Engage with Age is further developing its offerings for people affected by Dementia.

We have started a new fortnightly coffee morning group called the Tea Party. The Tea Party is held every first and third Tuesday of the month in 248 East Bistro, which is at 248 Newtownards Road Belfast. It’s a simple get together with coffee and tea, and perhaps a game or two.

For those attending who have a dementia diagnosis, this group us suitable for people with mild to moderate dementia, and everyone attending must be able to either attend on their own or have a carer/ friend to provide support (this activity doesn’t have staff to support participants).

If you would like further information please contact Martin Towers at Engage with Age on 028 9073 5696/ martin.towers@engagewithage.org.uk 

We are definitely getting into the seasonal swing of things. The Belfast East Seniors Forum and South Belfast Lifestyle Forum combined forces to hold a joint forums Xmas party. An incredible time was had by all, with a delicious Christmas Dinner, music and dancing. Here’s to the festive season.

Does using your iPad or tablet leave you feeling confused? Would you like to learn to be able to connect with family and friends online, pay bills, or just enjoy television programmes and books?

Engage with Age is offering iPad training for older people. Facilitated by staff from the A and I Goodbody Solicitors practice, we are able to offer a four-session programme to help you navigate your way around your device. Before you know it, you’ll be an IT and internet wiz!

To join in contact Cathy Chambers on 07468 695593 or email cathy.chambers@engagewithage.org.uk

Engage with Age facilitated a “secret shopping” trip to test the effectiveness of the new Glider bus service. Four older people caught the Glider in Belfast City Centre and travelled to Dundonald Park and Ride at the Glider’s furthest east stop, and then all the way West to McKinstry Road.

The feedback from the “secret shoppers” will inform a response to the Glider by the Greater Belfast Seniors Forum (G6) and will be passed on to Translink. This is part of the G6’s ongoing promotion of the needs of older people regarding transport in Belfast.

Engage with Age is exhibiting a range of artwork made as part of its TESA DRI research programme.

The TESA DRI programme has been collecting data from people living with dementia on how technology is impacting and assisting their lives. Engage with Age is a research partner of the programme which is lead by Ulster University. Part of the research process has involved facilitated art and crafting sessions lead by artist Anna O’Kane. As well as providing information, the sessions resulted in the creation of artworks.

The TESA DRI Exhibition is presented at Holywood Arches Library throughout May 2018.

Engage with Age’s new programme “The PAL Project” has commenced. The PAL Project seeks to alleviate the impact of loneliness and isolation on older people.

Following on from the HOPE Programme, the PAL Project engages older people in activity groups which are lead by the older people themselves. The type of activities is determined by participants with a view to offering ongoing engagement and enabling older people to increase their social connections. Underpinning the whole programme is the ethos of enjoyment and fun.

The PAL Project is delivered by Martin Towers at Engage with Age.

To find out more or to become involved please contact Martin on martin.towers@engagewithage.org.uk or call 028 9073 5696.

Belfast City Council’s Home Safety Officer, Aoife McAteer, in conjunction with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Podiatry Department, Engage with Age and Volunteer Now have co-ordinated a “Foot Care for Falls Prevention” project.

The Public Health Agency funded project will be delivered to over 600 seniors from 38 community groups across Belfast by March. During the events; the Podiatrist from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust discussed foot pain, provided advice on how participants can manage foot pain and discussed the importance of good supportive footwear. The participants were given the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the event.

Looking after your feet is an important factor in reducing the risk of a fall. About one third of people over the age of 65 fall each year, yet around 50 percent of falls are known to be preventable.

The sessions are fully subscribed, however, if you would like information on preventing a fall or to be referred to a range of services for older people (including the Belfast Home Safety check and Repair Service) contact the Home Safety officer, Aoife McAteer on 028 9027 0428 or email mcateera@belfastcity.gov.uk

Spending time together is always fun, more so sometimes if it’s while wearing fancy dress, enjoying tea and cake, and listening to music and dancing. A wonderful time was had by about 100 older people enjoying Engage with Age’s Halloween Tea Dance. Attendees enjoyed tea and refreshments, games and trick or treating, and music from Rosie Hunter.

To find out more about our activities call Engage with Age on 028 9073 5696 or email info@engagewithage.org.uk

Engage with Age and its partners in the Greater Belfast Seniors Forum (G6) have been all aboard on celebrating “The Big Lunch” on a trip by train up to the North West. The Big Lunch aims to bring people together to enjoy social company. The G6 represents older people’s groups from all over Belfast and older people from all over the city used their hard-earned concessionary travel passes for a day out on the train. What a wonderful way to spend a summer’s day!

The Dementia Friendly East Belfast campaign was formally launched at the start of May 2017. The campaign is a collaboration between leading agencies and organisations that seek to support people affected by Dementia.

Dementia Friendly East Belfast aims to make East Belfast a friendlier place for people living with dementia, their family friends and carers, and for older people.

Organisations involved include Dementia NI, Alzheimer’s Society, East Belfast Community Development Agency, Linking Generations, the Belfast Health Trust, Public Health Agency, and many more. Engage with Age co-chairs the campaign along with East Belfast Community Development Agency.

For more information please call Engage with Age on 028 9073 5696, email dementiafriendlyeastbelfast@gmail.com or log on to the Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/DementiaFriendlyEastBelfast