Older People urged to Move More to Live More Age NI and PHA launch online tool to help older people stay active to stay strong
As we age, our muscle strength decreases by around 1.5% every year, from the age of 50 – that’s 30% by the age of 70. This is accelerated by a lack of regular movement and it can increase rapidly when bedbound.
Northern Ireland’s leading charity for older people, Age NI, has teamed up with the Public Health Agency to launch Move More Live More, aimed at e [...]
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It is October so that must mean it is Positive Ageing Month!
There is a host of activities for older people planned to celebrate the contribution Belfast’s older citizens make to the city and their local communities.
Some Positive Ageing Month favourites like Chocolate Bingo, the Big Quiz and a Tea Dance will all be done virtually for older people to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes.
There will also be cookery demonstrations, shared reading, history talks, info sessions, an [...]
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The Belfast Warm and Well Project is available to vulnerable people who are finding it difficult to keep their home warm. Vulnerable refers to a number of different groups including:
People aged 65 years or older;
People living with a disability or a long term physical or mental health condition;
Pregnant women;
Households with a young child/children (from new-born to school age); and
People on a low income.
Signs that a person may be finding it difficult to keep their home w [...]
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Like many countries around the world, Northern Ireland had to lockdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic. We have listened to advice and stayed at home; this helped to reduce the spread of the virus and it reduced the pressure on our NHS, but it hasn’t been easy for older people and other age groups.
Age-friendly Belfast, as part of the Age Friendly Network NI have worked with The Healthy Ageing Research Group based at the University of Manchester and other Greater Manchester organisati [...]
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Age-friendly Belfast launches it’s new Pharmacy Charter
Pharmacists, local representatives and older people came together during Positive Ageing Month in October 2019 to launch the Age-friendly Belfast Pharmacy Charter.
Alderman Sonia Copeland welcomed people to the event and presentations included information on why the charter is needed, how to sign up, benefits to signing up, the importance of health literacy and developing dementia friendly pharmacies.
We have worked with pharma [...]
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An Age-friendly city is one in which people of all ages can actively participate, and where everyone is treated with respect, regardless of their age.
In May 2012 Belfast was the first city in Northern Ireland to join the World Health Organisation Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities and in 2017 we came to the end of our first age-friendly plan.
We reviewed our achievements and challenges and following public consultation we have launched our new plan. CLICK HERE
We ask [...]
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Nominations for Belfast Business awards 2018, organised by Belfast Chamber of Trade & Commerce are now open and Belfast Strategic Partnership is thrilled to sponsor the Best Age-friendly Business award!
This award will recognise those organisations and businesses who provide marvellous customer care for older people and value an age diverse workforce; in turn promoting a positive view of ageing.
Older people tend to be loyal customers and if your business is age-friendly you can attra [...]
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Do you have a suitable venue in the North or East of the city to host an Active Belfast Community Strength and Balance Training Programme? If so, read on.
Active Belfast would like to invite interested parties to complete an Expression of Interest Form [EOI Appendix 1, EOI Appendix 2] for the hire of community facilities to run Strength and Balance Training Programme for clients at risk of a fall / previously had a fall.
Physical activity referral is an Active Belfast initiative and off [...]
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Age-friendly Belfast Positive Ageing Month is taking place throughout October 2017.
This year's events and activities include many of our arts and community groups, venues, organisations and projects.
Have a look and see what's on offer | Age-friendly Belfast Positive Ageing Month Events Guide
Hopefully there is something for everyone and you will be able to come along to an event or activities and help celebrate Belfast as a city where older people can live life to the full.
For [...]
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The impact of poverty is intergenerational: it affects older and younger people. The Greater Belfast Seniors Forum and Belfast City Council Youth Forum with support from our Age-friendly Belfast team joined together to start an awareness raising campaign to bust the myths, challenge the stereotypes, influence decision makers and get people talking about poverty.
We want to send a clear message out that poverty is not a lifestyle choice and that people experiencing poverty contribute positivel [...]
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Danderball has arrived at Better and we want you to get involved.
Walking Football is similar to five-a-side football but the difference is that players are not allowed to run, jog or sprint whether on or off the ball.
Age-friendly Belfast in partnership with Better Leisure Centres, Belfast Community Sports Development Network and Irish Football Association are hosting an open session in Girdwood Hub on Thursday 19th January from 11am until 1pm.
Guest speakers and current participan [...]
