Live Well- A Health and Wellbeing Information Event

Description

Live-Well opened to the public on 23rd April, in Portlaoise College and was attended by Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer, Age-Friendly Ireland who was welcomed by Laois’s Age Friendly Ambassador, Anna-May McHugh, Managing-Director,National Ploughing Championships and Michael Rainey, CE,Laois County Council. Anna-May emphasised the benefit of Live-Well to the older people in Laois and it’s key role in the heart of the Community. “There’s nothing else like this in Ireland” she said and pronounced to the 2000 attendees that “every county should have one”.
Deeply rooted in community involvement, from planning to delivery,withfresh inspiration and suggestions from a working group ofAge Friendly Alliance The Older People’s Council and Healthy Laois members ensures a range of targeted panel talks, delivered voluntarily by professionals, throughout the day including participants with lived experience all of whom placed Ageing Well in your Community at the heart of their discussions.
Healthy Hub Sessions
•Portlaoise Community Choir sing along
•Make time for your Health with Dr Joe Tierney
•Tips and Tricks for your Mobile Technology -Google
•Keep on Moving with Mr Ian Kelly(Consultant) and Dr Michael Ryan
•Health made Simple. Expert help on Medicines, Wellbeing and exploring Local Health Services
•What Happens if something happens me? Banking, decision support, legal help
•Gardening and Climate Conversation
•Music and Dancing finale
Activity taster session zone with:
•Dance and move class with Maureen
•Activator Poles with Arthritis Ireland
•Be Mindful session
•Chair Pilates
•Go for Life fitness

Play&Create Zone

•Learn to play cards
•Chess for Beginners
•Alternative Photography
•Mindful painting
gift creation
•Mixed mediums in art
•Ceramic creativity
•Texture and colour in art
•Music in art

Ongoing engagement with key organisations and groups such as HSE, Mens Sheds, LOETB, Community Choir and Laois Sports Partnerships by the Age-Friendly Co-ordinator and the Healthy-Laois co-ordinator, ensure key health topics are prioritised and service providers were targeted to provide the core part of the event being a large Expo-style area with over 110 exhibitors providing information in three sections focused on health, community and social supports. New elements such as a pop up learning library provided a soft seating area for one-on-one discussions and allowed Library Services demonstrate the wide range of free services available.

380 Free Health checks were provided by the HSE, Hidden-Hearing and Irish Heart Foundation with 40people sent for follow up. Google continued their collaboration with Live Well and provided roving sessions for attendees to help with mobile-phones and tech-devices whilst nonstop free refreshments ensured attendees could enjoy a fun day whilst accessing the information relevant to their needs.

Live Well is not just a standalone event, it forms part of the Healthy Laois programme here in Laois and the exhibitors many of whom are volunteers are working collectively to form an experience aimed at improving the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of participants and help them age Well. This compliments the work undertaken by Age Friendly Laois who ensure the voices of our older Laois citizens are heard valued and encouraged and plan have already commenced for 2026

Aim of Initiative

The Live-Well Expo initiative was designed to raise awareness of health and wellbeing while showcasing the wide range of services and supports available across County Laois. Its primary goal was to host an inclusive, interactive event that would empower individuals to take control of their wellbeing by
•Improving access to services by providing key information to attendees under one roof, in multiple formats, written, voice and technical, and allowing self selection.
•Eliminate financial and technical barriers, offering free health screenings, highlighting available support and funding options, providing tech support with GOOGLE
•Fostering collaboration among service providers and local communities.
•Ensuring the event was fully Age-friendly and focused on supporting communities in to provide an environment where older people can live with dignity, independence, and a high quality of life. This is achieved by addressing the needs of older adults in various aspects of their lives, including housing, transportation, healthcare, and social participation and this became the overriding focus of the event

The event was also designed to encourage lasting collaborations beyond the day itself, leading to the establishment of pilot Lunch Clubs and digital programs led by Google staff and strengthen connections throughout the year, fostering community links between individuals, groups, and services. This has ensured that our older people are better informed, supported, and empowered to manage their health and wellbeing in a more connected and collaborative way. Ultimately, the initiative has had a lasting impact, making a significant difference in how individuals approach their wellbeing in County Laois.

Who is it aimed at

The primary target sector for the Live Well initiative was individuals aged forty-five and over, while still encouraging participation from all age groups and family members. This approach ensured inclusivity while addressing the unique needs of the older population and future proofing their health. Based on feedback from the 2024 event, the 2025 edition refined its focus, using targeted yet subtle marketing to engage the older cohort without framing the event as exclusively for “older people”—a key insight from attendees who did not identify with that label.
The secondary target group is the volunteers and community groups that provide services to this cohort. As Live Well has evolved, it has been increasingly evident from feedback that the value of networking and sharing experiences at this event has been transformative for groups and organisation in the county and can be evidence by the increasing number of new Womens Sheds for example.
Live Well also promoted early-stage education around ageing, with sessions not only helped individuals understand and navigate their own health journeys, but also encouraged empathy and awareness across generations.

