Wicklow County Council, in partnership with Age Friendly Ireland, delivered Age Friendly Housing and Public Realm Training on Wednesday 11th February at County Buildings, Wicklow Town. This training forms part of the national programme supporting local authorities to embed age friendly principles into housing delivery, planning, and public realm design.

The training, which ran from 10am until 1.15pm, brought together staff from housing, planning, engineering, architecture, community development and other key service areas whose work shapes the built environment for older people.

The session opened with an address from Emer O’Gorman, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council who emphasised the importance of designing communities where people can age well, live safely, and remain connected.

This National Training Programme provides comprehensive guidance on Age Friendly Housing and Public Realm design, grounded in universal design principles, national policy, and extensive consultation with older people across Ireland. The programme supports the Government’s vision for an Age Friendly Ireland and the major commitments to older persons’ housing and town centre revitalisation under Housing for All.

Those in attendance left with a deeper understanding of how housing design impacts older people and what matters most to them. They gained increased awareness of legislative and financial requirements for accessible and inclusive design, along with practical knowledge of universal design, lifetime housing and best practice implementation. The training also provided tools and insights to strengthen future plans, policies and housing delivery as well as better knowledge on how age friendly approaches can be integrated at design stage with little or no added cost.

Speaking on the training, Emer O’Gorman, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, said: “Age friendly design benefits everyone, and this training helps ensure we design homes and public spaces where people can live independently, safely and with confidence as they age. Wicklow County Council is committed to strengthening our work in this area and embedding age friendly principles into all aspects of planning and service delivery.”

Commenting on the importance of the programme, Chair of the Wicklow Age Friendly Alliance and Director of Services for Wicklow County Council, Michael Nicholson added, “This programme brings together policy, research, universal design and practical tools that allow local authorities to respond effectively to the needs of an ageing population. We are delighted to work with Age Friendly Ireland to support this important agenda.”

For further information on Age Friendly initiatives in Wicklow, please contact Sarah McElroy, Age Friendly Programme Coordinator via email on smcelroy@wicklowcoco.ie or phone on 087 3974770.

Imagery

Image One - Sean Keane (Senior Executive Engineer, Wicklow County Council), Sarah McElroy (Age Friendly Programme Manager), Michael Nicholson (Director of Services, Wicklow County Council), Emer O'Gorman (Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council), Caroline Brogan (Regional Programme Manager - Age Friendly Ireland) and Declan Gaffney (National Technical Programme Manager - Age Friendly Ireland) at the Age Friendly Housing and Public Realm Training event in Council Buildings, Wicklow Town. Photo Mick Kelly

Image Two - Sean Keane (Senior Executive Engineer, Wicklow County Council), Sarah McElroy (Age Friendly Programme Manager), Michael Nicholson (Director of Services, Wicklow County Council), Emer O'Gorman (Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council), Caroline Brogan (Regional Programme Manager - Age Friendly Ireland) and Declan Gaffney (National Technical Programme Manager - Age Friendly Ireland) with Age Friendly Committee members Tom Cavanagh, Kathleen Kelleher, Mai Quaid, Cora Pocock, Derek Connolly and Ann Halpin at the Age Friendly Housing and Public Realm Training event in Council Buildings, Wicklow Town. Photo Mick Kelly

Image Three - Declan Gaffney (National Technical Programme Manager - Age Friendly Ireland) speaking at the Age Friendly Housing and Public Realm Training event in Council Buildings, Wicklow Town. Photo Mick Kelly

Image Four - Caroline Brogan (South East Regional Manager, Age Friendly Ireland) speaking at the Age Friendly Housing and Public Realm Training event in Council Buildings, Wicklow Town. Photo Mick Kelly