Care about Cork

Consider, assist, respect and empathise (CARE).

Launched last year as part of Cork County Council’s Project ACT (Activating County Towns), CARE asks that a number of important guidelines be observed.

It firstly asks that we consider older and vulnerable people’s needs as they re-join our communities having had their movements restricted for so long.

We are then asked to assist older and vulnerable people by respecting age-friendly parking spaces and accessible parking spaces for people with disabilities in our towns, villages and shopping centres.

We should respect physical distancing for older and vulnerable people and give them space on our streets, parks and walkways.

And finally, we must empathise with older and vulnerable people and understand that they may feel especially anxious at this time.

Mayor Linehan Foley highlighted that, while the vaccination programme is well underway, it is important to think about the principles of CARE and let it serve as a friendly reminder to continue practice social distancing, hand sanitising and mask wearing in public.

“Many of our older friends and family have experienced a very trying year and it’s wonderful to see positivity and confidence return to such a valued cohort of our society. Please take a moment and think CARE so that together we may all enjoy an outdoor Summer across our beautiful county,” she said.

The CARE guidelines were drafted in collaboration with the Cork County Older People’s Council to promote consideration for more vulnerable people during the crisis.

The Cork County Older People’s Council is a representative group of older people from across the county whose role is to represent the “voice of the older person”, and to guide the council in its policies, operations and service delivery.

Chair of the Cork County Older People’s Council, Liz Maddox said it is important that all members of society adopt a CARE approach as restrictions ease.

“We ask as a team that you welcome our older people back out into their communities. Let's make it a joyful experience for them through this difficult time. Think CARE,” she said.

Commenting on CARE, Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey noted how Project ACT 2021 continues to put support for the older population at the centre of Cork County Council’s roll-out plans,

“When activating our county towns and villages, let us all be conscious of those who will use them. Together we rallied to support older people since the start of this crisis. Lets continue in that spirit and embrace the CARE guidelines as we look forward to a return to normal activity in the weeks and months ahead,” he said.

For more information on CARE and Project Act, visit corkcoco.ie.