Attendees reported clear benefits, including increased awareness of available supports and services, the formation of valuable connections, and receiving practical advice. Many also described the event as a positive social outlet, helping to combat isolation and strengthen community ties.

By engaging the 45+ demographic in a respectful, empowering, and inclusive way, Live Well effectively supported healthier ageing and built stronger, more informed communities across Laois.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Identify an Age-Friendly Venue,
   The Live Well venue in Portlaoise Collage has been specially selected for its wide, even pathways and corridors, it’s lack of potential hazards for older people, in addition to the large undercover area available to showcase the 110 exhibitors on the day with the largest capacity of any event in Laois. Both car and bicycle parking were available and pathways from the town centre are in good condition. The new Portlaoise town bus service was promoted, and opening times were adjusted to maximise Local Link countywide bus services. A large area was ringfenced for seating, and free refreshments were provided to ensure seniors could rest and recuperate if they tired in addition to seated waiting areas for activities, health checks and within the Expo hall. All events took place on ground floor level to ensure full inclusion and bathrooms were in proximity to the main event areas. Potential pedestrian pinpoints were identified and eliminated with clear signage provided and adequate assistance available on the day. Laois County Council Health and Safety also input into final layout to ensure safety was maximised. In short, the venue was researched thoroughly to ensure nothing could deter the older members of our communities from attending, procured at a sustainable price point whilst placing the event at the heart of the local Community. By trying something new and building a new harmonious working relationship with Portlaoise College, we have been able to create a unique bespoke event with the older person of Laois front and centre, that can be further expanded and is future proofed.
2. Identify and maintain appropriate and age-friendly distribution channels of information.
   Older people like to receive information through traditional print and broadcast media, through the voice, visually and generally in person. Live Well provides a one stop shop to ensure that information on policies, services and issues affecting older people can be given in an effective and accessible manner, through the communication channels they are familiar with and can understand. The information is presented as a large Expo type event in one large exhibition hall, alongside smaller areas with continuous talks and demonstrations and whilst maximizing compact spaces with complimenting spaces used for activity sessions and Health Checks. Exhibitors and guest speakers provide their services free of charge and Live Well in turn offers exhibition spaces free of charge. Attendees do not pay an entrance fee and light refreshments are provided free of charge. The Live Well Expo provides access to information at no cost to the attendee and in a method, they can absorb at their own pace and in their own preferred mediums. This Live Well Event is now the largest standalone health and wellbeing event in the country with the entire day focused on supporting older people in their communities.
3. Dispelling negative preconceptions about ageing and encouraging participation from all members of the older person’s family.
   While respect for the older members of our communities is mostly healthy in Laois, negative preconceptions of ageing still exist and we further refined our target demographic to the older age group, whilst recognising that the event was of merit to those over 45+ as primary information dispensers in families whilst recognising the benefits to having their family members attend. Having a Live Well event in this manner, facilitates intergenerational interactions and helps dispel negative connotations of ageing. Education about ageing took place at Live Well and raised awareness at an early stage on ageing and associated issues for example Menopause. In turn people learn to appreciate their elderly and can futureproof their own families. Attendees reflected that they do not want to go to “an old person event” as they do not see themselves as an old person. Live Well therefore targets over 45’s but much of the marketing is subtlety aimed at the older cohort while not excluding those that are younger to ensure the message is communicated to families and communities in Laois.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Accessibility.
   With the optimal venue came the challenge of encouraging people to a location outside the town, on a ring road, with a small school car park. How would they get there? Accessible and affordable public transport is key to ensuring our County’s elderly population can engage actively with their community and so this year the new town bus was heavily promoted and schedules optimized alongside key Local Link and train routes into Portlaoise. This was a highly successful element of the Live Well expo and enhanced access to the Event which was welcomed by attendees of all ages. When transport is available and adapted to the needs of seniors, both in terms of scheduling and destinations, it enhances mobility and facilitates social participation and a sense of belonging in one’s community and reduces social isolation and loneliness. This turned a challenge into an opportunity to showcase the affordability of transport services, address residents’ perceived safety of public transport services and increased their willingness to use public transport having seen at firsthand how easy the buses were to use.

   Age-friendly driving conditions and parking facilities
   Driving can be an essential transportation option for older people, particularly from more remote residential areas and CSO figures show Laois people have a very high incidence of car use. Three large car park areas were provided utilising adjacent space and these were supervised from early morning until the last attendee departed. In addition, a supervised drop off facility was also provided for older residents and those of differing abilities to ensure a safe driving experience close to the main entrance. The benefits of free parking were promoted and the accessible nature of this venue were maximised.

2. Getting Communities onboard.
   Live-Well is deeply rooted in community involvement from planning to delivery. Fresh inspiration and suggestions came from a working group comprising the Age Friendly Alliance, The Older People’s Council and Healthy Laois Community members in early 2025. This led to targeted panel talks, delivered by professionals but including participants from the community with lived experience and placed community at the heart of the event’s atmosphere and purpose—showcasing initiatives that enrich local life.

