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 2^nd 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.

It’s all change for the Befriending team at Engage with Age.  We say thank you to Eileen McQuillan who covered Sarah’s maternity leave, and wish Hannah Lockhart good luck as she goes for her maternity leave.  It’s a welcome back to Sarah Gordon who returns, and welcome to Sharyn Ruseckas who is covering Hannah’s maternity leave.

The Befriending Officer role is job shared between Sarah and Sharyn, and they can be reached telephone 07423 702721 or email befriending@engagewithage.org.uk

The Greater Belfast Seniors Forum (G6) has written to Department for Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd, urging him to keep the 60+ SmartPass.

While the NI Assembly was suspended the Department for Infrastructure carried out a consultation on possible cost-saving changes to the 60+ SmartPass scheme.  Over 20,000 people responded with overwhelming response to keep the 60+ SmartPass.

Now that the NI Assembly has resumed, G6 Chairperson Rita Murray wrote to Minister O’Dowd stating:  “  There are no positive aspects to withdrawing the 60+ SmartPass.  The negative impacts far out-weigh short-term benefit.  The stark choices for older people these days is to choose between:  Heat, Eat or Meet.  Please enable older people to support our economy and their own health.”

Minister O’Dowd has replied saying:  “While my intention is to retain the concession for the 60-64 group, decisions on future eligibility for concessionary fares must be affordable within the budget made available to the Department.”

To stay up to date with latest development, follow Engage with Age on its Facebook page at:  https://www.facebook.com/EngageWithAgeBelfast/

Engage with Age’s PAL Project is opening another new group, this time to support people living with dementia and their carers.  Carers Cafes have started springing up to provide support for people who are carers of people living with dementia.  There are carers cafes in East, South, North and West Belfast.

One issue that has arisen is that carers are sometimes unable to attend as they haven’t been able to get supervision of the person they care for while the carer is attending the café.

Engage with Age has teamed up with EBCDA and now offers the Open Doors Café which takes place alongside the Carers Café.  While carers go in to one room for respite and support, their loved one goes into a different room in the same venue to participate in fun activities such as crafts, music and conversation.  This means that both carers and those they look after can both enjoy some “me time”.

The first Open Doors Café is taking place on Tuesday 19^th March 2024 between 10.30am and 12noon in Walkway Community Centre, 1-9 Finvoy Street, Belfast  BT5 5DH.

Booking is important to we know haw many people to expect, so to book in call Paul on 07437 174793.

It’s time to get your glad rags and your dancing shoes on.  The Slipped Disco™ is back!  Join DJ Groover and DJ Rhythm Bandit for a Spring disco with the best music from the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

7.30-9.30pm, Monday 19^th February 2024

At the Oh Yeah Centre, 15-21 Gordon Street, Belfast BT1 2LG

For tickets call Engage with Age on 028 9073 5696

Or book online at:  https://slippeddiscofeb2024.eventbrite.co.uk

Admission free but booking is essential.

Can you spare as little as one hour a week to help brighten the lives of
older lonely people in Belfast?

Engage with Age is seeking volunteers to help run its PAL Project
activity groups and telephone befriending.

The “PAL” in the PAL Project stands for People Addressing Loneliness.
The project provides company and friendship for older people who have
experienced loneliness and isolation. The project has activity groups
that meet every week, and telephone befriending for older people who
want some company over the phone.

Volunteering with Engage with Age is a really easy and satisfying way to
improve the lives of older people. All volunteers are supported by staff
and the time commitment can be as little as one hour per week.
Pictured are Peter Newman and Alan Dawson, both volunteers. Alan
says: “Why not give volunteering a go. In my case I help organise a
walking group. We have a walk, have a talk, have a cuppa and make
new friends. I get a lot out of giving a bit of my time on a weekly basis.
What’s not to like!” 

To apply to become a group activities volunteer click here:
https://www.communityni.org/job/group-activities-volunteer

To apply to become a volunteer telephone befriender click here:
https://www.communityni.org/job/volunteer-telephone-befriender-0

The deadline for application is 29th February 2024.

If you would like to speak to someone about these roles, telephone
Engage with Age on 028 9073 5696.