An Irish social project focusing on elderly engagement known as Age Well, which delivers a weekly peer-to-peer service for older individuals, claimed the European Civil Society Prize in Brussels. Going against four other noteworthy European endeavours, the project emerged victorious with the European Economic and Social Committee granting it a substantial €14,000 as part of its inaugural Civil Society week.
Áine Brady of the Third Age Foundation, which has been conducting the initiative backed by part-funding from the HSE since 2018, expressed a tremendous sense of achievement at the win. She highlighted the immense impact the recognition and prize money will have on their work. Over the past half a decade, the initiative has facilitated over 500 elderly citizens of Co Meath, many of whom were recommended by either public health practitioners or general practitioners.
With hopes of broadening its reach across Ireland, and potentially Europe, Third Age Foundation has seen considerable improvements in the overall well-being of participants the longer they remain in this initiative. Weekly visits and follow up calls by fellow senior individuals form the foundation of the service, with an app employed bi-weekly to monitor physical, emotional, and social health alterations of clients. As per Brady, the app functions as an early detection system that spots any signs of deteriorating health or adjustment issues.
Competing projects included mental health initiatives from Finland and Slovakia, and an Italian venture aimed at tackling eating disorders. Each of these were awarded €9,000 for their commendable efforts.
Organisations within the civil sector are crucial to the provision of services that are currently inadequately offered by the public health system, particularly tailoring to the distinctive requirements of susceptible groups, according to Oliver Ropke, the president of the European Economic and Social Committee.
The EESC’s 14th civil society acknowledged the vital role mental health has played given the multiple crises Europe has faced, including wars, economic pressures, natural disasters and Covid-19 related issues. This year’s prize was notably awarded to organisations who made significant strides in addressing these complexities in their communities. The prize recieved an overwhelming response with over 100 entries from its 23 member states in the European Union.
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