Jack Roche

SAOI Network/ IRD Duhallow, Mallow, Co. Cork

Jack is the chairperson of the SAOI Network in Duhallow in North Cork. The SAOI Network is an initiative of IRD Duhallow (Integrated Resource Development Duhallow). The SAOI Network represents 16 actively retired groups in Duhallow and takes its name from the Irish word “saoi” meaning experience and wisdom gained with age. As chairperson he ensures that the network promotes and values the role and contribution of older people in the region through co-ordinating the efforts of locally established groups to develop a regional response to their varying needs. He is a member of his local actively retired group ‘The Young At Heart Club’ and promotes participation amongst all retired people in the community. He has a very strong sense of community spirit and believes that no one should be excluded from his or her community due to their rural location. Additionally, he sees it as very important that the traditions and skills that older people have, such as storytelling and the Irish language, are preserved into the future and are not lost. Among his many voluntary initiatives he has worked to reduce isolation, increase safety in the home and provide social interaction for older people who might have very few visitors in the week. Jack also played a vital role in the development of a community food centre in the Duhallow region which provides meals on wheels to older and disabled people. Jack recognises that for something to be done at a local level it takes local people to stand up and respond to their own needs. His impact on the lives of the older people in Duhallow is enormous, and he has played a crucial role in strengthening the local community through his work.

“I would like to thank the Board, Management and staff of our local action group IRD Duhallow for their commitment and hard work in the development of our own area and its communities, including my own community in Rockchapel; especially the members of our Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann group and particularly our young artists, their parents and teachers. It has been my privilege to be associated with you all over the years, together we are making a difference.” – Jack

Photograph by Maureen McDonnell