Knocknacarra Active Retirement Association (KARA)

Description

Knocknacarra Active Retirement Association (KARA) is a voluntary organisation dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults in Knocknacarra, Galway City and the surrounding areas. With a membership exceeding 170 individuals, KARA is committed to combating loneliness and promoting social inclusion through meaningful engagement and social.

KARA’s activities are thoughtfully designed to support the wellbeing of older people and to foster active, fulfilling lifestyles. All activities, events, and excursions are carefully planned and coordinated with these goals in mind.

In recent years, KARA has significantly enhanced its communication systems to ensure that members are actively consulted and that their voices are heard. This inclusive and democratic approach has enabled the organisation to self-organise up to 15 regular activity subgroups, offering a diverse range of programming tailored to the varied interests and needs of its members throughout the year.

Regular activities that take place on a weekly / biweekly / monthly basis include:

– Chair Yoga
– Walking groups
– Line Dancing
– Watercolour painting
– Aqua Aerobics
– Bridge
– Oil Painting
– Indoors Bowls
– Storytelling
– Crafting
– Ukulele Orchestra
– Choir
– Cinema club
– Book clubs
– IT / Computers

These activities are self-organised and often facilitated by a KARA member to minimise costs and to promote independence and social participation. To accommodate members that are not active technology users, organisers will be asked to briefly speak about activities at meetings and provide regular updates to ensure that all members are aware of what is on offer.

Over the past 18 months alone, KARA has successfully organised more than 17 outings and hosted 18 informative talks. These initiatives are collaboratively arranged by the Management and Social Committees, with subgroup leaders overseeing the coordination of ongoing activities.

Outings have included:

– 2 Nights in Abbeyglen House Hotel & tour of Connemara
– Tour of Dáil Eireann
– Visit to Vandeleur Walled Gardens
– Limerick castle & Foynes Flying Boats
– Birr Castle
– Galway Races
– Trip to the Burren
– Corrib Princess River Cruise
– Portumna Castle and Workhouse
– Clare Island
– Visit to Bunratty Castle and Lough Derg
– Bloom Garden Show
– 4 Nights in the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney
– Killrush and Scattery Island

Outings and trips require a huge amount of organising and coordination from the various voluntary committees. KARA arranges for car sharing to minimise travel costs and to include people without access to transport.

To ensure broad participation in decision-making, members are invited to vote on preferred activities and outings via WhatsApp polls. For those who do not use digital platforms, alternative voting opportunities are provided during weekly meetings. The collected data is then analysed to develop a well-rounded calendar of events that is educational, engaging, and enjoyable.

Aim of Initiative

Kara’s aim is to prevent loneliness in older people, enhance social inclusion amongst this cohort and to create opportunities to participate in different activities and enjoy a high standard of physical activity and participation.

Who is it aimed at

People over 50 years.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Volunteers:

   A dedicated management and social / activity committees is required to ensure the coordination of KARA and its many activities, outings and talks. The management committee consists of 12 people, while numerous volunteers are involved in the organisations and coordination of the programme of events.

2. Championing activities:

   A champion for each activity is required to ensure longevity and sustainability. KARA are able to offer ongoing activities include indoor bowls, film screenings, choir and ukulele orchestra to member because volunteers are willing to promote and take responsibility for the continued success of each activity.

3. Communication and Coordination:

   The volunteer Social Committee and activities subcommittee put a huge amount of time and energy into researching and organising activities, outings and speakers that are representative of the areas of interest for members.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. The current venue is not fit for purpose and is not conducive for meeting the needs of older people. KARA is working with local stakeholders to identify a more suitable alternative for meetings.
2. Increasing costs – annual rent and the cost of running the Active Retirement Association are increasing year on year. In an effort to keep costs to older people as low as possible, activities and outings are typically subsidised through grants and fundraising. Members are asked to contribute just €10 per year for running costs.
3. NA

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. Addressing the social and community inclusion need for older adults living in Knocknacarra and the surrounding areas.
2. Involving the voice of the older person in the design of KARA’s annual calendar of events and activities.
3. Enhanced and increased opportunities for social inclusion, education, information sharing and enjoyment. 15 ongoing activities, 17 outings and 18 talks in the past 18 months.