PAM Calendar - October 2023

Mid & East Antrim

2023

The Braid Ballymena

Welcome and Introduction by the Mayor

As Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council I am delighted to have been invited to provide the introduction to the programme for Positive Ageing Month 2023 in our area. Council is committed to working in partnership with other stakeholders to establish Mid and East Antrim as a place where our older people can live active and engaged lives, making a valuable contribution to their communities.

Positive Ageing Month is one such initiative where, in association with our partners, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Public Health Agency and Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership, our Council is working collaboratively to put together an extensive and diverse range of events and workshops. The programme is a mix of in person and virtual events from across our Borough and Northern Ireland and there is something there for everyone.

I am proud to be one of Council’s Champions for Older People, as well as Dementia Champion with ‘This is Me’ Dementia Friendly Choir in Larne as one of my official charities for the year ahead, along with Women’s Aid. Both of these charities are close to my heart, I feel that ageing is a privilege and Council is keen to support all our residents in their journey.

I would encourage as many of you as possible to attend these events, whether in person, or by joining virtually from the comfort of your own home.

Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim

Blackcave Tunnel Larne

International Day of Older People

Christmas Small Grants Scheme Applications

LGNI are inviting applications for small grants of £125 to bring generations together during December.

Remember to ring Council to ask about a free home safety check for Over 65s!

What is a Home Safety Check?

Walk This Way

Every Wednesday 7.15pm from The Swift, Carrickfergus Castle car park

Dementia Support Information Session

Bank of Ireland

Age Friendly

Artisan Market

Carrickfergus

Free Storytelling and Reminiscence Sessions with The Armstrong Storytelling Trust

11am at Whitehead Community Centre

It is an opportunity to help those over 65 identify potential risks and provide information, advice and support to help keep safe in the home. It also gives the chance to ask safety related questions about your home and to be informed of other relevant services that are available from the Council.

028 25 633394

Weekly walks with Carrickfergus Hub, improving lives locally. Walks are no longer than an hour, routes are short and accessible with rest stops available. Free Energy Efficiency Advice

If you live in M&EA and would like advice, or are interested in a free home energy visit, please contact:

028 25 633394 wellbeing@ midandeastantrim. gov.uk

6.30pm via free online Zoom session Learn about support services available.

Amanda.cotter@ midandeastantrim. gov.uk

07391863492

Financial Wellbeing

11am - 12.30pm

via free online MS Teams session

Meeting ID: 383 288 270 925

Passcode: Yh2JTS

03000 132 132

‘Remembering

John Clifford’, a talk by Lolly Spence

11am - 3pm

Launch of ‘John Clifford - 40th Anniversary Exhibition’

Larne Museum

Larne Drama Circle, Free 7.30pm - 10.00pm

Larne Drama Circle

’One of Those Days’ and ’An Upset House’ by John Clifford. Book in advance

028 28 262443

marian.kelso@ midandeastantrim. gov.uk

7.30pm - 10.00pm

Requires advanced booking.

028 28 262443

marian.kelso@ midandeastantrim. gov.uk

2pm On display to the public from Monday 9 October until Thursday 23 November 2023.

028 28 262443

marian.kelso@ midandeastantrim. gov.uk

Blackhead Lighthouse

Whitehead

Sunday 9 Monday 10 Tuesday 11 Wednesday 12 Thursday 13 Friday 14 Saturday

Check where hearing aid clinics are (see page 15)

Free Storytelling and Reminiscence Sessions with The Armstrong Storytelling Trust

World Mental Health Day

Energy Efficiency in the Home: National Energy Action

Remember to ring about tomorrow’s Tea Dance

Free Carrickfergus

Community Forum Tea Dance

Good Vibrations: Over 50’s Men-Only Health Programme

Find out how to look after your health an stay strong. Learn expert tips for minding your head. If you’re in a job, plan your later working yearand more.

07436 581 437

07816 247 624 good-vibrations@ ageni.org

11am Whitehead Community Centre

Free Chill N Chat

7pm - 8.30pm

Caretaker’s House Antrim Street, Carrickfergus

Register for the Mid and East

Antrim Agewell

Partnership Cost of Living Workshop - taking place this Wednesday

An opportunity to meet new people and have a chat over a cuppa. Everyone welcome.

10am - 11.30am via Zoom session Register via: tinyurl.com/ t8b75dy7 Nichola. macdougall @nea.org.uk

MEAAP Cost of Living Workshop

10am - 11.30am via free Zoom session

Loads of useful info on how to make your money go further this winter!

