Older Residents Invited to Share Their Wisdom Through Poetry
27th February 2026
Older people across the Fermanagh and Omagh District are being invited to take part in a new poetry project celebrating 10 years of Community Planning.
“The Wisdom We Share” is a special poetry initiative led by the Fermanagh and Omagh Community Planning Partnership, as part of the Shaping Our Future Together programme. The project celebrates the voices, experiences and wisdom of older residents from across the district.
Participants are encouraged to submit original poems reflecting on:
· Lessons learned over the past ten years
· Hopes for the future of their community
· Belonging, heritage and what “home” means
· Intergenerational relationships and community spirit
· Change, growth and resilience
There is no restriction on poetic style. Poems can be traditional, free verse or storytelling, with the emphasis on personal reflection.
Chair of the Fermanagh and Omagh Community Planning Partnership, Councillor Errol Thompson said: “Community Planning is about listening to people and learning from lived experience. Older residents have helped shape our communities over many decades, and this project gives them a meaningful opportunity to share their wisdom, stories and hopes for the future.”
Vice Chair of the Partnership, Allison Forbes and lead for the project representing South West Aging Partnership (SWAP) added: “This initiative recognises the important contribution older people make to community life. By sharing their voices through poetry, we are capturing experiences that will inspire future generations and strengthen the sense of belonging across our district.”
Selected poems will be published in a printed anthology titled “The Wisdom We Share”, which will act as a lasting community record.
A celebration event and poetry reading will be held to launch the anthology, bringing together contributors, families and community representatives.
How to take part
Closing date: 26 March 2026 Email: julie.matthews@fermanaghomagh.com Jotform: https://form.jotform.com/260554924720053
Post: The Grange, Mountjoy Road, Omagh, BT79 7BL