An ambitious, community-led initiative which aims to make Cork a city where people living with dementia can live well, feel valued and participate fully in everyday life, was recently launched by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI), in partnership with Cork City Council and Age Friendly Cork City.
Approximately 60 people from across Cork city came together on Monday, October 12th for the launch of Dementia Inclusive Cork City at the Glen Resource & Sports Centre. Those in attendance included people living with dementia, families and carers, local residents, community and voluntary groups, businesses, sports clubs, service providers and civic leaders. Attendees shared their experiences and ideas for building a city that works for everyone, helping to turn understanding into practical change across shops and services, public spaces, transport, leisure, health supports and neighbourhood life.
Dementia Inclusive Cork City will bring partners together over three years to build a shared knowledge base, turn evidence into action and deliver sustainable, city-wide change. The ASI and Cork City Council have already completed significant groundwork, including consultation, research and the development of a strategic roadmap. The next step is to ensure the initiative is shaped with, not simply for, the people and communities it is intended to serve.
HELP LEAD LASTING CHANGE
There are an estimated 69,949 people living with dementia in Ireland, and the number of people with the condition is expected to more than double to over 151,092 by 2050. Anyone can get dementia – even people in their 30s/40s/50s and 1 in 10 people diagnosed with dementia in Ireland is under 65.
“A dementia inclusive city begins with listening. We want people living with dementia and their families to be at the heart of this work, alongside the communities, businesses and services that shape daily life in Cork,” Siobhan O’Connor, Head of Operations and Community Engagement with the ASI said on the initiative.
“This launch is a chance for everyone to bring their ideas, experience and energy. Together, we can make inclusion visible in the everyday; in a warm welcome, an accessible service, a supportive neighbourhood and the confidence to stay connected. We are asking Cork to show up, speak up and help lead lasting change.”
The ASI is encouraging everyone – whether dementia is part of your own life, your family, your work or your community – to get involved and help shape Ireland’s first Dementia Inclusive City. Every voice, idea and action can make a positive difference as, together, we build a Cork where people living with dementia feel welcomed, valued and supported to live well.
There are many ways local communities and businesses can show their support for people living with dementia and help make Cork City more welcoming, understanding and inclusive. For more information on how to get involved, contact Laura Curtin, Community Engagement Officer with The ASI, at friendsofASI@alzheimer.ie or phone 087 3736496.
This initiative is working alongside the HSE’s Dementia: Understand Together campaign. Dementia: Understand Together, a national partnership between The ASI, HSE, Age Friendly Ireland, Age & Opportunity, Dementia Services Information and Development Centre, and Healthy Ireland, encourages community members and people living with dementia to make their communities more dementia inclusive.
