Fingal has announced media personality and communications expert Terry Prone as its new Age Friendly Ambassador. This will see her raise awareness of age friendly practices in Fingal and nationally.
Terry brings extensive experience to the role, along with a passion for standing up for issues facing society. She has a long-standing commitment to effective communication, making her a valuable advocate for inclusive community policies. As Chair of the Communications Clinic and a frequent contributor to TV and radio, Terry has a profound understanding of strategic communication, media relations, and crisis management. Her skills in conveying clear, impactful messages will greatly benefit initiatives aimed at promoting age-friendly environments.
Commenting on her appointment, the Portrane resident said: “I was honoured to be asked to represent the Age Friendly Programme on behalf of the people of Fingal. There are always going to be some challenges posed by demographic changes, which is why it’s essential that we look to create age-friendly communities that are inclusive and cohesive. Anything I can do to help change society’s attitudes to a what is a growing and vitally important group, I will.”
Since its inception Age Friendly Ireland, a shared service of local government, has worked not only to champion the needs of older people, but to educate and inform the wider population on the pressing need to adjust our environment and our attitudes to cater for a hugely growing demographic.
Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly said: “We are delighted that someone with the wealth of experience and expertise like Terry has agreed to take up the role of Age Friendly Ambassador for Fingal. The county will benefit hugely from her involvement and the insights she will bring to the role. We look forward to working with her to ensure we are delivering positive outcomes in the community and that we’re doing as much as possible to change – and challenge – attitudes around ageing.”
Efforts to create age-friendly environments are increasing worldwide, aiming to accommodate the growing aging population and enhance their quality of life. The World Health Organization (WHO) leads significant initiatives in this area, focusing on improving both the physical and social environments to support healthy ageing. Actions include promoting health, enhancing accessibility, ensuring safety, and fostering social inclusion to enable older people to remain active and engaged in their communities.
Terry is a prolific author with 29 published works, including critically acclaimed novels, a collection of short stories, and practical guidebooks. She has written for major publications such as The Irish Times and The Guardian and maintains a weekly column in The Irish Examiner. A regular on radio and TV since the age of 11, Terry is often seen on networks like the BBC and NBC. Additionally, she is a speechwriter for industry leaders, government ministers, and European Commissioners.
To find out more on the Age Friendly Programme in Fingal go to: https://www.fingal.ie/age-friendly-fingal
