Active retirement groups in Ireland
Introduction
As people spend more of their active life in retirement, many organisations have been set up to support retired people in their pursuit of hobbies, leisure activities and education. There is a wide range of older retired people’s organisations and most of them fall into one of the following categories:
- Activities
- Campaigning
- Support, including carers’ organisations.
The following is a list of these organisations with brief details of their aims and activities. You can contact your local Citizens Information Centre or library to find out details of older people’s groups in your area.
Activities
Activity-based groups include active retirement associations, sports, arts and culture groups. Some of them are largely concerned with providing a social outlet, others organise all sorts of activities including traditional leisure activities and education and training.
Active Retirement Ireland
(ARI)
A national network of local active retirement associations whose purpose is to
enable retired people to enjoy a full and active life and to advocate for them.
You can contact ARI to find your local active retirement association or to get
information on how to set up a new group.
Age and Opportunity
Age and Opportunity works to promote opportunities for greater participation by
older people in society in a range of areas from the arts and physical activity
to promoting age equality.
Campaigning
A number of organisations lobby for the rights of older people in Ireland. They campaign to raise awareness of the issues affecting older people and influence government policy. They include:
Older & Bolder
Alliance of non-governmental organisations that champions the rights of all
older people and is working towards the attainment of an age- friendly
society.
Older Women’s Network
National network that links individuals and groups of women aged over 55. The
network provides a forum for older women to meet together to share their
experiences and discuss issues of concern. It works to bring about positive
change and the social inclusion of older women. Membership of OWN is open to
women who support its aims and who live in Ireland.
Irish Senior Citizens
Parliament
The organisation represents the interests of senior citizens to government and
other public bodies on issues affecting older people such as income, health or
housing.
National Federation of
Pensioners’ Associations
As a representative body for pensioners’ organisations the Federation aims to
protect and promote the interests of pensioners and retired people with regard
to social welfare, health, superannuation and tax.
Age Action Ireland
Age Action Ireland is a national advocacy body on ageing and older people.
The organisation aims to achieve fundamental change in the lives of all older
people by empowering them to live full lives as actively engaged citizens and
to secure their rights to comprehensive high quality services according to
their changing needs.
Support and information
There are a number of groups offering support and information to older people. Many older people are living alone and many others are caring for frail older people or others needing care in the home.
Senior
Help Line
Senior Help Line is a confidential listening service run by older people for
isolated or lonely older people for the price of a local call anywhere in
Ireland. The lines are open every day from 10am to 4pm and from 7pm to 10pm,
Lo-call: 1850 440 444.
Retirement Planning Council of
Ireland
The Council aims to prepare people for the period of their lives which begins
after they retire from work. It develops and organises preparation for
retirement and life changing courses, helping them to become aware of the
advantages and problems of retirement.
AlONE
ALONE supports vulnerable older people providing temporary or permanent
housing and combatting isolation and loneliness in society. Volunteers and
staff work with older people in ALONE’s dedicated housing projects and in the
community.
Friends of the
Elderly
Friends of the Elderly is an Irish charity that brings friendship and social
opportunities to the elderly, especially those who live alone. Its volunteers
visit the elderly in their homes in the Greater Dublin area.
Carers’ supports
Carers Association
The Carers Association aims to support family members who provide care for
frail older persons. The organisation lobbies and advocates on behalf of family
carers in the home who lack services, such as in-home respite, which are
essential to family carers. It has a network of carers’ resource centres.
Caring for Carers
Ireland
Caring for Carers Ireland works to promote the health, well-being and quality
of life of all family carers and those for whom they care. The organisation
focuses on the areas of recognition, provision of information on benefits and
entitlements, respite, training, research and advocacy to promote social
inclusion.
Care Alliance Ireland
As a national network of voluntary organisations supporting family carers the
alliance is an umbrella group which represents family carers’
organisations.
Language
Related Documents
- Go for Life programme
The Go for Life programme, is Ireland's national programme aimed at increasing the level of participation by older people in sport and physical activity. - Social partnership agreements
Towards 2016 is a social partnership between the Irish Government and the social partners including trade unions, employers, environmental organisations, farming organisations and the community and voluntary sector. It was negotiated in 2006 and covers a wide range of policy areas. - Grundtvig Programme 2007-2013
This document describes Grundtvig, a European education programme that aims to improve adult education in Europe.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.