Craigavon and Banbridge Ageing Well

Ageing Well has been operating within the Craigavon and Banbridge area through a partnership between Age Concern Northern Ireland and Craigavon and Banbridge Community Health and Social Services Trust since 1999.

In that period the work has gone from strength to strength with 72 groups now affiliated to the Ageing Well Network in the area. The programme aims to achieve increased social participation and inclusion of older people, enhanced health awareness, the building of social capital amongst community and older peoples groups and the empowerment of older people.

Key highlights for the year have included:

• 16 Over 50’s trained as Chair Based Activity Leaders to provide chair based activities in Residential Homes in 2006;

• Community Pharmacy Scheme delivering information and awareness around a range of health issues including Medicine Management,

• Creative writing programme with carers of people with Dementia delivered by an Actively Ageing Well Creative Writing group, the ‘Bannside Scribblers’. The group worked with past & present carers sharing experiences and memories which were depicted through a quilt and an anthology. These sessions served as a therapeutic intervention, providing support to carers.

• P.A.L.S. (Pensioners Actively Lobbying Society) group established to enable older people to comment upon and ensure their voices are heard in relation to Trust Service delivery.
  
  
• Support with group development and group skills.

If you would like further information of our work in the Craigavon and Banbridge area, please contact the Community Development and Health Department.