   Crucially, the event was co-designed with the community. Feedback from previous years was added through surveys and used to inform the 2025 programme. This ongoing inclusive planning process ensures the event reflects real community needs and priorities.
   Finally, Laois County Council engaged directly with key organisations and groups such as Mens Sheds, LOETB, Community Choir, to solicit honest frank feedback which ensures key health topics were prioritised whilst building new elements to the event such as fun healthy activities with Laois Sports Partnership, a pop up learning library and an adult play and create area The entire event was born with the aim of making Laois a great place to live and grow old in and ensure the older people in Laois have a voice, enjoy good health, and can participate and engage fully in their communities..

3. Maintaining the momentum
   The Live Well event team is comprised of two members and to ensure the smooth running and co-ordination of the event on the day, we again relied upon a solid team of helpers from Laois Volunteers, the Older People’s Forum and Google. This intergenerational mix of volunteers provided the key services and reception on the day whilst also showing the attendees and exhibitors what is possible in the realm of Volunteerism and the benefits to the community.

   The biggest challenge of all was to build on the previous year’s engagement and we did this in two ways:
   Year round collaborative projects with stakeholders during the year ensure Live Well is a cornerstone of interagency partnerships upon which events and programs are built. This benefited our older community through projects such as the Lunch Clubs, but also reinforced and built on the strategic aims and relationships that have evolved and are maintained throughout the year. This shared common ground has ensured frank and open discussions were held about the event with our OPF and external agencies, resulting in new and exciting changes being welcomed and supported.
   Having the ear and the voice of the older person in Laois has provided validation of their lived experience whilst providing a direction and a focus on topics highlighted by our service providers in Laois.

   Live Well has then managed to promote itself as an inclusive social event that encourages older people to participate more in their community’s social, civic, and economic life and celebrates positive and active ageing

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. Connecting voices in our Communities
   Social engagement contributes to seniors’ esteem. Live Well encourages Age-friendly initiatives to involve all seniors in activities where they can remain engaged and feel valued in their communities. Older people should always be consulted on decisions concerning them and feedback has been sought and evaluated from this year’s event which will form the continuum of Live Well 2026. Live Well is an example of recognising that our older people are an asset to the community and has ensured they continue contributing to their communities after retirement and are engaged in the political process by listening to their voices over the last three years.

   Live Well provides an opportunity to empower the older people in our community and invite their participation in the political process through the Age Friendly programme here in Laois. Live Well talks and demonstrations actively encouraged participation in interest groups, provided a forum to voice concerns and views to government officials and be involved in decision-making on issues that impact the community older people live in.

   Staying connected with events, news and activities with timely, accessible, and practical information is a key part of active ageing and empowering and facilitating older people to participate is crucial. Technology can be used to spread information quickly, but also can be a major role player in social exclusion. Providing access to information to seniors in an accessible format whilst being cognisant of the wide range of needs and resources older people have in Laois is at the heart of Live Well and by listening, encouraging participation and connection a key outcome of connecting the older voices in our community was achieved.

2. Health -Addressing the Socio-Economic Effects of Health.
   Healthy Ireland recognises the social and economic effects of health and by joining with Age Friendly ensured a 360-degree provision of health and wellbeing information was on hand at the Event. Health inequities were targeted by ensuring a spread of information providers that crossed all spectrums.
   Attendees reported clear benefits, including increased awareness of available supports and services, the formation of valuable connections, and receiving practical advice. Many also described the event as a positive social outlet, helping to combat isolation and strengthen community ties.

   By engaging the 45+ demographic in a respectful, empowering, and inclusive way, Live Well effectively supported healthier ageing and built stronger, more informed communities across Laois.

3. The Live Well initiative delivered clear, quantifiable benefits across community health, social inclusion, and service collaboration whilst significantly strengthening inter-agency coordination and reducing duplication.
   • Continuing community collaboration with Laois Partnership, Health-Laois Age-Friendly-Laois resulted in the hugely successful pilot Lunch clubs
   • Formation of interagency group targeting Adult Literacy and Health Literacy
   • Cross provision of support and facilities to service users e.g. IWA, PFRC
   • Intercounty collaborative project “an Bosca Beo” , Libraries, Age Friendly, Healthy Laois and Longford, Creative-Ireland.
   • First Womens Shed groups in Laois.
   • Wrap around collaborations continued in 2025 e.g. Laois Traveller Action Group, Healthy-Laois, HSE, Laois Partnership, LOETB, and Library culminated in Traveller Cookbook.
   • 380 Health screenings undertaken in 2025 leading to early identification of health issues and referrals for follow-up care.
   • 5000 attendees over three years.
   • One hundred people from disadvantaged communities and ninety older adults visited Google who one-to-one tech tutoring
   • Increased engagement with LCC resulting in increased applications and approvals for grants across Laois County Council
   • Junior Live-Well hosted with Mountmellick Community School in September and to be repeated in 2025
   Community Choirs