Positive Ageing Month - October 2021

Positive

Ageing Month October 2021

MAKING A DIFFERENCE TO PEOPLE’S LIVES

October is Positive Ageing Month!

To celebrate the contribution that older people make to the local community and our Borough, we have a range of online events and activities for you to enjoy throughout the month of October.

People of all ages are welcome to take part and enjoy them. Some of the events require pre-booking so please read through what it on offer and plan your chosen activity.

Northern Ireland Centenary: Looking Back….

Stepping Forward with Our Seniors Project Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in partnership with local award-winning theatre company, c21, are excited to collaborate with interested parties willing to share their stories for this unique project. This Reminiscence Project will celebrate older people and capture their untold stories in oral recordings for dramatic interpretation.

Have you or your group got a story from the past 100 years worthy of sharing with your wider council community? We want to hear stories that celebrate your identity and that of your forefather’s, stories from the community and characters past and present.

Contact c21 Theatre Company now to get involved: E. c21theatreproducer@gmail.com or T. 07889 883 029

Move with Mary Age NI and Lady Mary Peters have launched an exercise programme aimed at keeping older people moving while staying at home. Move with Mary is a series of five free online exercise videos for every capability, ranging from seated stretches to strength, balance and aerobic exercises.

To get more information and to watch the videos visit www.ageni.org/movewithmary

Fire Safety Do you know that NI Fire and Rescue Service offer FREE fire safety check for anyone over the age of 50?

During the visit they will either fit a smoke alarm or show you how to test your existing smoke alarm, explain the potential fire risks in your home, provide fire safety advice and explain the importance of having a night time fire safety routine and a fire escape plan.

For more information or to apply for a fire safety check visit www.nifrs.org

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Walking in our Borough

Photography Workshops

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging older adults who might not be as active as they were before the pandemic to gradually and safely build exercise back into their daily routine. One of the activities recommended is going for a walk in a local park. Why not take a walk in one of our local parks or walking routes across the Borough?

For more information visit antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/walking

Dementia Awareness Session

Thursday 7 October, 10am - 1pm, Mossley Mill Greenway Thursday 14 October, 10am - 1pm, Monkstown Wood Come along and capture the beauty of these locations while learning about photography at a free photography workshop delivered by Belfast Exposed Photography in partnership with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

No photography experience is needed and a camera can be provided to anyone who need one, or simply come along with your phone and enjoy the morning out.

Tuesday 5 October, 10am - 11am A short awareness talk for anyone who wants to understand more about what it is like to live with dementia or care for someone living with dementia. Learn about types of dementia, signs and symptoms, and small things you can do in your community to make a positive difference for people living with the condition.

To book, or for more information, please email: julie.morton@alzheimers.org.uk

Linking Generations NI Wednesday 6 October, 10.30am Log on and find out more about Linking Generations NI and how they can support you with intergenerational work.

To book please visit www.linkinggenerationsni.com/ event/lgni-positive-generationsshowcase

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Chocolate Bingo Thursday 7 October, 7.30pm - 8.30pm Eyes down, let’s play Bingo. Every winner wins chocolate. Via “Zoom” video call.

To register T. 028 9073 5696 or E. eamon.quinn@engagewithage.org.uk

Television Catch Up Wednesday 6 October, 2pm - 3pm Missed your favourite television programme? There are several free and subscription applications which allow you to watch programmes at your leisure or on the go. Log on and learn all about them.

To book T. 07843 339159 or E. joanne.brown@librariesni.org.uk

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Dying To Talk Webinar (The importance of being prepared)

Deafblind Convention Thursday 7 October, 9am - 5pm You’re invited to the Deafblind Convention 2021 - Living better with sight and hearing loss. Deafblind UK is hosting the UK’s first virtual deafblind convention and we’d love you to join us from the comfort of your own home.

We have a packed agenda featuring world class speakers from across the globe, all with the shared interest of helping people to live better with sight and hearing loss.

To find out more information and to register visit www.deafblind.org.uk/events

Wednesday 13 October, 10.30am - 12pm A range of speakers to help you positively plan for your end of life. We plan for the beginning of lives so why not the end? This conference is a regional event for Positive Ageing month.

For more information and registration visit www.bit.ly/DyingToTalkTickets

Cyber Security event for older adults Friday 15 October, 10am - 11am

Together with Music

Learn about your iPad

Friday 8 October, 11.30am

Tuesday 12 October, 11am - 12pm

Enjoy a virtual regional sing a long event for older people within Northern Ireland.

To register T. 07951 736 905 or E. caitlyn@togetherwithmusic.org.uk

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Learn more about your iPad camera settings: live, time lapse, panoramic and more.

