“They see the white hair and they assume ‘ah she wouldn’t know anything about that’!”

Today, individuals, groups and organisations around the world are celebrating the incredible women around them for International Women’s Day.

Age & Opportunity, a national not-for-profit organisation that promotes opportunities for greater participation by older people in society through partnerships and collaborative programmes, is celebrating two such ladies who have been involved in their programmes for a number of years.

Madge O’Callaghan, aged 67 from Cabra West Dublin and Maureen Murray, aged 67 living in Dublin.

Madge (pictured above) worked with Age & Opportunity recently as one of 16 Peer Researchers on their Digital Literacy Access initiative.

This research aims to find out more about older people’s access to, and use of, technology and the internet.

The researchers surveyed 900 people in five counties; the results of which they hope will inform local authorities and other organisations about the digital needs of older people.

Madge was interested in getting involved in the research project for a variety of reasons.

“I’ve been using technology since the ‘80s and knew that I had probably been using it a lot longer than a lot of other people,” she said.

“It’s always fascinated me that people don’t expect me to know how to use technology because of my age.

“They see the white hair and they assume ‘ah she wouldn’t know anything about that’!

“I hope that more older people will be less afraid of new technology as a result of the work we did.”

Now that most restrictions have been removed, Madge is looking forward to a return to family gatherings (and associated hugs!) and plans to meet with family in Australia soon.

She is currently involved in a writing project for the Clare Women’s Network, and intends to facilitate writing workshops and retreats in East Clare in the coming months.

Maureen (pictured above) got involved in Age & Opportunity’s Bealtaine Festival as a volunteer a number of years ago.

She worked as a steward at some of the arts venues where events were taking place – “What was lovely about it was meeting the other volunteers, but also all the people attending.

“You were able to chat to everyone.

“That’s a world we’re all looking forward to getting back to. It’s such a great mix of different generations at Bealtaine.”

She also played an important part in the co-design group for Age & Opportunity’s Arts and Creative Charter for Older People, which aims to raise the standard of arts practice in relation to older people and to create confidence amongst older people in relation to participating in the arts in Ireland.

“I’m an advocate for everything people have to offer as we get older. Older people are creators, makers, producers, teachers, students, thinkers and so much more.”

As restrictions have been removed Maureen is looking forward to the year ahead with fresh possibilities and will also continue to make use of some of the things we learned during Covid, like using Zoom for a weekly Sunday lunch with her sister.

Age & Opportunity is the national organisation that provides a range of opportunities for older people who want to get more involved in arts and culture, sport and physical activity, civic engagement and personal development.

Visit: https://ageandopportunity.ie/