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Cork County Older People’s Council (OPC), through Cork County Council’s Age Friendly Programme, is distributing Winter Care Packs along with the OPC Winter Newsletter to older people across the County.

The newsletter includes useful information and news from around the County including updates on the Council’s library services, fire safety advice, ‘winter ready’ advice, road safety advice, and details of the Council’s COVID-19 Community Support Helpline.

The newsletter has been prepared by Cork County Council’s Age Friendly Office in association with the Council’s Fire Services, Road Safety Office and Library Services in consultation with the Cork County Older People’s Council.  Also included in the pack is a high-vis vest, a keyring torch and a Winter Ready Fridge Magnet which has been developed by Cork County Council, the HSE and An Garda Síochána.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, welcomed the initiative, saying:

As we get older it can become more challenging to mind our health through Winter and this year may be tougher than usual. The newsletter put together by Cork County Council’s Age Friendly office with Cork County Fire Services and the Council’s Road Safety office is this year accompanied by a Winter Ready Care Pack to offer as much support as possible to our older people as we face into the Winter months. We can all reach out to older friends, family members and neighbours to check in with them, a phone call can go a long way.

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey said:

Cork County Council has been steadily expanding its Age Friendly Programme with the addition of four new county towns this year. Bringing together voluntary groups, local businesses, clubs and organisations to create better communities for older people to live in. The Council is working with Cork County Older People’s Council and listening to the voice of our older people. We value their contribution to our communities while we strive to meet their specific needs. The newsletter and Winter Ready Care Pack empowers our older people to take the best care of themselves by providing the resources and supports available to them this Winter.

Welcoming the initiative, Liz Maddox, Chair of Cork County Older People’s Council, noted that the packs are being very warmly received by members of Cork County Older People’s Council. “Older people are delighted to receive these packs in the post. People have contacted me to say it has brightened up their day.”

Further information on this initiative is available by contacting Cork County Council on 021 4285557 or by emailing [email protected]

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