Innovator accolade for Summerhill"s Mary Nally

Summerhill"s Third Age Foundation"s founder and chairperson Mary Nally has been awarded the Individual Innovator of the Year award at this year"s Vodafone Innovation in Government Awards. The awards, which were presented by Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of An Taoiseach, Pat Carey, seek to recognise excellence and creativity for innovative initiatives in the public sector. A native of Meath, Mary Nally is the founder and current chairperson of the Third Age Foundation and chief executive officer of the Senior Help Line. She has been instrumental in the establishment of many innovative initiatives and projects based on the actual needs of older people. This includes delivering improved facilities and providing greater opportunities for older people, which focus on life-long learning, health, community development, volunteering, social inclusion, challenging attitudes and influencing policy. Some projects in which she has been closely involved include the Senior Help Line, Internet Café for Older People, Tone Zone and Trauma Teddies Project. She has also forged links between older people"s groups across the European Union. Commenting on the Vodafone Innovation in Government Awards and the respective finalists, Taoiseach Brian Cowen congratulated the award winners for their innovation and determination to improve the value and impact of public services across all sectors. The event, which took place in Dublin Castle, was attended by over 200 representatives across the public sector.