As we come to the end of the year we’d like to thank everyone who has supported Engage with Age this year. Everyone who has attended a session made an artwork, danced a dance with us, volunteered and telephoned as a befriender, our funders, supporters, the venues and community centres we use every week, our partner organisations, and our board and staff. We would like to wish everyone good wishes over the festive season and wish you all a happy 2025.
We are delighted to welcome Colin McKinty who has joined Engage with Age as our new Development Officer for South Belfast. Colin McKinty has worked with a range of community and voluntary organisations in Northern Ireland. He has worked with Headway (the brain injury charity), Glebe House, and most recently NI Environment Link. His work has included working with older people, delivering mental health programmes, and environmental and nature projects.
You can reach Colin by email and phone: colin.mckinty@engagewithage.org.uk telephone 028 9073 5696/ 07468 695593
Just when you thought it was safe to dance!!!
It’s back and it’s super spooky.
The Spooky Slipped Disco
7.30 pm Wednesday 30th October 2024
At the Oh Yeah Centre, 15-21 Gordon Street, Belfast BT1 2LG
To book your tickets call Engage with Age on 028 9073 5696
Or book online at: https://TheSpookySlippedDisco2024.eventbrite.co.uk
Full bar, fancy dress encouraged!
Engage with Age’s Dementia Friendly Artist in Residence programme has its exhibition on tour, visiting 2 Royal Avenue.
The “Presence in the Past” exhibition has been to Saintfield Road Library, the Skainos Centre, Holywood Arches Library, and throughout October will visit 2 Royal Avenue in Belfast’s City Centre.
The exhibition is a collection of work made by people living with dementia, facilitated by Artist in Residence Anna O’Kane. The artworks are in a range of media and all are inspired by the memories and interests of the participants. Participants have come from five centres in Belfast – Sydenham Court Support Living Centre, Kirk House, Edgecumbe Day Centre, Mount Oriel Day Centre, and City Way Day Centre.
“Presence in the Past” is at 2 Royal Avenue 1st – 31st October 2024, with the venue open 10am – 6pm daily.
October sees an incredible array of activities for older people through Belfast City Council’s Positive Ageing Month, which runs from 1st-31st October.
This year’s programme has a significant mix of activities which include dances, talks, crafts, and film screenings. As ever there are also session on advice and benefits, support with IT, and health talks and workshops.
Most of the events are free of charge, with only minimal charges for a small number of events.
To look at the full programme, click here: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/937679580/
For further information telephone 028 9032 0202
At the Oh Yeah Centre
7.30pm Monday 26th August 2024
What a summer we’re having!!! Get your shades and flip flops on and join us at the Summer Slipped Disco at the Oh Yeah Centre. Get that “life’s a beach” feeling with the best music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. And with this being an indoor event, rain will definitely not stop play! With DJs Groover and Rhythm Bandit and a full bar.
To book telephone Engage with Age on 028 9073 5696.
Book online by clicking: https://summerslippeddisco.eventbrite.co.uk
Engage with Age has a wonderful array of activities lined up for September, presented at Finaghy Community Centre in partnership with Belfast City Council and Forward South.
A whole range of activities are available. On Tuesdays there are sessions including yoga, boccia and arts and crafts, and on Wednesdays there are classes in using IT/ computers, and also cookery. The whole programme culminates with a Health and Wellbeing Day between 12-3pm on Wednesday 2nd October 2024.
Booking is essential as places are limited, but all activities are offered free of charge. To book, telephone 028 9062 0474.
It is Volunteers’ Week at the start of June 2024, and we have a huge number of wonderful volunteers who are crucial to making our work take place.
Volunteers’ Week recognises the contribution volunteers make to our society. In the case of Engage with Age, volunteers help run groups, pick up the phone as befrienders, and help support our activities in our offices. Our volunteers are busy helping to make life better for the older people who benefit from our activities. Quite simply, our volunteers make life better for older people who need a bit of company and a bit of crack.
We would like to say a heart-felt thank you to everyone who gives their time and helps make life better.
Volunteering with Engage with Age is easy. With as little as one hour per week you can make a real difference to the lives of older people in Belfast. If you would like to join our merry band of committed volunteers call Engage with Age on 028 9073 5696 or email info@engagewithage.org.uk
Engage with Age’s PAL Project has started a new range of groups in the South Belfast area.
Monday mornings see walks in Botanic Gardens for those who want to stretch their legs and feel the breeze about their ears! On Tuesday afternoons a new Dance Group has started at Morton Community Centre. Every Friday a new Keep In Touch social group has started up at Finaghy Community Centre.All groups are free of charge to attend and everyone is welcome.
To sign up to attend or to find out more, contact Paul on telephone 07436 174793 or email palproject@engagewithage.org.uk
The Northern Ireland Assembly held a debate today on the importance of establishing a Loneliness Strategy to support people affected by the growing issue of loneliness.
The All Party Group on Loneliness at Stormont has been working for several years to address the impact of loneliness and isolation on people of all ages. A wide range of organisations support this All Party Group including health agencies, charities, community groups, and agencies such as the NI Federation of GPs. Engage with Age has been a long-term supporter of this initiative and is part of the Action Committee.
A lengthy debate was held in the Assembly, and there was universal support for creating a loneliness strategy that will work across all areas of government including housing, education, health and infrastructure.
Engage with Age can accept referrals of individual older people aged 50+ who are at risk of loneliness and social isolation, inviting them to participate in group activities. Engage with Age offers one-to-one telephone befriending support for individual older people but does not currently provide in person visits to individual older people. To make a referral please complete the on-line Referral Form and submit or alternatively please print off a copy of the PDF Referral Form and send it to us. See also the Referral Criteria for details of who can be referred.
Referral Form Referral Criteria