Playful Paradigm (Play Packs)

Description

The Senior Play Packs are part of the KEEP WELL campaign brought to the community with thanks to Healthy Ireland an initiative of the Government of Ireland with funding from the Healthy Ireland Fund and the Sláintecare fund delivered by Pobal. Following on from the successful rollout of 2300 Play Packs in February Cork City Council and Cork & Kerry Community Healthcare HSE co-funded a second round of the Playful Paradigm to develop a further 2000 packs to be distributed to older adults in Summer 2021. This represents another strand of the Council’s focus on Age Friendly centred COVID response. Playful Paradigm is a collaborative group set up by Cork City Council under European Urbact funding in association with Cork Sports Partnership, Cork Healthy Cities, and Community Culture and Placemaking directorate. This was done in collaboration with Community Response Team partners, HSE and Community Gardaí to ensure broadest possible distribution across Cork City. Following consultation with older adults across the city, the play packs were designed to include a range of games, activities, and hobbies including playing cards, a bird feeder, seeds. The play packs also contain helpful information on support services.

Aim of Initiative

Who is it aimed at

Older persons

Steps critical to success

1. Effective advertisement of initiative
2. Adequate funding
3. Community Collaboration with services including Cork Age Friendly

Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Public Participation
2. Distribution
3. Funding

Outcomes / Benefits

1. Promote positive mental well being among cocooning older persons
2. n/a
3. n/a