Call for young and old to get involved in Positive Ageing Week

Age Action is calling on the community groups in Wicklow to organise events around the county for Bank of Ireland Positive Ageing Week which takes place between Monday, September 25 and Sunday, October 1.

This is the 15th year of Positive Ageing Week and the theme for 2017 is ‘Back to the Future’ which focuses on getting all generations celebrating ageing in their local community.

Positive Ageing Week will be officially launched at Starbucks in Arklow on Saturday, September 30. The launch will be performed by John Summers of Arklow Community First Responders and the guest speaker will be former Fianna Fáil TD Mary O’Rourke.

Justin Moran, Head of Advocacy and Communications, Age Action said: ‘Age Action’s mission is to make Ireland the best country in which to grow old and Bank of Ireland Positive Ageing Week is a hugely important part of that.’

Age Action is calling on communities to come together and celebrate all aspects of ageing. People can organise whatever they wish, coffee mornings to a Grandparents day at local schools, dancercise or cooking – whatever they think would engage all age groups in their community. Other ideas include board game events, cookery workshops and eco, historial and forest walks.

Maria Coleman, County Manager at Bank of Ireland, which is sponsoring Positive AgeingWeek, said, ‘Bank of Ireland Positive AgeingWeek is a great opportunity for our team nationwide to support this fantastic initiative within their local community and host events promoting positive ageing.’

Events must be registered by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 1. For ideas and information on how to register an event, visit www.ageaction.ie/ how-you-can-help/positive-ageing-week-2017sponsored-bank-ireland, email paw@ageaction. ie or call 01 475 6989.