A Workshop on Combating Ageism and Unconscious Bias

A Workshop on Combating Ageism and Unconscious Bias

“Discrimination on the basis of age is as unacceptable as discrimination on the basis of any other aspect of ourselves that we cannot change.” ― Ashton Applewhite, This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism

Ageism is the most common form of workplace discrimination occurring on the island of Ireland. Research has found that one in five people experience some form of age-based discrimination at the workplace. But ageism is not confined to employment.

Ageism affects older adults throughout Irish society in a number of ways, including, for example in:

• Health and social care, where older persons can encounter age-based limitations on health care and other benefits;
• Employment, where we can encounter a prejudicial retirement age;
• Financial services, where we can encounter limitations on access to insurance;
• Volunteering and lifelong learning, where we can encounter limitations on access to opportunities;
• Education and training, where we can encounter limitations on loans for higher education.

AgeWise is a workshop designed for all of us as we age. It is an opportunity to reflect on how we, as individuals and society, treat the concept of ageing and how older people are perceived and treated. It has particular relevance for employers and anyone providing services to older people, formulating policy for older people or running businesses in general.

It is run by Age & Opportunity and aims to challenge negative stereotypes about ageing and older people. The workshop aims to:

• raise awareness of ageism among participants;
• challenge myths and stereotypes about ageing and older people;
• demonstrate the personal, cultural and structural effects of ageism;
• encourage participants to develop strategies to counter ageism in their community/workplace.

Age & Opportunity delivers AgeWise in an online format to groups in a variety of settings, including local authorities, healthcare settings, schools and companies. The session consists of an interactive presentation and the team will encourage you to voice your thoughts throughout the presentation and inspire further discussion.

Join Age & Opportunity for AgeWise

1 ½ hour Session NGO rate = €200

Suggested number of attendees 10-15 (max) people

To find out more or to book a workshop for your team, please contact Nollaig Fahy at nollaig.fahy@ageandopportunity.ie

Testimonials from previous participants:

We need to empower people to live full lives playing to their strengths and to help people realise that their voices and skills don't 'retire' when they reach the age of 65. - Marion O'Mara, Waterford Older People's Council

The workshop was very enjoyable and visually appealing. Thanks so much for providing it. - Alexandra Kelly

Fitting a conversation about ageism during the COVID-19 pandemic and within one hour was a high-wire act... yet Age & Opportunity built a safe and open space to discuss and learn. Loved it! It left me with a lot of appetite for more conversations about it! - Estelle Huchet Campaign and Project Officer AGE Platform Europe