Category: News

Members of Laois Comhairle na nÓg and Steering Committee  at their Steering Committee meeting in the Youth Café, Portlaoise held on 5^th October 2022.

Laois prepares for the annual one day-access blitz which is #MakeWayDay22.

 Every corner of Ireland will be put to the test for basic access issues on Friday, September 30^th, when the Make Way Day campaign returns.

Laois County Council will be supporting  #makewayday22 on Friday 30^th September by creating awareness, around the access issues faced by the people of Laois, as they go about their daily business.

“Make Way Day” is a campaign that brings the disability and wider community together,  to consider the needs of people with disabilities in the public spaces we all share.

For more information on this initiative Click here: http://makewayday.com/

It is led nationally by the Disability Federation of Ireland and is a unique collaboration across Ireland and the voluntary and local government sectors. But most of all it’s about people with disabilities.

                “Hey, this blocks my way!” is our message.

It’s too easy for us to label these issues as not my problem. You may be right in thinking that the car indiscriminately parked on the footpath is not an inconvenience to you but some day it might.  Not everyone was born with their disability.  All of us are getting older and maybe less mobile as time goes by and navigating through cars parked on a footpath can be challenging.  Some of our citizens that may be visually impaired may experience difficulty, encountering an advertising board outside your business.  We all have a role to play in making our streets easier to navigate.

As part of Make Way Day 2022, Laois County Council in collaboration with IWA, NCBI, NLN & Rehabcare Portlaoise, Laois Sports Partnership &  Laois PPN and supported by Volunteer Laois will be conducting a number of Walkability Audits on Friday morning, 30^th September in the following locations:

• Portlaoise (departing the Parish Centre at 10.30am);
• Stradbally (departing Arthouse at 11.30am) and
• Rathdowney ( departing Cuan Bhride at 11.30am)

The objective of these audits is to identify what we can do to make our streets more accessible.

Remember everyone can get involved #MakeWayDay22.

Contact our Community Department, Laois County Council, if you wish to find out more on this initiative- 057-8664060 and/or 086-0653313 or email dce@laoiscoco.ie

Dunamaise Arts Centre hosts a programme of free creative activities including art workshops and masterclasses for adults 55+, a partnership programme between the Dunamaise and Laois Arts office, and includes:

‘Musical Fun with Nuala Kelly’ (Fri Sept 30, 2-3.30pm) is a workshop that explores your voice with vocal warm-ups, musical games and simple songs.  Find your rhythm with tapping, clapping and hand-held percussion instruments.  No prior experience necessary, just come along and enjoy yourself!

‘My Left Foot with Arthur Lappin’ (Fri  Oct 14, 2– 3.30pm) provides a unique insight into the making of ‘My Left Foot‘ and how this film became a gateway for the development of the Irish Film industry.  Join well-known film and stage producer Arthur Lappin, whose feature films, which include  ‘My Left Foot’, ‘The Field’, ‘In The Name of the Father’ and ‘In America’, were nominated for 16 Academy Awards and won 2, as well as many other international awards.  It is recommended that you watch ‘My Left Foot’ pre-attending this masterclass.

‘Stirrings with Angela Delaney’ (Fri Oct 28, 2– 3.30pm) is a visual arts workshop using a variety of art materials/processes to focus on creating visual responses to art images that stir something in us.  Participants are encouraged to respond visually to images they connect with.  Booking essential for all activities, call 057 866 3355 or email info@dunamaise.ie.

Age Friendly Laois  launches “Reframing Aging” Campaign

Positive Ageing Week 2022 (PAW) runs from 25^th September to the 1^st October, 2022 and celebrates ageing and the contribution and agency of older people. The theme of PAW 2022 is Challenging Ageism -Reframing How We Think, Feel and Act about older age.

Laois County Council, through its  Age Friendly Laois & Healthy Laois programmes are fortunate to have interactions with the older Laois Community and can see first hand their capabilities, qualities, knowledge and experience. As part of the launch of “ Reframing Aging “ campaign , we have profiled some of them here. Healthy Laois, in delivering its Live Well, Age Well programme , aims to support its citizens in maintaining a healthy and happy lifestyle, regardless of age or ability.

