The Freebird Club is the Dublin based start–up which aims to disrupt the traditional notion of ageing by mobilizing and fostering connections between older people, and championing a new caring approach to the sharing economy.
It launched officially at the beginning of April at Airfield Estate in Dundrum, Dublin. Numerous guests, including Freebird Club members, representatives of age organizations such as Age Action and Third Age, public institutions and journalists were welcomed by the start–up team in the charming and evocative setting of Airfield food gardens.
In congratulating the initiative, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor said:
“I’m not the only one that thinks yours is a very good idea”, pointing at the numerous awards won by the start–up already, including the European Commission’s Social Innovation Competition.
She said: “I am continually surprised by the novel and innovative ideas entrepreneurs come up with for businesses. Yours is certainly that. Offering independent seniors options for affordable social travel is a great way of helping them to remain engaged and connected.”
The Freebird Club already has 1,000 users across 34 countries, and its global ambitions are impressive. Founder Peter Mangan said: “We are a real ‘heart and soul’ venture which aims to connect older people in very real ways that can improve quality of life and well–being. We seek to create an international community which provides opportunities to enjoy the world around us regardless of age”.
Mangan saw the potential of a “social Airbnb for seniors” to connect and empower older adults in new ways. The start–up takes ‘sharing economy’ principles and applies them to address social issues such as loneliness and financial sustainability for older people.
The online community platform, which Mangan developed with tech partner Nga–Hong Lau, allows like–minded members, ‘Freebirds’, to interact, travel and stay in each other’s homes. The club offers a new way of travelling for older adults, a means to unlock some of the asset value of their homes and earn extra income, as well as a fun and accessible way to meet new people, promote social and cultural interaction in later life.
Mangan came up with the idea when he started renting out his cottage in County Kerry, and his semi–retired father was on hand to meet and greet visitors on their arrival. It was clear that Mangan Senior enjoyed the interaction, and ended up befriending many of the people who came to stay; particularly some of the older guests, whose feedback on the social dimension of their visits was exceptional.
Awards
Winner of the Best Innovation at DLR County Enterprise Awards 2017 and the European Social Innovation Competition in November 2015.