Age Friendly Certification Programme Update

Earlier this year, Tirlán partnered up with Age Friendly Ireland to assist with the role out of the Age Friendly Certification across the Agribusiness network.  The commencement of the Certification programme was launched in May 2024 in Tirlán Countrylife Dungarvan.

Pictured at the commencement of the Age Friendly Ireland Certification Journey at Tirlán CountryLife Dungarvan branch are from left Olivia Treacy Supplier and Customer Engagement Manager Tirlán, Senan Foley Head of Retail Tirlán, Mary Butler TD Minister of State at the Department of Health and Bruce McDevitt from Age Friendly Regional Manager 

Age Friendly Ireland supports businesses across Ireland to focus on creating an inclusive environment for older adults in preparation for the rapid ageing of Ireland’s population.

They assist businesses to focus on aspects of the business that are influential to ensuring the older person has a good experience when visiting the business/store.

 

Customer Centric Focus

The Age Friendly Certification programme is part of Tirlán’s on-going customer-centric focus.  It focuses on the inclusion of the older customer and addressing their needs to value their custom while ensuring a good customer experience when visiting any of the Tirlán CountryLife or Tirlán FarmLife stores.

 

Age Friendly is people friendly

For a business to be recognised as Age Friendly, it means that it has taken proactive steps to ensure that all customers, especially the older customers, have a positive and accessible experience. This recognition is not just a label but a reflection of the business's commitment to the community's well-being and inclusivity.

 

The Older person

The term “Older person” refers to anyone from age 60 years upwards.  This age category accounts for up to 50% of all consumer spending in the EU.  There is more than one million 60+ year olds living and shopping in Ireland and this is expected to double by 2051.  This age profile of individuals have the time to shop, they like to shop and they are loyal customers. They will come back again and again if you make the consumer experience comfortable and pleasant for them.

The Age Friendly Business Recognition Programme sets out to make sure Tirlán Co-op values the older consumer and is prepared to put some simple low-costs or no-cost changes in place to make the business more accessible and welcoming to the older customer

 

Enhancing customer experience

Each Tirlán CountryLife and Tirlán FarmLife store has identified an Age Friendly Champion, to assist older people as needed when visiting the store to ensure a good customer experience.  If your store does not have an Age Friendly Champion please contact Shane Aston on [email protected] for more details.

 

Age Friendly Workshop

Tirlán has been actively working towards achieving Age Friendly status, which involves selecting an Age Friendly Champion at each CountryLife and FarmLife Store.

Over 40 Age Friendly Champions have been trained over the past few months through a number of Age Friendly Workshops run by Age Friendly Ireland.  Two in person workshops were held in Dungarvan (May 2024) and Abbey Quarter (July 2024) and two online workshops took place (March and July 2024).  Each workshop has provided training to understand what it meant by catering for the older person.  Colleagues across Marketing, Health & Safety and Branch development also participated.

If you wish to participate in the next Age Friendly Workshop please contact Shane Aston on [email protected].

In person - Abbey Quarter 9 July 2024

Online workshop 20 March 2024

Online workshop 16 July 2024

In person - Dungarvan 27 May 2024

 

Next Steps

Following on from the Age Friendly Workshop each Champion/Branch will conduct a survey and a walkability audit in their respective store.  The survey will help provide an understanding of the types of initiatives that may be required to adapt the store for the Older person while the walkability audit will help assist on where improvements can be made with regard to ease of accessibility and display.

Three initiatives will be identified for implementation.  Age Friendly Ireland will be notified of same.  Examples of such initiatives include bigger font on signage, designated Age Friendly parking spaces, staff training, designated seating, and availability of reading glasses for customers on request.

When Age Friendly status is achieved, that Tirlán store will be included in the Age Friendly Business Directory which can be viewed on www.agefriendlyireland.ie.  This is a powerful directory which older people use to plan their shopping trips.

 

Who else is Age Friendly Certified?

There are a number of companies that have attained their Age Friendly Certification.  These can be viewed on the Age Friendly Business Directory.  An example of these companies include Bank of Ireland, FBD Insurance, Specsavers, Vodafone, Maldron Hotel, Kilkenny Design, Cara Pharmacy, AXA Insurance

Stay tuned for further updates as each store achieves their respective Age Friendly recognition.

 

 

 

First Published 22 July 2024