The national Age Friendly Ireland Programme (info on agefriendly.ie) supports cities, counties and towns across Ireland to prepare for the rapid ageing of our population by paying increased attention to the environmental, economic and social factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults.

Age-friendly programmes work to provide walkable streets, housing and transportation options, access to key services and opportunities for older people to participate in community activities. By doing so, these communities are better equipped to become great places, and where appropriate lifelong homes, for people of all ages.

Ageism refers to how we think (Stereotypes), feel (Prejudice) and act (Discrimination) towards others or ourselves based on age. It is harmful and has far-reaching impacts on all aspects of people’s health- physical, mental & social well being. It takes a heavy economic toll on individuals and society. The Global campaign to combat Ageism states that 1 in 2 people worldwide are ageist, and that this is particularly true in Europe. They state that ageism affects us throughout life and that it exists in our institutions and our relationships and that ageism exacerbates other disadvantages an older person may have.

Ageism can be combatted through policy and law , but mainly through education and awareness. We must recognise, acknowledge and appreciate past , present and future contribution of the older people in our community and minimise any generational disconnect that exists. Ageism is difficult to understand as it is an inevitability that we all get old and we should treat older people as we ourselves would like to be treated in our own later years.

For more information on this campaign, or indeed anything relating to  the Age Friendly Laois programme, please contact Tom Curran on agefriendly@laoiscoco.ie or 05786 64150

For full press release, click this link

Creativity doesn’t Age

Trish Kelley tapped into her creative streak by joining Yarnbombing Mountmellick back in 2014. Trish hadn’t held a crochet hook since primary school. With a demanding career, she managed only to have enough time to be an ardent Liverpool supporter, and to do a little gardening.

Tapping into the right side of her brain has been a revelation. A nurse by profession, the health benefits of immersing oneself in crafting pursuits are irrefutable for Trish. Creativity is great for your health! Being a member of  a group whose tagline is “a herd of a different colour” is a prescription for wellbeing, improved brain neuroplasticity and cognitive function. Whether pondering colour combinations, puzzling over crochet patterns or pouring over YouTube tutorials, age is no barrier to innovation or imagination. Creativity has informed all areas of her life now. Attending Electric Picnic last weekend, she felt right at home amongst the colour, finding inspiration all around her. Trish quotes the author Ursula Le Guin “The creative adult is the child who survived.” A great message for us all!

Resilience doesn’t Age

Jim Fennelly is from Abbeyleix and worked with the ESB for 33 years until a workplace accident in 2007 meant that Jim has had to use a wheelchair since. This has not stopped Jim, however, and since his accident , he has devoted a lot of his life to a passion of his since the age of 12- photography. Jim’s images can be seen on JimKathleen Fennelly facebook page- his latest photos being from the Electric Picnic on his “ All Terrain Motorised Wheelchair”, which he says “can go anywhere”.  Being in a wheelchair hasn’t stopped Jim , and he remains as actively engaged with his community as ever, forming a camera club in his hometown of Abbeyleix , among other achievements. Jim can also be seen regularly at the Field equestrian centre, another love of his. Jim is a good conversationist and time flies by in his company.

He is a great example of how barriers got be got around or even knocked down!!!!!

Courage doesn’t Age

Viktor  & Liudmyla Shokhin came to Ireland in April 2022, after the outbreak of war in Ukraine, following their daughter & grandchildren who had come to Ireland in March. Vickor is a retired engineer and Liudmyla a retired teacher, who still hears from her former pupils in Ukraine. They made the decision to come to Ireland due to the war and to support their daughter and family. Viktor loved to fish in the rivers of Kyiv with his grandchildren and has brought them fishing in Ireland to continue that with them. It has been a huge change in their lives but they are adapting, with Liudmyla taking English classes to further help them to settle and support their family.

This year, the Laois Connects Programme, co-ordinated by Laois County Council will take place from the 1^st October to the 31^st of October 2022. Events are spread throughout the county and there should be something for everyone in the schedule of events.