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The December issue of our Age-friendly Belfast update is available to read online.
Highlights include coverage of the Age-friendly Belfast Older Volunteer Awards, an update on the Age-friendly Belfast charter, important information on how to stay safe this Winter and much more.
If you would like to be added to the mailing list for the Age-friendly Belfast Update please contact our Age-friendly Belfast team on 028 9050 2073 or email Anne Ross at anne.ross@bhdu.org.
&n [...]
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Danderball has arrived at Better and we want you to get involved!
Danderball is walking football, similar to five-a-side football but the difference is that players are not allowed to run, jog or sprint whether on or off the ball.
Age-friendly Belfast in partnership with Better Leisure Centres, Belfast Community Sports Development Network and the Irish Football Association are hosting an open session in Girdwood Community Hub on Thursday 19 January from 11am until 1pm.
Guest speakers and [...]
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Age-friendly Belfast is delighted the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has signed up to the age-friendly Charter.
The Charter was produced to help organisations and business to sign up to shared standards that will help make Belfast a city where older people live life to the full.
[caption id="attachment_2527" align="alignright" width="300"] Pictured (back row): Belfast Health and Social Care Trust staff, Dr Cathy Jack, Bryan Nelson, Marie Heaney. Front row: Rita Murray, Dr Michael McB [...]
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The East Belfast Dementia Friendly Steering Group has won the Dementia Friendly Community of the Year (City) award at Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friendly awards.
The steering group members work with people living with dementia in East Belfast, helping them feel valued, safe and supported to live full independent lives. Together they are working to increase awareness and understanding, inclusion and support for people living with dementia.
The focus of the group over the next six mo [...]
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Positive Ageing Month is a month-long festival of events and activities for older people.
It celebrates the contribution older people make to their communities and the city of Belfast.
Now in its second year, the festival includes activities to suit all tastes, from movies to walks, from chocolate tasting to disco dancing. It also includes lots of great arts and cultural activities in the city’s best known arts and heritage venues.
Booking for some events is essential, so please check [...]
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Bryson Energy in partnership with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust are providing a Home Safety Check & Handyman service for older people living in Belfast. The service is aimed at those over 65 years (or vulnerable adult) living in the Belfast City Council area. The service provides a free home safety check and reduced handyman repair rates, the service is available 9am - 5pm (excl public holidays).
The service for those age 65+ (or vulnerable adult) and in receipt of benefits are [...]
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The Age-friendly Belfast Older Volunteer Awards, supported by Volunteer Now, are an opportunity for Belfast-based community and voluntary groups and organisations to recognise their volunteers who are aged 60 years and over.
The awards celebrate the considerable contribution and positive impact that older volunteers make to the work of a wide variety of Belfast organisations and groups.
Nominations for the Age-friendly Belfast Older Volunteer Awards are now open.
This year’s award cat [...]
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Over the past few months we launched our living life to the full campaign.
It highlighted that older people work, volunteer, provide care and take part in community and family life.
We now want to find out how effective our campaign has been.
Please help us do this by completing our short questionnaire below.
Living Life to the Full – Online Survey
You can read about our contributors stories by clicking the links below
Eamon & Anne's Story
Sam's Story
Jane [...]
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Would you like to be a part of our 2017 Age-friendly Belfast calendar? Then read on!
In our last edition of our Age-friendly update we told you to look out for Age-friendly Belfast's Living Life to the Full campaign. It highlighted that older people work, volunteer, provide care and take part in community and family life.
We now want you to get involved by sending us a photo of you living life to the full. We'll then consider your photo for our 2017 calendar and let you know if you h [...]
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Eamon and Anne - “We’re here for our grandchildren as much as possible.”
Eamon and Anne are grandparents. Their daughter, Claire, is mum to two young children.
She works full-time so Eamon and Anne help out as much as possible. They help with the school-run, picking their grandchildren up and dropping them off to school.
They help with homework, shopping and meal times and always fun with their grandchildren along the way! [...]
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Sam Glenn, butcher, “I’m passing on my skills and experience.”
Sam is a butcher on the Shankill Road, Belfast.
Butchering is the only job he has ever had. Before he left school he was working in a butcher’s shop.
Sam his craft over 45 years ago and has passed these skills on to a couple of dozen people – including William (pictured) his future son-in-law.
Sam says: “It’s a pleasure for me to pass on 45 years of experience and hopefully someone will take over from [...]
