Coláiste pupils moot age-friendly plan

SIGNAGE-making motorists in Ennis aware of elderly pedestrians, reduced prices for pensioners and a lengthening of traffic light times. These are just some of the innovative ideas being put forward by Coláiste Muire pupils who believe that the town has the potential to become an Age Friendly Town.
Transition-year pupils of Coláiste Muire, led by teacher Finola Howard, have carried out extensive research into the needs of the town’s older population as part of their Young Social Innovators project on Positive Ageing.
As well as the research, the students have also been busy providing computer lessons for the elderly in a programme called Log and Learn and they are planning other initiatives such as a grave-cleaning service, providing high-visibility jackets and a paired walking initiative.
The project involves the whole of transition year and students Muireann O’Shea, Aoife Sheehan, Róisín Curran, Jenny Hansbury, Orla Bredin and Sarah O’Reilly explained what it is all about.
Muireann said, “2012 is the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. That, and the fact that County Clare signed the international declaration for age-friendly communities late last year is what inspired this project on positive ageing.”
The pupils’ research is still ongoing but to date, they have surveyed elderly people about road safety. Their results showed 100% of those surveyed said they would like to see new signs around Ennis to warn drivers of the elderly. 85% said they felt unsafe crossing the road; 85% agreed Ennis does not have adequate signage cautioning motorists to slow down. Those surveyed also identified O’Connell Street, Clon Road, Lifford Road by the new playground and the roads bordering the Cathedral as being difficult to cross.
The pupils have proposed that extra signs be erected in Ennis cautioning motorists to be more aware of older pedestrians. “Such signage does not presently exist in Ennis. If sings were to be erected at certain parts of the town, it would be a huge step in creating awareness of the elderly for motorists. These signs will make it easier, safer and more pleasant for older pedestrians to walk from their homes to local amenities and services. Ennis could be a pioneer in this initiative in helping our older community to age positively,” said Muireann.
They have proposed two large signs be erected on entrance routes to the town promoting Ennis as an Age Friendly Town. They have also proposed six signs at the ‘hotspots’ brought to their attention during the research. These signs could be similar to those at pedestrian crossings alerting people to be more conscious of older pedestrians, pupils have suggested.
They have also proposed the time period available to pedestrians at traffic lights is insufficient and should be lengthened by seven seconds. The pupils explained, “The present time frame may be adequate for younger pedestrians, however, the elderly, especially those with restricted mobility and vision, feel pressured crossing at traffic lights and at pedestrian crossings. Our older community should not feel anxious crossing the road.”
The pupils outlined that statistics from the CSO show that by 2036 there will be twice as many people over the age of 65 living in Clare.
“Small changes often make the biggest difference. Our initiative is attempting to bring about small changes sooner rather than later. Investments into the signs will in the short term assist the seniors of our community but in the long term, the benefits will be for the wider community.”
The issue of pavements also came to the fore in the research. They found that when town centre pavements are congested, older pedestrians due to limited mobility feel they are unable to move as the kerb hinders them from getting onto the street, which is unsafe and they find this intimidating and stressful.
They have called for a review of pavement standards to ensure they are appropriate width to accommodate wheelchairs and be free from blockages.
As part of the project they have been providing entertainment for the elderly in the Ennis Community Centre and have recently been granted permission to provide a grave-cleaning service in Drumcliffe Cemetery for elderly people who are unable to tend the graves of their loved ones.
They also have plans to create a presentation on promoting positive attitudes and respect amongst their peers towards the elderly community, which they intend to show to schools.
With the help of Community Garda Deirdre O’Doherty, they are aiming to set up a paired walking initiative, where students would be paired with an elderly person. The aim is to walk with them to keep them company or assist with various errands. They are currently negotiating a reduced price at various coffee shops and a local taxi company for pensioners in a scheme dubbed ‘New Year, New Price’. The reduced price deal will be available to any pensioner who possesses an authenticity card produced by Coláiste Muire.
They have also secured high-visibility jackets from the RSA to distribute to elderly people in the community.
On deciding on this project, the pupils researched other locations with similar initiatives, familiarising themselves with Dundalk, an Age Friendly Town. They have been invited to Louth to review their initiatives and will have an opportunity to meet members of the Older People’s Forum.
They have also been in contact with Patricia Goan, regional manager of the Age Friendly Initiative for Clare. The students intend to work with her, in conjunction with Ennis Town Council, to act on programmes for Ennis.
“Ennis, as a potentially Age Friendly town, needs to adapt its structures and services to be accessible to and inclusive of older people with varying needs and capacities. We as a community need to look after our elderly. Crossing the roads is a basic function and should not be causing unnecessary stress or injury to any individual, least of all the vulnerable in our community. Our project is all about giving to the community in a simple way. Aging is a natural, inevitable progression. We will all grow old so let’s facilitate our older community to age positively,” they stated.
The students were recently invited to make a presentation to members of Ennis Town Council, outlining their findings and proposals. The councillors complimented their work, with town manager Ger Dollard describing it as a “fascinating area”. He told the students an age-friendly strategy is currently being prepared for the county.
According to teacher Finola Howard, the pupils will be making a proposal to the overall strategy with the aim of Ennis becoming an age friendly town.
“This project was absolutely the girls’ idea and for any project like this to succeed, it has to have ownership. Every bit of this has been a great experience for them and they have put in fabulous work. We were delighted with the reaction of the council. These are simple ideas, yet they can make important changes,” she said.
YSI is Ireland’s largest social awareness and active citizenship and education programme for 15-18-year-old teens. Its main goal is to get young people involved in action, which helps improve the lives of others in their community. Coláiste Muire have been involved with YSI over the past six years achieving the overall prize in 2008, placed second in 2004, overall category winners in 2010 and twice projects have been highly recommended.