Council grows bond with Hainan province Project offers elderly people company during meal times
THE RELATIONSHIP between the Hainan province in China and County Wicklow was further strengthened with the visit last week of a delegation from Hainan University.
Back in July, a Friendship Agreement was signed between Wicklow and Hainan and a delegation from Wicklow County Tourism and Wicklow County Council paid a recent visit to the 2017 Hainan International Tourism Island Carnival Exhibition.
Last week, Professor Wu Yaoting, Party Secretary of the CPC and President of Hainan University, was hosted by Wicklow County Council and Wicklow Tourism along with his team and Zhen Yao of the Dublin Institute of Technology.
Hainan University is an International Education Partner of the DIT School of Hospitality, Management and Tourism and DIT has been working with its Chinese partners for almost 15 years to develop strategic relationships.
The visitors were treated to tours of Powerscourt Estate, Glendalough and Wicklow Gaol and were also hosted at Wicklow County Campus in Rathnew by Fred Verdier of Wicklow County Tourism and Vibeke Delahunt of Wicklow County Campus and the County Wicklow Film Commission.
Leas Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr Pat Vance, also welcomed the guests and spoke of the rich cultural heritage of the Irish, the beauty of Wicklow county, its diverse range of businesses and its renowned film industry.
Cllr Vance hoped the relationship between Hainan and Wicklow would result in ‘cultural and educational exchanges and work placements for young people, especially in the education, tourism, hospitality and forestry sectors.’
He also presented Professor Yu with a plaque inscribed ‘Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí’, meaning ‘Praise the youth and they will flourish.’
The delegation enjoyed an evening meal at Mickey Finn’s Bistro in Redcross as well as a tour of Wicklow Brewery and some live traditional Irish music.
During the visit, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council Frank Curran emphasised the support of the council for the Hospitality and Tourism Initiative between Hainan University and DIT and of its continuing commitment to developing and enriching the growing relationship between Wicklow and Hainan. ‘MEET and Eat’ is a new pilot project that aims to target older adults who are socially isolated, living alone, and in particular those who are vulnerable due to physical, mental or cognitive impairment.
The project is being organised by Wicklow Dementia Support and is open to people living in the Roundwood, Laragh, Ashford and Newtownmountkennedy Areas.
Twelve volunteers are being recruited to assist with the preparation of nutritious meals and providing companionship at mealtime once per week in the older person’s home. Training will be provided for volunteers.
If anyone knows of any vulnerable adults in the target area who would benefit from this intervention or of a suitable volunteer, they shoudl contact Wicklow Dementia Support on 089 4286928 or wicklowds@gmail.com.
Volunteer recruitment and training will take place between now and January with the programme being rolled out in February.
Wicklow Dementia Support assists people with dementia and their family carers in the Garden County and to assist them in maintaining their quality of life.