parkrun Ireland and HSE Health & Wellbeing have worked side-by-side for many years to encourage people of every age and ability to get active. Their latest collaboration—the parkrun Dementia Manual—sets out simple, tested steps that event teams can take to create dementia-inclusive environments at the more than 110 parkrun events held across Ireland each Saturday. blog.parkrun.com
The 28-page guide explains how clear signage, calm briefings, volunteer buddy systems and thoughtful route design can help participants with dementia feel confident and safe. It also outlines the wider benefits of regular activity for brain health, mood and social connection and offers practical tips for carers, supporters and core teams.
Dr Seán O’Dowd, Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Lead for HSE National Dementia Services, welcomed the launch, saying:
“Staying active and connected are vital for both our brain health and our general wellbeing. Initiatives like the parkrun Dementia Manual demonstrate how simple, practical actions can make a big difference in encouraging people to continue with hobbies and interests—or to try something new.”
Dementia: Understand Together currently works with more than 60 partner organisations and over 1,600 community champions to raise awareness and reduce stigma. By embedding the manual’s recommendations, parkrun aims to build on this momentum, ensuring that people living with dementia can stay active, social and fully included in their local communities.
The manual is free to order in hard copy from the HSE Health Promotion website or can be downloaded directly as a PDF. parkrun event directors, volunteers, healthcare professionals and community groups are all encouraged to share and use the resource.
Order a printed copy: https://www.healthpromotion.ie/products/hse-your-parkrun-and-dementia-manual
Download the PDF: https://www.healthpromotion.ie/media/documents/HNC01762_HSE_Your_parkrun_and_Dementia_Manual_final.pdf