Foxrock Age Friendly Business Initiative

Description

Foxrock Area Community and Enterprise (FACE) group are rooted in the Foxrock local and business community. The group carries out a huge amount of work in the area with the aim of improving their community and enhancing the quality of life for all its residents.
Driven by a group of committed volunteers, and involving the entire community in a range of events and initiatives, FACE have been very much to the fore of progressing Age Friendly initiatives in the town. Significant work has been carried out, in conjunction with both the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) Age Friendly Office and other DLRCC departments, to make changes in the village such as providing Age Friendly parking, and footpath repairs. This is part of an ongoing effort to achieve Age Friendly village status for Foxrock.

In 2024 this work resulted in fifteen businesses in Foxrock Village being awarded Age Friendly Charters under the Age Friendly Business Recognition scheme, operated by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County council in conjunction with Age Friendly Ireland. FACE engaged with local enterprises to ensure they were provided with the training and support which allowed them to make changes to their businesses that would enhance the experience of their older customers.

Some of the changes that the participating businesses made included providing a rest chair, making sure all signage is easy to read and in large print, and making sure to give each customer as much time as they need.

The charters were presented at a ceremony which took place in the Gables, Foxrock, one of the participating businesses, in December 2024. Senior representatives of DLRCC, including the Chief Executive and then An Cathaoirleach Councillor Jim O’Leary were in attendance.

Foxrock Area Community and Enterprise provides evidence of what can be achieved when business and community work together, and their Age Friendly Business initiative has delivered positive change by generating a positive, age friendly culture in which older customers are valued.

Aim of Initiative

The aim of the initiative is to maximise participation of businesses based in Foxrock Village in the Age Friendly Business Recognition scheme, and assist them in making changes to their businesses that will improve the experience of older customers

Who is it aimed at

Foxrock Village community, service users & visiting older people

3 Steps critical to success

1. Engagement with older people in the community to establish their needs
2. Cooperation with local authority to assist with delivery of the Age Friendly Business Recognition Programme
3. Engagement with the business community to help implement changes that would improve the experience of older shoppers and service users

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Engaging the businesses of Foxrock Village. This challenge was overcome by direct engagement by members of FACE with local business
2. Getting contacts to provide training directly to businesses. This challenge was overcome by direct engagement by FACE local businesses
3. Ensuring that businesses continue to provide Age Friendly Services to customers. This challenge will be overcome by periodic secret shoppers visiting shops to see if still engaging in Age Friendly practices.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. Training provided to fifteen businesses to assist them to take measures to make their businesses more age friendly
2. Fifteen businesses awarded Age Friendly charters in December 2024
3. Encourages the community to continue to participate in further progressing initiatives to make Foxrock an Age Friendly initiative