Safe and Connected

Description

This project was initiated as the Cork County Older Peoples Council had identified a need to engage specifically with the local Community Guard.
The Cork County Age Friendly Programme engaged with Gardai in Mallow who were interested in developing a project that fostered engagement and communication with Older People in line with the Garda Siochana National Older Persons Plan, specifically Objective two; We will increase Garda engagement and accessibility with older persons. Outcome: Older persons feel more engaged with and have more accessibility to Gardaí. This ties in with the Cork County Age Friendly Strategy objectives where An Garda Siochana will use traditional channels of communication to convey information to many older persons (e.g. local and national radio, newspapers, public notices, etc). An Garda Siochana Older Person’s Council and An Garda Siochana will host information clinics in communities, specifically aimed at the needs of older persons.

In developing the project, the benefits of including engagement with the two other emergency services, namely the Fire Service and the National Ambulance Service became apparent. Having the three emergency services in one room to give a presentation and engage with older people and their carers will allow for meaningful discussion and targeted issues to be addressed while giving the services the opportunity to promote the work that they are doing, within their organisations to improve outcomes and make things better for older people who engage with the emergency services. Both the National Ambulance Service and the Cork County Fire Service were very receptive to becoming involved and participating meaningfully with the project.

The banking sector were also included following discussion with An Garda Siochana as they are increasing seeing older people being targeted and victimized through fraud and financial abuse. Engaging with the bank allows for the bank to give pertinent advice on how to stay safe and what to do if a vulnerable person is being taken advantage of financially.

The Healthy Age Friendly Homes programme is also engaging with this event to increase awareness of the programme and to engage with potential participants.

The event is to be held in a local hotel and consideration was given to the accessibility of the room for attendees. Refreshments will also be provided to add a social element to the information morning.

Aim of Initiative

This project is aimed at both Older People and their Carers, and its intent is to allow them the opportunity to explore the supports and services available from the emergency services that might not instantly come to mind.

The aim of this project is three-fold.

1. To offer a forum where older people and their carers can engage meaningfully and beneficially with the emergency services outside an emergency situation.
2. To allow the emergency services the opportunity to promote messages aimed at older people and their carers.
3. To raise awareness of the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme and supports available from the banking sector to customers.

The Emergency Services Engagement Expo is also the opportunity for Older People and Carers to meet in a social setting and enjoy a cup of tea and a chat while learning about supports available to them.

Who is it aimed at

This initiative is aimed at Older People and Carers to encourage non-emergency engagement with the emergency services.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Engagement with and buy in from all agencies involved.

   Engagement with the emergency services, HAFH (Healthy Age Friendly Homes) and the Allied Irish Bank was important in order to identify the message that each wanted to convey to Older People and Carers. It was also important to listen to the Older Peoples Council (OPC) to hear what they wanted to gain from the event.

2. Selection of an appropriate location for the event.

   The selected site needed to be accessible so that people would find it easy to attend the event. The event location also needed to be able to provide refreshments.

3. Engagement with local community groups to spread the word about the event to ensure that there was awareness about the event.

   As well as using the Cork County Council social media channels it was important to engage with community groups in Mallow and the wider catchment area to spread the word of the event.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Finding a date and time at which all agencies and people were available to be present.

   The selection of a date to suit all participants and choosing a time that best suits the older people of Mallow was important.

2. Selecting an appropriate booking mechanism that allowed for accurate prediction of attendees.

   It was decided to ask people to either email or text their interest.

3. Deciding what information to share with attendees.

   This was important to ensure that key messages are taken away and participants aren’t overloaded with information that, while interesting to know, would not be of use on a practical level.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. Promotion of services available to Older People and Carers.

   The emergency services as well as HAFH and the banking sector have the opportunity to promote what their services can do to support older people and carers.

2. Older people and carers learn about services and supports available to them.

   In some instances people that may not be aware of services and supports offered by the emergency services that they can benefit from on a day to day basis.

3. Older people and carers get to engage with relevant services in a low-pressure, non emergency, social setting.

   In almost all instances when people come into contact with the emergency services, it is at a time of stress, upset and upheaval. This event allows people to talk to and get to know their local emergency services staff in a social, no pressure environment.