For more information or to book E. Sheila.Mclean@librariesni.org.uk or T. 07912 296792

Now that people are spending so much time online, it’s more important than ever to know how to keep your personal information secure and private.

Join All-State cyber security presenters Garreth and Anuradha for this free online zoom session and discover the useful hints and tips to protect your data.

Meeting ID: 928 1592 5034 Passcode: 927442

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Restart a Heart Day Saturday 16 October You are never too old to save a life.

16 October is Restart A Heart Day - a day celebrated globally to raise awareness of CPR and Cardiac Arrest.

Do you know the difference between Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack?

A Cardiac Arrest is an electrical problem. The person will most likely be unconscious. Call 999, Start CPR. A Heart Attack is a circulation problem.

The person will most likely be conscious. Call 999, Stay Calm.

To learn more about Cardiac Arrest and CPR watch the video via the link below or visit the British Heart Foundation Website – www.bhf.org.uk www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lMiXJH_bw4

Antrim and Newtownabbey Virtual Reminiscence Event

Make the Call, Benefit Check Thursday 21 October, 10am

Wednesday 20 October, 2pm

Want to make sure you’re getting all the benefits, services and supports you’re entitled to?

Outreach Officer Michael is connecting with groups to offer a virtual reminiscence workshop.

Join this online session to discuss and learn about topics including the Belfast Blitz, rationing, The Home Front and The US presence.

Come along to a free online talk to find out more about Department for Communities ‘Make The Call’ and to find out more information about the state pension and other social security benefits.

To book E. outreach@ niwarmemorial.org

To get more information or to book your place E. envhealth@ antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk or T. 028 9034 0160

Reading the Newspaper Tuesday 19 October, 2pm - 3pm Did you know that you can get free access to around 3,000 national and world newspapers through the Libraries NI Libby app? Join this Zoom session to find out how to use PressReader.

To book T. 07912 29 6830 or E. niall.mcveigh@librariesni.org.uk

Libby E-Magazines Thursday 21 October, 2pm - 3pm If you haven’t yet discovered the amazing FREE eMagazine offer from Libraries NI, then this is the Zoom session for you! Learn how to download the Libby app and sign up for the opportunity to borrow over 3000 magazines. Explore the app and discover features like search, place hold, bookmarks and reading settings.

To book T. 07912 296 792 or E. Sheila.Mclean@librariesni.org.uk

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Home Safety Talk

MoneySaving

Friday 22 October, 10.30am - 11.30am

Wednesday 27 October, 11am - 12pm

Our homes are our haven but they are also the place where most accidents occur. On average, 2 people a week in Northern Ireland die in a home accident (such as trips and falls) with many injured and requiring further treatment.

Join our Zoom session to explore some of the great free advice sites on the internet that help you make your money go further. There is a wealth of knowledge out there if you know where to look. Also, see what you can do with cashback sites when you shop online.

Our Home Safety Officer will be giving a short presentation on keeping our homes safe for ourselves and also those visiting. With many Grandparents helping out with childcare we’ll be giving advice and information about helping to childproof the home. We also provide home safety checks for over 65s and will be able to tell you what this involves, what free safety items/gadgets we can provide and what services we can refer on to (e.g.

NIFRS, OT, assisted bin lift).

To book E. Gary.Patterson@librariesni.org.uk or T. 07912 296798

For more information or to book E. envhealth@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk or T. 028 9034 0160

Eat Well to Keep Well Monday 25 October, 2.30pm Nutrition is important for our health and wellbeing throughout the lifecycle. However, in our later years it is especially important that we eat healthily.

Find out why with Nutritionist Dr Janice McConnell, who will also outline what healthy eating looks like, areas for action, and practical tips on how to eat well in the everyday of life.

Pinterest and Instagram Tuesday 26 October, 2pm - 3pm

Spooky Halloween Chocolate Bingo

Biggest Ever Virtual Tea Dance

Thursday 28 October, 7.30pm - 8.30pm

Friday 29 October, 2.30pm - 4pm

Eyes down, let’s play Bingo. Every winner wins chocolate. Via zoom.

Join people across Northern Ireland and beyond, live bands and plenty of kitchen dancing.

To register T. 028 9073 5696 or E. Eamon.quinn@ engagewithage.org.uk

To book E. positiveageingmonth@ belfastcity.gov.uk or T. 07771 368 4705

In this session we take a look at two popular image-sharing social networking sites. Find out how to create a profile, post your own images and link with others.

To book T. 07912 296 792 or E. Sheila.Mclean@librariesni.org.uk

To book or E. envhealth@ antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk or T. 028 9034 0160

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12 MAKING A DIFFERENCE TO PEOPLE’S LIVES