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Janet - “My voluntary work helps people settle in to our culture.”
Janet taught Spanish and French for 30 years.
One day at a dance class she was asked if she could help teach English to speakers of other languages. She lived in Tanzania before and says she knows how difficult it is to settle into a new culture.
Janet says her voluntary work has taught her a lot. She has learned all sorts of tips from her students.
Volunteering has given Janet a new insight into other culture [...]
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Eleanor and Billy – “I’m helping him stay in our home.”
Husband and wife, Eleanor and Billy live together in their Belfast home.
Billy is in the early stages of Dementia. Billy goes to a day centre three times a week but for the rest of the time, Eleanor cares for him, on her own.
Eleanor does everything that is necessary to help Billy, from getting ready in the morning, making food and looking after his general wellbeing. [...]
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After the huge success of their Danderball sessions across the city Age-friendly Belfast are hosting a celebration event on Wednesday 2 March 2016, 12 noon to 2.00 pm in Girdwood Community Hub.
Come along to see for yourself how the game is played & receive more information on Danderball sessions in your local area!
For more information please download the Age-friendly Belfast Danderball Celebration Event Flyer or contact Anne Ross on email at anne.ross@bhdu.org o [...]
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The Belfast Strategic Partnership’s (BSP) Age-friendly Belfast team has launched a campaign today called ‘Living Life To The Full’.
The campaign aims to demonstrate how older people contribute to society through:
Working-older people are passing on their skills and contributing to the workplace
Volunteering – by giving their time and skills, older people are helping others in society and in their local communities
Caring – older people play a key role in helping their [...]
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Age-friendly Belfast Team would like to invite you to attend their Charter Breakfast on Tuesday 16 February 2016 in City Hall, Belfast
The Charter was produced to offer information to organisations who want to sign up to the teams age-friendly process and get involved in helping make Belfast even better for older people.
To book you place please contact Anne Ross on anne.ross@bhdu.org or tel 028 9050 2073
You can download a copy of the Age-friendly Charter here. [...]
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October is Positive Ageing Month and this festival is a celebration of the contributions older people have made and continue to make to their communities.
To mark this occasion Age-friendly Belfast alongside a number of city wide organisations are pleased to offer a host of FREE events and activities.
Our launch event on Friday 2 October in Belfast City Hall, banqueting hall from 10am - 12.30 pm will provide you with information about events to come and give you the opportunity to see [...]
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Volunteer Now are making a shout out all men aged 50+ who have some spare time on their hands and are willing to 'buddy' and support other more isolated men build their confidence in order to broaden their social networks and increase engagement with their peers.
Full training will be offered, so if you have 1-4 hours per week to spare please email Frank Johnston, Volunteer Now to register your interest frank.johnston@volunteernow.co.uk or telephone 028 9023 2020.
Further details can be fo [...]
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Come along and help us celebrate Sliver Sunday! Sliver Sunday is a UK wide initiative celebrating the values and knowledge older people contribute to our communities.
Ordinarily Sliver Sunday is celebrated on the first Sunday of October. This year however, we are please to announce, as part of our Positive Ageing Month campaign, dates will be extended throughout October, where we will offer you a number of exciting walking tours and activities.
A full list of dates and details can be foun [...]
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...if you answered yes then Danderball could be for you!
Danderball is a slow-paced version of football aimed at the over 50s, so if you thought your footballing days were over, then think again!
Danderball is designed to help people maintain an active lifestyle as well as encouraging those who have been injured back into the sport.
Age-friendly Belfast with support from Age Partnership Belfast encourage older people to get involved, meet new people and become part of a team.
Taster [...]
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The Belfast Strategic Partnership (BSP) Age-friendly Belfast team recently launched its Age-friendly Belfast Charter, asking Belfast organisations to sign up to help make it easier for older people to use services across the city. Translink were the first organization to sign-up to the charter.
The charter has been produced in response to older people in Belfast, who highlighted four key areas set out in the Charter:
Customer Care – older people would like staff in stores to be frie [...]
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The purpose of this event is to celebrate:
The contribution of older people in Belfast
To inform and showcase key progress on Age-friendly Belfast
To launch the Age-friendly Belfast Charter
There will also be an additional consultation session 1:30pm-2:30pm to talk about the new community planning duty for Belfast-we would like to hear your views on priorities for the City and what actions need to take place. The Community Planning Team would really appreciate if you were able to [...]
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