‘Happy at Home’ initiative returns to support older residents through the winter months
6th December 2021
‘Happy at Home’ newsletters and Age Friendly calendars are now available to help to support older residents through the winter months.
Produced by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in partnership with the Western Health and Social Care Trust and South West Age Partnership, the ‘Happy at Home’ newsletters provide a range of short activities for residents to enjoy. The initiative is funded through the Department for Communities Covid Recovery Fund.
The newsletter is full of helpful contact details and information on a variety of topics including shopping safely online, efficient home heating and even a few Christmas jokes. A further ‘Happy at Home’ booklet will be produced Spring 2022.
An Age Friendly Calendar 2022 for older people has also been produced in partnership with the Council and the Western Health and Social Care Trust, South West Age Partnership, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and the Public Health Agency.
Funded by the Department of Health through the Western Protect Life Implementation Group, the calendar addresses emotional health in later years, encouraging older people to take five simple steps to improve their wellbeing – connect, be active, take notice, keep learning, give.
The calendar will be distributed to 10,000 older people’s homes across the Western Trust area and includes photographs and artwork created by older people as part of a recent competition titled “My Happy Place”.
The winner for the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area was a painting called ‘The Dormouse’ by Omagh resident Margaret Scott. This image has been used as the December illustration in the calendar as well as the cover photo of current edition of ‘Happy at Home’.
Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Errol Thompson, welcomed the initiative saying;
“The last 18 months have been particularly challenging for all of us irrespective of age. We are living in unprecedented times. As we journey through winter, when we usually spend more time at home, I am pleased to see the “Happy at Home” initiative and Age Friendly Calendar, making a return following its successful roll out last year.
This initiative will help older people to stay informed and connected through a range of activities, events and programmes included within the publications.”
Seamus Ward, Head of Health and Improvement, Equality and Involvement at the Western Health and Social Care Trust, said:
“The Western Health & Social Care Trust is delighted once again to be working in partnership with Fermanagh & Omagh District Council and South West Age Partnership to issue the ‘Happy at Home Initiative’ and the ‘Age Friendly Calendar”.
As the nights get shorter and we find ourselves indoors more, I hope that these publications will provide lots of useful information and activities to keep the older population of Fermanagh and Omagh occupied over the winter months. Remember to follow the most up to date COVID advice and guidance to stay safe and well.”
Speaking about the Happy at Home newsletter and calendar, Marj Aiken, Chair of South West Age Partnership said:
“I’m delighted to welcome into our community the new Happy at Home booklet for 2021/2022. Just in time to give us all reminders on how to stay safe and happy at home and full of great information on how to watch out for those unexpected little accidents. There are also lots of pointers to get help and super ideas to keep us entertained throughout the darker days.”
Happy at Home newsletters and Age Friendly calendars are available to download from the Council website at www.fermanaghomagh.com. Hard copies are available on request by emailing age.friendly@fermanaghomagh.com or contacting Allison Forbes at South West Age Partnership (SWAP) on
aforbes@southwestagepartnership.co.uk or by telephoning Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Community Services team on 0300 303 1777 or Allison Forbes at SWAP on 028 8225 1824.