliberate design changes that were required, with the needs of older people in mind. These changes helped older people to get out and about, assisted in keeping them active and therefore greatly improved older people’s lives. Small interventions can collectively add to an area’s age-friendliness over a period.

Aim of Initiative

The aim of this initiative was to create a safer estate, one with decreased anti social behaviour and one that valued ageing in place. some of the actions delivered under this plan included the following:
1 The entrance was very busy and car-orientated. It needed to be made safer for pedestrians, cyclist, and other road users and in particular mobility aid users. This action resulted in speed bumps and dish kerbing to improve safety and accessibility
2. The community identified localised poor areas of footpaths. Re-surfacing was completed to address problem areas, leading to a continuous accessible route through the estate
3. Car parking in the estate was problematic, with inconsiderate choices by some residents impacting on older residents and people with disabilities. The committee launched an awareness campaign about road safety and the need for accessibility
4. A number of dedicated Age Friendly Parking Bays were installed to create safer locations for older residents to park near to their homes.
5.The existing public lighting at the back of the estate was considered insufficiently bright with potential to facilitate anti-social behaviour. The action was to upgrade and improve the lighting in the area
6. The development of an Age Friendly Garden with new planting and accessibility works. This garden space has considerable goodwill and engagement and is a
good example of how small interventions can help develop community spirit.
7. Age Friendly seating

Who is it aimed at

This initiative was aimed at not only residents but also the wider community. The emphasis on Castlefen becoming an Age Friendly Estate is based on public participation and the integration of the community, focusing community spirit to drive the project. This project is not only aimed at residents but the wider sallins community. This initiative has now spread to other local authority estates in the county. our seniors have inspired us to dream bigger. Their stories of resilience and perseverance have led us to ensure that Castlefen is a place where intergenerational connections are made.

Castlefen Age Friendly Estate is a shining example of how a simple conversation can lead to transformative change. What began as a casual discussion among neighbours soon sparked a community-wide effort to make our estate safer, more accessible and more inclusive of all residents, particularly our senior members

3 Steps critical to success

1. community Engagement – Valued community consultation not tokenism ensuring understanding of Age Friendly and community development practices and principles.
2. Complete Walkability Audit and prepare a report with short, medium and long term goals
3. Ensure delivery of key items identified – Ongoing evaluation and ensure the community are given the opportunity to enjoy the success of their efforts.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. The level of anti social behaviour and reputation of the estate – Since introducing the concept of Age Friendly and involving all ages through intergenerational involvement we have seen a drastic reduction in ASB within the estate
2. The length of time the process took with covid etc we had significant delays so it was different to continue to create by-in and ensure momentum continued for the residents
3. Funding – Ensuring the works identified would be completed and that residents were not let that. This had to be actionable and not another plan on a shelf

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. With the support of a Kildare County Council community worker, Castlefen embarked on a programme of work to improve the environment, the housing provision and the community supports for older people, making the estate more Age Friendly and inclusive for all generations. The community undertook this body of work because they recognised the diverse needs of older people who reside in the social housing estate. The estate had a lot of anti social behaviour which has now decreased as a result of this initiative. If you involve the young people in the process and create that sense of inter-generational project in the estate, it has a lasting impact.
2. The process commenced in 2019 with a walkability audit, where older residents identified issues with the estate that could be improved with public realm works. A programme of work was delivered over a number of years, supported by members of the Kildare Age Friendly Alliance, including the Local Authority, An Garda Síochána, the Education and Training Board, Tuath Housing and other groups.
3. Key changes as a result of the process were:
   • Installation of speed bumps and dished kerbs at entrance to the estate to improve safety and accessibility
   • Re-surfacing of footpaths to create a continuous accessible route
   • Awareness campaign targeting inconsiderate car parking
   • Installation of a number of dedicated Age Friendly Parking Bays
   • Upgrading of public lighting to improve residents’ feelings of safety
   • Re-design of the walkway and installation of outdoor gym equipment to create a new focal point for the community
   • New Age Friendly Housing was developed, integrated into the existing mature housing. This is an infill development of 29 new units for Tuath Housing, designed by Van Dijk Architects who have considerable expertise in designing housing for ageing communities.
   • The development of an Age Friendly Garden with new planting and accessibility works. This garden space has considerable goodwill and engagement and is a good example of how small interventions can help develop community spirit.
   • Accessibility works were completed in the community centre, including the provision of more suitable chairs.
   • Integration of Age Friendly features such as planting, seating and car parking with the new housing development.
   • Public seating was installed in outdoor locations – with Age Friendly features such as arm rests and backrests at a suitable height for older people and in good locations.
   • The community centre now has a particular focus on the needs of older people, including them in events and making sure all information is accessible.
   • Newsletter, welfare checks and age friendly food hampers were provided during the pandemic and have been sustained, along with community supports such as help with form filling.
   • A range of supports and services for young people is also provided on-site including a youth choir, youth service, afterschool clubs and summer projects.