THE Western Trust in partnership with lead partners Derry City and Strabane District Council, Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, South West Age Partnership, Public Health Agency and other community and voluntary organisations are working together to promote Positive Ageing Month throughout the west in October 2019.
Speaking at the launch in the Northern Sector of the Western Trust, the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Michaela Boyle said she was honoured to launch the Positive Ageing Month Programme. “I am hugely supportive of any organisation or initiative that works with older people to provide them with help and support and encourage them to be an integral part of our local communities.
“One of my Mayoral initiatives is the monthly Tea Dances that are held in the Guildhall and at other venues across the Council area, where I get to meet with older people who come together for an afternoon of music, dance and reminiscing.
“It’s a very important event in the Mayor’s Diary and a very popular occasion for the local community who take part.
“A key element of the Council’s Strategic Growth Plan is to promote health and wellbeing and to engage with older people to improve their health and social skills that will ultimately benefit their overall physical, mental and emotional health.
“I fully support Positive Ageing Month and wish everyone associated with it the best of luck.”
Speaking at the launch of Positive Ageing Month in the Southern Sector of the Western Trust, the Vice Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Diana Armstrong, said:
“The Council, as a key partner contributing to delivery of the Community Plan ‘Fermanagh and Omagh 2030’, has aligned its services and activities to deliver the eight long-term agreed outcomes set out in plan, four of which focus on people and community. While three of the outcomes are applicable to all ages one applies specifically to older people; encouraging and empowering them to lead more independent, engaged and socially connected lives.
“The success of the inaugural Positive Ageing Month last year demonstrates the benefits of working in partnership with other key stakeholders to improve the quality of life of the people of the district.
“The Council is pleased to work in partnership with a number of organisations this year again to showcase the various activities and programmes available for older people and I encourage as many people as possible to embrace the opportunity to attend the organised events as part of the programme.”
Positive ageing month takes into consideration the 5 steps to wellbeing, Be Active, Connect, Take Notice, Give and Keep Learning.
This PHA initiative shows that if these 5 simple steps are built into our daily lives they can help maintain and improve emotional health and wellbeing. Positive ageing activities include tea dances, walking groups, knit and knatter groups, dance classes, yoga, IT support, Tai Chi, Men’s Shed, Art Classes, etc. Hopefully there will be something to suit everyone.
Vincent Ryan, Assistant Director for Primary Care and Older Peoples Services at the Western Trust said: “Positive Ageing Month captures a snapshot of older people groups and activities that exist throughout the Fermanagh Omagh Area.
“In an ageing population, it is important we continue to work together to encourage older people to reach out and connect with their local community, not only to reduce social isolation and loneliness but to support them to live, long healthy lives.
“We also must not forget the valuable contribution older people give within our local communities and that without them many groups would not exist.”
South West Age Partnership added: ‘Positive Ageing Month is our chance to tell the story of the wonderful work taking place across Fermanagh and Omagh with older people.
“We hope it will encourage older people to become more engaged and socially active in their local community, not just in October but throughout the year.”
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