Programme launched for Positive Ageing Month – October 2021

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and partners, Western Health and Social Care Trust, Public Health Agency and South West Age Partnership are working together to promote Positive Ageing Month throughout the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area during the month of October.

Launching the campaign, Siobhan O’Donnell, Western Health & Social Care Trust said:

“I am delighted to be launching this year’s Positive Ageing campaign.  It is a great opportunity to showcase the fantastic work being carried out on the ground by older people’s groups and community and voluntary organisations.  The programme of events that we have produced shows a variety of activities that exist throughout the Fermanagh and Omagh areas for older citizens.  In an ageing population, it is important we continue to work together to encourage older people to reach out and help them re-connect within their local community, not only to reduce social isolation and loneliness but to help them live long, healthy lives.  We also must not forget the valuable contribution older people make within our local communities.”

Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Councillor Errol Thompson said:

“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is a member of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Network for Age Friendly Cities and Communities and one of the themes of the Council’s new Draft Corporate Plan 2020 – 2024 and the Fermanagh and Omagh Community Plan 2030 is to help and encourage older people to lead more independent, engaged and socially connected lives.  Positive Ageing Month is one such initiative where, in association with its partners Western Health and Social Care Trust, South West Age Partnership and the Public Health Agency, the Council has put together an extensive array of events and workshops to promote this objective.”

Councillor Thompson added:

“This year has certainly been a challenging one and the Covid-19 pandemic has necessitated us all to re-evaluate our lives and adapt to a new normal. We have by circumstances been required to embrace a new way of living and working. I am delighted that the Council has been able to put together such a wide range of activities for you all to celebrate Positive Ageing Month which will be delivered live and online. I would encourage as many people as possible to participate in the events.”

Marj Aitken, Chair of South West Partnership said;

“Welcome one and all to Positive Ageing Month.  It’s truly amazing how quickly the year has gone.

I’ve been watching and listening from afar how SWAP and FODC have been working together, producing projects to help people keep in touch and engaged at home.  The very successful Happy at Home campaign last winter speaks for itself, living in our area of Fermanagh and Omagh we have been blessed with the range of activities available.  These ranged from mindfulness sessions, exercise programme, activity projects to people’s door, arts & craft programmes, gardening projects, meals programmes, afternoon teas and so much more.  All of these were carried out with the support of our local older people, working with us to plan events and activities.

The Happy at Home booklets were so beneficial for us and I was especially pleased to see the inclusion of nasturtium seeds in the last issue that people could plant and watch bloom.  We are grateful for all the support, encouragement and guidance.

I hope to see some of you through October, probably in a Zoom meeting but I hope we’re getting closer to being able to meet up safely in person again.”

For further information on the programme for Positive Ageing Month in the Fermanagh and Omagh district and how to book events, please click on this link.