Stayin Safe and Active – Longford

Description

The Staying Safe and Active Programme is a community-led initiative designed to support the health, well-being, and personal safety of older adults across County Longford. Developed in response to identified needs around physical inactivity, social isolation, and concerns about personal safety among older people, the programme offers a unique combination of gentle exercise, safety education, and practical self-defence training—all delivered in an inclusive, supportive environment.

Older adults often face complex and interconnected challenges, including declining physical function, increased risk of falls, vulnerability to scams or intimidation, and limited access to safe, appropriate activities. This programme addresses these issues holistically, empowering participants to feel more confident, connected, and capable in their daily lives.

Each 8-week programme block features weekly sessions that blend three key components:

Physical Activity: Exercises are specifically designed to enhance balance, strength, and flexibility—critical factors in fall prevention and mobility. Activities are low-impact and adaptable to various ability levels, supporting participation from those with chronic conditions or limited movement.

Self-Defence and Personal Safety: Simple, age-appropriate self-defence techniques are taught to help older adults develop awareness, assertiveness, and basic protective skills. These sessions focus on prevention and confidence-building rather than confrontation.

Safety Education: Delivered in partnership with local organisations such as An Garda Síochána and the Fire Service, this component includes informative talks on elder abuse, home safety, distraction burglary, scams, fire safety, and accessing local support services. The aim is to equip participants with practical knowledge and resources to stay safe at home and in the community.

Sessions are delivered in accessible, community-based venues across Longford, including libraries and local centres, making it easy for participants to attend. The programme is free of charge, removing financial barriers that might otherwise limit involvement.

Crucially, Staying Safe and Active is committed to inclusion and cultural sensitivity. Active outreach is undertaken to engage older adults from all backgrounds, including members of the Traveller and Roma communities, who may experience additional barriers to participation due to discrimination, mistrust, or lack of culturally appropriate services. Facilitators work closely with local community advocates to ensure the programme is welcoming, relevant, and respectful of diverse needs and experiences.

Feedback from early participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting improvements in balance, confidence, social connection, and overall well-being. Beyond its physical benefits, the programme has become a valuable space for social engagement, peer support, and building trust with local services.

Looking ahead, the long-term goal is to embed Staying Safe and Active within wider health promotion and age-friendly strategies in Longford. Plans include training local champions to sustain delivery, integrating digital resources for home participation, and expanding the programme to reach more communities across the county.

By blending physical activity, empowerment, and education, Staying Safe and Active is helping older adults in Longford live safer, healthier, and more connected lives.

Aim of Initiative

The Staying Safe and Active initiative aims to empower older adults in Longford to lead safer, healthier, and more independent lives through a holistic programme that combines physical activity, safety education, and personal empowerment. The initiative recognises that as people age, they may experience reduced mobility, increased risk of falls, social isolation, and heightened vulnerability to crime, scams, and abuse. These challenges can significantly impact confidence, well-being, and quality of life.

The core aim is to address these issues by providing older adults with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to stay active and safe within their homes and communities. By integrating tailored, low-impact exercise with age-appropriate self-defence training and practical safety education, the programme seeks to reduce the risk of injury, boost confidence, and increase awareness of personal and home security.

Importantly, the initiative also aims to foster social connection and inclusion by creating welcoming, supportive spaces where older people can engage with peers, share experiences, and build trust with local services such as the Gardaí and Fire Service. Outreach efforts will ensure that marginalised groups, including members of the Traveller and Roma communities, are meaningfully included and supported.

Ultimately, the initiative strives to enhance the physical, emotional, and social resilience of older adults across Longford, enabling them to remain active, informed, and connected as they age. Through prevention, empowerment, and inclusion, Staying Safe and Active contributes to healthier ageing and stronger, more supportive communities.

Who is it aimed at

The Staying Safe and Active Programme initiative is aimed at older adults living in County Longford, particularly those who may be at increased risk of physical decline, social isolation, or personal safety concerns. This includes individuals aged 60 and over, as well as those living with chronic health conditions, reduced mobility, or a history of falls.

The programme is also designed to reach older adults from marginalised or underserved communities, with a strong focus on engaging members of the Traveller and Roma populations. These groups may face additional barriers to participation in mainstream health and wellness services due to discrimination, cultural differences, language challenges, or lack of trust in institutions.

By offering a free, community-based programme delivered in accessible, familiar settings, Staying Safe and Active seeks to be inclusive of people with varying levels of fitness, confidence, and experience with exercise or group activities. The initiative welcomes both men and women, individuals living alone or in supported housing, and those seeking opportunities for social connection, education, and increased self-confidence.

In short, the initiative is aimed at empowering all older adults in Longford—regardless of background or ability—to live safer, healthier, and more connected lives.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Inclusive and Culturally Sensitive Engagement – To ensure broad community impact, it is essential to actively engage diverse groups, including marginalised populations such as the Traveller and Roma communities. Success depends on building trust through culturally appropriate outreach, collaborating with community leaders, and delivering the programme in accessible, familiar venues. This step ensures that all older adults feel welcomed, respected, and safe to participate.
2. Integrated, Holistic Programme Design – The strength of the initiative lies in its combination of physical activity, safety education, and self-defence—addressing the physical, emotional, and personal safety needs of older adults. A well-structured programme that adapts to varying ability levels, integrates input from health professionals and community services (e.g., Gardaí, Fire Services), and promotes empowerment is critical to achieving lasting impact on participants’ well-being and confidence.
3. Sustainability Through Local Partnerships and Capacity Building – Long-term success relies on strong partnerships with local organisations such as the Community Safety Partnership, Garda, Libraries and Fire Services. Embedding the initiative into existing age-friendly, health promotion and crime prevention strategies helps secure funding, resources, and policy support for ongoing delivery and expansion.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Engaging Hard-to-Reach Populations – Reaching older adults from marginalised communities—such as Traveller and Roma populations—can be challenging due to mistrust of institutions, cultural differences, and past experiences of exclusion. Overcoming these barriers requires sustained relationship-building, culturally sensitive facilitation, and collaboration with trusted community leaders.
2. Sustaining Long-Term Funding and Resources – While the programme is free to participants, maintaining this model requires ongoing funding for facilitators and possible. Securing consistent financial backing is essential to scale and sustain the programme beyond initial funding cycles.
3. Accessibility and Transportation Barriers – Some older adults may face difficulties attending sessions due to limited transport options, mobility issues, or lack of nearby venues—particularly in rural areas of Longford. Addressing these logistical challenges is critical to ensuring equitable access for all intended participants.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. Improved Physical Confidence – By targeting key physical functions through gentle, tailored exercise, the programme contributes to safer movement and prolonged independence among older adults.
2. Increased Awareness and Preparedness Around Personal and Home Safety – Through safety education and self-defence training, participants gain practical knowledge about issues such as elder abuse, scams, home security, and fire safety. As a result, they feel more empowered to protect themselves, recognise risks, and seek help when needed.
3. Enhanced Social Connection and Community Engagement – The group-based nature of the programme fosters meaningful social interaction, reducing isolation and promoting mental well-being. Participants also build trust with local services (e.g. Gardaí, Fire Services), increasing their willingness to engage with community supports and resources in the future.