Positive Ageing Roadshows Launch
Age Friendly Ards and North Down, in partnership with Ards and North Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) and the Public Health Agency (PHA), will deliver several roadshow events for older people across the Borough in October…
All of the events will bring together a range of organisations that will provide information on community safety, home safety, how people can prepare for the winter and how they can keep active.
The events are being run as part of “Positive Ageing Month”, which is celebrated every year in October, and is a month-long campaign of events and activities that promote positive ageing as well as celebrating the contribution older people make to their communities.
A comprehensive programme has been developed in line with the PHA’s ‘Take 5 Steps’ to maintain mental wellbeing, that encourages older people to Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing: Be Active, Give, Connect, Keep Learning and Take Notice. These five steps built into our daily lives can help maintain and improve our health and emotional wellbeing.
The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Karen Douglas, said:
“As we are all aware, older people have been facing challenges with mental health, loneliness, and isolation due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the impact of cost of living which will undoubtedly get worse over the coming months.
“These events will give people the opportunity to get free practical advice and information on social and recreational activities, financial support, and assistance available, and how they can stay safe within their homes and within their local communities.”
PCSP Chair, Councillor Lauren Kendall, said:
“Ards and North Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) aims to make our neighbourhoods safer. We do this by focusing on the policing and community safety issues that matter the most to our residents.
“For many older people, crime and the fear of crime can be a major concern, so it is important that steps are taken to support and protect potentially vulnerable people within our local community. Developing initiatives like the Positive Ageing roadshow events can help to reduce crime and the fear of crime by educating and informing people about a range of crime prevention and safety issues such as scams, anti-social behaviour and how people can keep themselves safe within their own homes.”
Rachel O’Reilly, Senior Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Officer at the PHA, said:
“Empowering older people to live healthier and more fulfilling lives is crucial to maintaining and improving their wellbeing. It can help reduce isolation, become more active and forge important connections beneficial to mental health.
“The support of the Ards and North Down Age Friendly initiative and these roadshow events will equip older people across Ards and North Down with valuable information, support and activities to help address their issues and reduce the potential impact of health inequalities.”
The Positive Ageing Roadshows will take place on:
- Wednesday 5 October 2022, 11am- 2pm, Queen’s Hall, Newtownards
- Friday 14 October 2022, 11am- 2pm, Bangor Elim Church
- Wednesday 19 October 2022, 11am- 2pm, Comber Leisure Centre
- Friday 28 October 2022, 11am- 2pm, Kircubbin Community Centre
Attendees must register at least one week before their chosen event and are encouraged to attend by themselves or with a friend. Everyone is welcome.
To register, email your contact details (and those of your friend, if applicable) to agefriendly@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk. Please also advise if special assistance is required or if you have any dietary requirements. Alternatively, call 0300 013 3333 (ext. 40336) or 07741 103277 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am - 10.30am only).
For more information about October’s Positive Ageing Month, visit Positive Ageing Month.