23rd September 2024

A month long programme of free events for Positive Ageing Month has been announced by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in partnership with Western Health and Social Care Trust, Public Health Agency and South West Age Partnership.

The Positive Ageing Month theme for 2024 is “The part we play” and it will feature a variety of events and programmes to highlight the contribution that older people make in our communities.  There will also be events that will support older people to live life to the full offering practical advice on financial planning, healthy eating, cost of living, falls prevention, home safety talks and governance training for older people’s groups.

Some of the highlights of Positive Ageing Month include ‘Give It a Go’ where older people are encouraged to come along to taster sessions for low impact exercise followed by light refreshments.  These will take place on Thursday 3 October in West End Community Centre, Enniskillen and on Wednesdays 9, 16 and 23 October in CKS, Hospital Road and Strathroy Community Centres respectively.  All sessions run from 11.00am – 12.30pm.

Silver Sunday, 6 October, the National Day for Older People, will be marked by a variety of activities, an indoor bowling session will be held in Omagh Leisure Complex from 11.00am to 1.00pm and wreath making from 2.00pm – 4.00pm. Fermanagh Lakeland Forum will also be hosting an autumn wreath making class and indoor bowling from 2.00pm – 4.00pm.

Financial planning for Retirement events will be taking place on Monday 21 October in Omagh Library and on Wednesday 23 October in Fermanagh House. People can drop in to both events any time between 11.00 am – 4.00pm.  A range of support services in financial planning and budgeting for retirement will be available, focusing on topics such as pensions, cost of living, shopping, online banking, fraud awareness, power of attorney, wills and funeral cover. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak to exhibitors individually and listen to different speakers throughout the day.

A Local Democracy Event on Monday 28 October in the Townhall Enniskillen, 10.30 am – 12.30pm, will give older people an opportunity to ask questions of their local representatives on the issues that affect them most. The Older People’s Parliament on Saturday 12 October is an occasion to ask questions in the Assembly Chamber in Stormont.

Other events include a quiz, organised for Friday 4 October in Omagh Library and Tuesday 8 October in Fermanagh Lakeland Forum.  Both events will take place from 11.00am – 1.00pm and will be a great opportunity for fun, learning and reminiscing. A night of dance and songs from the past will take place in Omagh Leisure Complex on Thursday 17 October at the 50’s / 60’s / 70’s Disco, 7.30 – 9.00pm.

A six-week programme ‘Remembering and Reflections’ begins on Wednesday 30 October in Strule Arts Centre, 11.00am – 1.00pm. Each week a different theme will be explored from fashion and film to agriculture, music, games, and everyday life.

The Council will also be illuminating Enniskillen Castle and Strule Arts Centre in purple on 1 October 2024 to recognise International Day for Older Persons and the commencement of Positive Ageing Month.

All events are free to attend but some require pre-booking in advance.

Launching Positive Ageing Month, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Councillor John McClaughry said:

 ‘’The Council is pleased to once again be working with our partners to put together a varied programme of events for Positive Aging Month including both in-person and online activities.

 Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to ensuring that our older residents lead more independent, engaged and socially active lives and Positive Ageing Month provides an opportunity for us to achieve this and recognise how we can support older people in our District.

I encourage everyone to take part and attend as many events as possible and take the opportunity to socialise and create connections and try something new.

 I would like to thank our partners, South West Age Partnership, WHSCT and PHA for their ongoing commitment to the Positive Ageing Month initiative. The Council recognises the importance of such partnership working to enable us to deliver a range of activities and events to benefit our residents.’’

For further information on the programme for Positive Ageing Month in the Fermanagh and Omagh district and how to book events, please visit the Council website