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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has launched its Positive Ageing Month celebrations with an event at The Quays Shopping Centre in Newry. The launch took place on International Day of Older People on 1 October and was organised by the Newry District Electoral Area (DEA) Forum. Further events will be held throughout the district right up to mid December.
Campbell (left) with Council Chairperson, Councillor Glyn Hanna. Included are
NMDDC officials Denise Cronan (Home Safety Officer), Catherine Lynch
(Well-Being Department), Tara Smyth (Age Friendly Co-ordinator), Alison Collins
(Senior Environmental Health and Wellbeing Officer) and Alannah Brennan
(Health Improvement Officer).
The programme is designed to celebrate senior citizens and the contribution they make, and to promote a society that works for people of all ages. Events, activities and programmes funded by the Public Health Agency will be hosted by the Council’s Newry, Downpatrick, Rowallane, Slieve Croob, Mournes, Crotlieve and Slieve Gullion DEAs.
Over the coming weeks, the events will give people the chance to discover activities, services and groups available in their local area. They also aim to foster social connections between local schools, health and social care providers and the Council, improve social connection and help reduce isolation among older people.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Glyn Hanna, said Positive Ageing Month is about recognising the contribution of older adults.
“Positive Ageing Month celebrates the wisdom, experiences and contributions of our older adults in our community,” he said.
Positive Ageing Month celebrations on International Day of Older People.
“We are hugely proud of our Positive Ageing Alliance and Strategy in partnership with many stakeholders in the statutory, community and voluntary sectors. Positive Ageing Month is not just about a specific period on the calendar, it’s about recognising that ageing is a natural part of life and a journey that we all embark on, each at our own pace.
“It’s a journey that is marked by resilience, courage and the accumulation of a lifetime of memories. Let us not forget that ageing is not a barrier to new beginnings and many of our older adults embark on exciting journeys of self-discovery and personal growth in their later years. Positive Ageing Month is about celebrating life itself, cherishing every moment along the way.”
Cllr Hanna thanked the Council’s partners for joining the launch, including the Public Health Agency, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Southern Age Well Network, Volunteer Now, Newry U3A and independent volunteers. He gave special thanks to students and teachers at St. Colman’s College, Newry, for donating their time to volunteer.
Siobhan Casey, Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, also attended the event.
“It was a real pleasure to attend this year’s Positive Ageing Celebration at The Quays in Newry. It was a wonderful way to honour the contribution that older people make to their communities. I would like to thank those who turned out to the event and the many organisations that hosted information stalls. Events like this make a real difference to older people in the community, offering an engaging and entertaining opportunity to connect older people and those who work in the many organisations and groups which offer them support.”
