22/10/21 Age Friendly Recognition for Businesses in Donegal Town

Businesses in Donegal Town receiving their Age Friendly Business Recognition Award together with Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr. Martin McDermott and officials from Donegal County Council

Thirty seven businesses received Age Friendly Recognition Charters from the Leas Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Martin McDermott on Friday 15^th October as part of One Donegal – Social Inclusion Week 2021.

The Age Friendly Business Recognition programme was delivered by Donegal Age Friendly Alliance and the Local Enterprise Office in conjunction with Age Friendly Ireland, Donegal Older Persons Council and Donegal Community Chamber & Business Forum. Donegal Town is the first town in the county to roll out this initiative, with awarding 37 businesses with the Age Friendly Business Recognition award along with over 60 people trained within the area.

Liam Ward, Director of Community and Planning, Donegal County Council congratulated all the participant businesses and noted that each of the three actions that were taken to make their businesses more accessible and usable for older people will assist in meeting the vision of Donegal Age Friendly Alliance to make our county a better place in which to grow older.

Businesses in Donegal Town receiving their Age Friendly Business Recognition Award together with Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr. Martin McDermott and officials from Donegal County Council

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Leas Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Martin McDermott outlined how our population is getting older, and that the stereotype of the frail older person is rightly being consigned to history, as a society we are living longer and healthier lives, and the population of older people is increasing rapidly, there is expected to be over 40,000 people over the age of 65 in County Donegal by 2030, and through the Age Friendly progamme, we are preparing for a future where we can all grow older in a county that is prepared for increased numbers of older people.

Age Friendly Ireland is currently offering training for businesses all over Ireland to help them understand the needs and requirements of older consumers and to develop a response that signals to older people that their business is valued and appreciated. Mairead Cranley Age Friendly North Regional Manager Spoke on behalf of the National Age Friendly Ireland programme commending the Businesses by saying, “Donegal Town businesses have made a clear statement today by having the Age Friendly Recognition Charter award that you are letting your older customer know that you value their custom and you are committed to serving them and after Covid this will help encourage our older people to come back out to their community, knowing it’s a safe comfortable environment ”.

Further information on the Donegal Age Friendly programme can be obtained from: Charles Sweeney, Age Friendly Programme Manager, Donegal County Council

[email protected] 087 9112401

The following businesses received the Age Friendly Business Recognition award