LISTEN - Council supports major international research project aimed at improving health outcomes for older people in rural locations

by Gráinne Connolly

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council  is supporting a major international research project with a focus on improving the lives of older people in remote and rural areas through improved access to technology and social connectedness.

Ulster University is the lead partner on the project and has been awarded a grant by The Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) 2014-2020 Programme worth €1.7m.

The project, Platforms for Ageing Community Engagement – Exchange and Enterprise (PLACE-EE) – , will be delivered by a team of international partners, including Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and will run until August 2020.

PLACE-EE  will seek to develop low cost, transnational solutions to improve the health and wellbeing of older isolated people in remote rural areas through innovative approaches to social inclusion.

This will include helping older citizens to understand and exploit digital technology for their health and social wellbeing and creating a range of digital solutions to the challenges identified by older people.

Louise McLaughlin, part of the Council's Community Support team has been explaining the initiative to Q Radio that aims to help older people in rural areas: 

The Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Stephen McCann said: 

“The Council is delighted to be working in partnership with other international bodies to help deliver this high quality project.

"One of the central outcomes of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Corporate Plan is to encourage our older citizens to lead more independent, engaged and socially connected lives  by reducing isolation and increasing social inclusivity  particularly among older people who live in rural and isolated areas.

"I believe that the Council’s involvement in this project fully supports this aim.”

Professor Gerry Leavey, director of the Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, will lead PLACE-EE.

Speaking of the project he said:

 “With social exclusion and loneliness increasingly prevalent in rural and remote regions of Europe, there are damaging consequences for physical and mental health.

"This project will develop and implement locally derived, sustainable solutions to address the health and social needs of aging and isolated rural populations.

“In doing so, it will identify and connect local, cultural knowledge and other resources with innovative ICT approaches that enable social inclusion, and timely, efficient advice, support and care.

"We want to foster intergenerational skills exchange between older and younger citizens and empower older people through creative and cultural activities.”

Welcoming the funding awards, Gina McIntyre Chief Executive Officer of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) said:

 “We are delighted that our work in guiding the Ulster University, over some 18 months, in the application requirements of the Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme has resulted in these successful funding awards, and we wish them every success.

“Both of these inspiring projects will not only answer some of the challenges facing remote communities across the Northern Peripheral regions of Europe, but will help to cement and promote future collaborative partnerships between key organisations that are working to improve the health outcomes of older people in rural locations.”

There's more information about the scheme at: http://place-ee.interreg-npa.eu/ or Twitter @place_ee.