ESB Customer Supply supports Positive Ageing Week 2008

Local organisers of this year's Positive Ageing Week knew they had a run-away success on their hands when during the event groups of people at the events started talking about the need to do it again next year!

It was a common response that was also received by many local organising committees throughout the country. "The week surpassed all our expectations," Age Action Chief Executive, Robin Webster commented. "We were blown away by the enthusiasm of local groups who took the week and made it their own. Communities came together in a show of strength and the fact that so many are already talking about next year is very heartening.

"This level of success would not have been possible without the generous support of ESB Customer Supply. Mr Webster said, "The support provided to us with the essential publicity and their sponsorship for the Positive Ageing Week Towns meant we could organise larger events."

This year there were 10 Positive Ageing Week Towns, up from six last year, and there were 600 events, in comparison to 450 in 2007. Events ranged from informative cooking-for-one demonstrations, flower arranging workshops and story telling sessions right through to a Harley Davidson motorbike rally and mystery tours.Highlights in many areas were gala balls, dinner dances and ceilis.

Physical activities were also on the agenda in many places with heritage walks, aerobic classes and pitch and putt contests. Mobile phone training workshops were also staged around the country throughout the week, with large numbers of older people taking part.One of the highlights in Kilkenny was an information conference which was attended by 230 people. The All-Ireland Senior Citizens Conker Championship in Athy received extensive coverage in the local media and everyone who attended had great craic.

Many groups also adopted an environmental theme this year, with CFL bulbs being fitted in older people's homes, daffodil bulbs being distributed to the public and trees being planted."You can judge a week on the enthusiasm of those present and also the reaction of the committee. Those present certainly made their feelings known on how much they enjoyed the week and every event brought new ideas for next year, a great sign, from all the committee members," said Mark Wall, a member of the Athy Positive Ageing Week town committee.

The week was also a wonderful experience for Mountmellick, a first-time Positive Ageing Week town. "It was very positive for Mountmellick to see that so many members of the community took an interest in the activities and we wish to thank all our sponsors and volunteers who helped to make the week such a wonderful success," said Noel O'Toole, chairperson of Mountmellick Active Retirement Group, who organised the events. "Enjoy Positive Ageing Week and, when it's over, think of something else to do to remain active," was what legendary broadcaster Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh advised his audience as he launched the week and the Positive Ageing Week photographic exhibition at ESB's House Number 29 in Fitzwilliam St. He believes that attitudes towards ageing and older people are changing.

While he met many older people working and volunteering as he travelled the country. Mícheál believes more older people would become involved if they were asked to help. "Some people like to step forward and volunteer, but others are also only too willing to help if they are asked," he said.

Speaking at the launch of Positive Ageing Week, Pat Fenlon, General Manager, ESB Customer Supply said, "ESB Customer Supply's support for positive ageing week is an extension of our role in the community. ESB has a presence in every home and community throughout Ireland and actively supports a range of community activities, including sporting, cultural and heritage events. Our staff all over the country take an active role in community and charity events. By adding ESB's support to these initiatives we are responding to the wishes of our customers and returning something to the communities in which we operate".