Programme: Age Friendly Demonstrators, Wicklow
WHO Theme: Outdoor Spaces and Buildings
As a world leader in developing technical guidance and adopting a step by step process to meaningfully engage older people in the creation of age-friendly environments, Ireland
has yet again led the way with the launching of an Age Friendly Tourist Destination and Visitor
Experience in Beyond the Trees Avondale in County Wicklow.
Both older people and the environments in which they live are diverse, dynamic and changing. In interaction with each other they hold incredible potential for enabling or constraining Healthy Ageing. Beyond the Trees Avondale is another outstanding example and step taken by Ireland towards developing agefriendly environments for all. By collaborating with the local authority in Wicklow and the Age Friendly shared service, they have created an environment that is optimal for supporting healthy ageing also through tourism, by removing barriers, promoting an active lifestyle,
and anticipating the needs of older people.
The features of this ambitious project in Avondale include age friendly parking, clear signage, an accessible built environment, public transport links, consultation with older people, and a team of people who have a positive attitude towards ageing and want to reach out to older communities to ensure they feel welcome. By investing the time and resources in making Beyond the Trees Avondale fully age friendly, the management and staff are enabling lifelong participation.