Laois Connects organising Committee represents Laois County Council, Laois Sports Partnership, Laois PPN, HSE, Laois Partnership Company, Mental Health Ireland, Mountmellick Youth and Family Resource Centre, Mountmellick Community School, LOETB & Healthy Ireland.

For the full brochure of programme events visit https://laois.ie/departments/community/promoting-social-inclusion/#5

The Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Councillor Thomasina Connell  had the following message for the people of Laois;

“ The  Laois Connects initiative is important , especially in the current climate, where people may be under pressure or stressed. It steers us to thinking about our mental health & wellbeing, and it prompts us to prioritise it. The last number of years have been difficult, and it is vital that we take the time to look after ourselves- connecting to communities and talking to people is more important than ever.  The phrase “ A problem shared is a problem halved “ as ever, rings true and Laois Connects encourages the people of Laois to reach out to each other- friends, family, community, or to the many services that are there to help”

Ms. Josephine Rigney, Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention with the HSE and  a mmber of the Laois Connects Organisation Committee offers these words of advice and encouragement;

“Each and every day we are all faced with the challenges of life – some within our control and some which are outside of our control.  Because of this, it is so important that we take the time to focus on ourselves and our wellness, both mentally and physically.  What are the things that we can do to build up our emotional resilience and wellbeing?    Laois Connects reminds us that there are activities that we can all do to mind our emotional and mental health, whether this is keeping active, looking after our physical health, staying in touch with others,  having a chat if we need to talk about something, or just doing something that we enjoy and get meaning from.   Keeping ourselves mentally and physical well on an ongoing basis is a gift that we can give to ourselves and one that will enable us to navigate and cope with the ups and downs and challenges of everyday life.  It is important also to be aware that sometimes we may need some support from others and we don’t have to do it all on our own.  Reach out to your support system – family, friends or someone you can trust.  Connect in with the various supports and services that are available – they are there for you and anyone who may need some help and support.  Check out www.connectingforlifemidlandslouthmeath.ie or www.yourmentalhealth.ie or Freephone: 1800 111 888 for a list of local and national services. “

Finola Colgan Development Officer Mental Health Ireland Midlands Louth and Meath said;

” it is very timely to address mental health matters given the current changes taking place.. The theme of 2022’s World Mental Health Day, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is ‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority’. The overall aim is to  get the public to place mental health on a par with physical health. We all have mental health needs as we with physical health. However , when we find ourselves struggling, feeling unable to cope our mental health can be undermined. Laois Connects is providing a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our mental health and the supports that are available at such times. Equally important throughout the month  is the emphasis on activities that we can partake in to support and enhance our mental health.”

Among the events planned are Tai Chi Yoga classes, being offered by Laois County Council’s Sport and Leisure Department. These classes will be delivered at various locations throughout the county.

Laois Sports Partnership are delivering the Prime Time of Life program  along with the  Menowell program . Activator Pole sessions, which are always popular will also be scheduled throughout the month.

The Laois & Offaly Training Board (LOETB), in conjunction with Laois Libraries are providing a series of workshops on Mindfulness, along with Mindful Art sessions.

There will be a HSE information event taking place in Laois Shopping Centre on the 14^th of October and the Sing For Joy choir will be performing on the 19^th of October in the Parish Centre in Portlaoise.

A number of shows with a mental health theme will take place in Portlaoise & Portarlington, delivered by the Dunamaise Arts Theatre.

There is an opportunity to attend an open – mic event to discuss the topics of “Living with Hope” and “ Living with Loss”, two of the topics in the Laois Connects Podcast series, on 25^th October in the Parish Centre- http://laoispartnership.ie/ laois-connects-podcast/.

We encourage everyone to get out walking & running in the fresh air and we have listings of walks in Laois along with Park Run & Junior Park Run events .

Further details regarding dates, times, locations of all events can be found here https://laois.ie/departments/community/promoting-social-inclusion/#5

www.laois.ie

https://www.facebook.com/laoisconnects2022 #laoisconnects

@laoisconnects2022 (Instagram)

Some of the members of Laois Connects Organising Committee pictured with Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Cllr. Thomasina Connell supporting the initiative.