Age Friendly Waterford to host Inaugural Age Well Expo in Tower Hotel
On Tuesday, May 7th, Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr Joe Conway will officially open Waterford’s Age Well Expo in the Tower Hotel.
This Age Friendly Waterford free event, in association with Healthy Waterford, UPMC Whitfield and Waterford City and County Council, will showcase the services, supports and activities available to older people to lead fulfilling, healthy and active lives.
On the day there will be over 50 exhibition stands including An Garda Síochána, Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB), HSE, SETU Lifelong Learning, ALONE, Waterford Volunteer Centre, Waterford Libraries, Fire Services, Waterford Sports Partnership and Local Link.
There will be numerous speakers including Waterford Integrated Care for Older People (WICOP) who will deliver a presentation on its services, while an older person learner from SETU will share their experience of returning to education.
There will be stands on the range of services provided by Waterford City and County Council. Information will be provided on how to reduce energy costs, housing grants, community engagement initiatives, recreational activities tailored for older adults and much more.
Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr Joe Conway is looking forward to officially opening Waterford’s inaugural Age Well Expo, saying “This multi-agency approach to enhancing the lives of older people is to be welcomed. The stakeholders involved in bringing this expo to Waterford provide a wealth of services and insightful programmes that are specifically engineered to support older people in our communities.”
“Whether its enrolling in a college course, volunteering in the community, learning about energy saving grants, accessible transport facilities, and opportunities for civic and social participation, the Age Well Expo will have something for everyone who strives to age well.”
Michael Walsh, Chair of Age Friendly Alliance, said the Age Well Expo will provide the opportunity for older people to engage with support agencies and service providers on the day. “The premise of this exhibition is to put the needs of Waterford’s older people front and centre. Waterford’s Age Friendly programme has been informed by a positive ageing perspective, with the objective of enhancing and improving the lives of older people throughout Waterford city and county, by giving them a voice in the decision-making processes and equipping communities to become great places, and even lifelong homes, for people of all ages.”
Gwen Daniels, UPMC Whitfield Hospital, General Manager, said UPMC understands the importance of community support services for older members of society. “Waterford has a great network of services for the older members of the community and this event hopes to highlight them and introduce as many people to them as possible. On the day there will be exhibitors offering information and support with security, education, medical and social activities. There will also be guest speakers to help educate and promote wellbeing and inclusion.
“By collectively working together, we hope to unite and support those who have contributed to our city and county throughout their lives. We hope this will be the first of many events of its kind for Waterford.”
Established in January 2014, Age Friendly Ireland coordinates the national Age Friendly Cities and Counties Programme with the first Age Friendly Strategy for Waterford City and County being launched in 2017. The Programme brings together, supports and provides technical guidance to the 31 local-authority-led, multi-agency Age Friendly City and County Programmes in every local authority area.
The Age Well Expo will take place in the Tower Hotel (X91 VXEO) from 1pm to 6pm on Tuesday, May 7th. Along with the information stands and guest speakers, there will be live music and entertainment, and refreshments will be provided.
The event is free, and all are welcome to attend.
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Images – free to use: Andrew McDermott Photography
