On Monday the 25th June, 2007 the Third Age Foundation hosted a visit from the Chair of Intel Corporation, Global, Mr. Craig Barrett.  Mr. Barrett was accompanied by the General Manager and Global Director of Intel Health Research and Innovation Group Mr. Eric Dishman, The General Manager of Intel Ireland Jim O’Hara and other guests including Professor Eamon O’Shea of NUI Galway. The purpose of their visit was to experience the Third Age Foundation ethos first hand.  

“At the Third Age Foundation we focus on the provision of services and activities that meet the needs of older people, the uniqueness of what we do stems from the fact that older people contribute to the wider community through their actions as older volunteers” – Mary Nally, Chairperson, Third Age Foundation.

Many of the activities, services and facilities that the Third Age Foundation provides are developed as a result of actual rather than perceived needs, derived through consultation with older people. At the TAF, older people are provided with choices and options in relation to the services, facilities and activities that they wish to avail of. Those that were showcased for this prestigious event included Senior Help Line (a confidential listening service for older people provided nationwide by older volunteers for the price of a local call to 1850 440 444, seven days a week), The Failte Isteach Project (conversational English classes for non-Irish nationals provided by older volunteers), the Knitting/Trauma Teddies Project (older volunteers teaching children from our local school the art of knitting to produce comfort toys which are donated to the National Ambulance Service for children travelling to hospital via ambulance), Internet Café for older people, Laundry service, Go for Life (exercise and activity programme for older people), the Combined Choral Group (long stay residents of St. Joseph’s Hospital, Trim, the traveller community and local older people sharing a common passion for music), The St. Joseph’s Hospital Project. All of which are made possible by the Third Age Centre Bus.

Speaking about the Foundation, Mary Nally said “It has made a real difference to the lives of all those involved, older people, members of the traveller community, long stay residents from our local nursing home, new migrants and local children. It was a great honour to learn that Mr. Barrett and Intel, were interested in learning more about the activities and programmes that we have developed for and with older people”

Intel Ireland is currently working with the Third Age Foundation on a number of research projects.