Council celebrates a successful Positive Ageing Month.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council held a month-long programme of events in October for Positive Ageing Month, during which more than 300 older people participated in a series of fun and informative events. Organised in partnership with South West Age Partnership, Western Health and Social Care Trust and the Public Health Agency, the initiative acknowledged the valuable contributions of older residents and offered opportunities to stay active and socially connected.

The program included a diverse range of activities, from exercise taster sessions and free swims for those over 60 to wreath-making workshops and practical advice on topics such as financial planning, healthy eating, cost-of-living, fall prevention, home safety, and governance training for older people’s groups. Over 50 attendees joined an information fair at the Bawnacre in Irvinestown, where they received guidance from various organisations, including the Fermanagh & Omagh Interagency Forum for Older People.

During Positive Ageing Month, older residents had the chance to directly engage with some of their elected representatives at a Local Democracy Event held in the Townhall Chamber in Enniskillen, where they learned about the Council’s role and heard how their Councillors advocate for them.

An engaging six-week program titled “Remembering and Reflections” began at Strule Arts Centre during Positive Ageing Month and continues into November, with each weekly session focusing on themes like fashion, film, agriculture, music, games, and daily life. These workshops provide a lively platform for participants to meet new people, learn, and enjoy themselves.

Positive Ageing Month concluded with a celebratory event at Enniskillen Castle, where attendees enjoyed a performance by the Fermanagh Dementia Singing Group, followed by a laughter yoga session to end the month on an uplifting note.

At the closing event, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry thanked everyone who participated in Positive Ageing Month and remarked:

“Positive Ageing is about finding the positive aspects of getting older and engaging in an enjoyable and fulfilling lifestyle. It is also about creating environments and opportunities for our older residents to achieve this.

It is for this reason that Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to delivering Positive Ageing Month and Age Friendly activities to ensure that our older residents lead more active, independent and socially connected lives.

Activities and events to support positive ageing extend beyond the month of October and I would encourage people to reach out for more information and details of events, activities and groups to become involved in.”

For more information on joining an older person’s group, visit the Council website at https://www.fermanaghomagh.com/services/health-wellbeing/agefriendly/join-an-older-persons-group/