028 28 262443 meaap.co.uk/ costofliving

11am - 3pm

Jubilee Hall, Carrickfergus Town Hall

02893 359777 carrickcommu nity@btconnect. com Free Virtual Tea Dance 3pm - 4pm

For more information, contact: seniorsinfo@ belfastcity.gov.uk

Larne Market

15 Sunday 16 Monday 17 Tuesday 18 Wednesday 19 Thursday 20 Friday 21 Saturday

Free RNID Hearing Aid Support Session

10am - 12noon

Open Door Centre, 32 Bridewell Drive

Carrickfergus

BT38 8JW

Help with new batteries, cleaning and re-tubing earmoulds, information on how to look after and fit hearing aids as well as signposting to other services.

Free money and Pensions Talk

11am via MS Teams

Meeting ID: 392 141 323 32

Passcode: kebr25 03000 132 132

Free MEA Agewell Partnership Health Fair

10am - 1pm Larne Market Yard

Drop in for a health check and advice.

028 25 658604 connectnorth.

MEA@meaap.co.uk

Free Cyber Safety for Older Adults

10.30am via Zoom

Sing for Victory Workshop with Karen Diamond

2pm

Restart a Heart Day

Check train times to Larne tomorrow - use my Smartpass

Free Big Quiz

3pm - 4pm via Zoom

For more information contact: seniorsinfo@ belfastcity.gov.uk

Interactive training covers common online scams, fraud protection, and cybersecurity awareness, including password protection and privacy settings.

Register via: tinyurl. com/5h42ehm8

allstatecyber safety@allstate.com

Look back at life in the past and sing along to songs from the 1940s with live piano. Music has the power to unlock memories and participants are encouraged to reminisce in this dementia friendly workshop. lasts 1hr Numbers are limited to 15 participants so please get in contact to book your place. 02890 320392 option 3 outreach@ niwarmemorial.org

Carrickfergus Castle

22 Sunday 23 Monday 24 Tuesday 25 Wednesday 26 Thursday 27 Friday 28 Saturday

Free Age NI: Move More Live More

2pm - 3pm via Zoom

Regional online session to promote falls prevention messages and inform individuals how they can access the 6 week Move More Live More programme.

For more information contact move-more@ ageni.org

Belfast Blitz

Cathedral Quarter Walking Tour

2pm

In this walking tour of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, join staff from the Northern Ireland War Memorial to uncover the history and impact of the Belfast Blitz of 1941. Look at images from the time and compare them to how the streets look today. Perfect for the active history lover. The tour lasts approximately 1hr 30 mins. Numbers are limited. outreach@ niwarmemorial.org

02890 320392 option 3

Free MEAAP Scam Awareness Pop Up

10am - 12noon Market Yard, Woodside Road

Ballymena

Stop with our team to find out more about scams that are in circulation and how to keep yourself safe.

Flooded with Nuisance Calls?

If you live in Ballymena, Carrickfergus or Larne MEAAP can fit a call blocking device to help reduce the number of nuisance calls coming through.

Contact for more information:

028 2565 8604

Free Information

Session: What is Glaucoma?

2.30pm - 3.30pm via Zoom Introduction to treatment, where to go for help and further information.

078 370 695 04

h.mcvittyohara@ glaucoma.uk

Slemish Mountain Ballymena

Remember to ring ‘Make the Call’just to be sure! A free phone call could make a difference - call to check your entitlements now!

makethecall@ dfcni.gov.uk

Freephone 0800 232 1271 (Network Charges May Apply) or text ADVICE to 079 8440 5248

Phone lines are open Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm (excluding public holidays)

nidirect.gov.uk/ contacts/make-callservice

It’s Halloween!

Ballymena Market

Other Events

Free Hearing Aid Support Service

RNID face to face support session for NHS hearing aid users.

Receive help with:

• New batteries

• Cleaning and re-tubing of earmoulds

• Information on how to look after and fit hearing aids

• Signposting to other services

The Open Door Centre, 32 Bridewell Drive Carrickfergus

The Auction House, Larne Market Yard Station Road

Larne BT40 3AA 11 October 8 November, 13 December 10am - 12noon

Dementia Awareness Training

Coming in October 2023

Free training for Businesses & Groups to become ‘Dementia Friendly’

Amanda.cotter@ midandeastantrim.

gov.uk

Ballykeel Community Centre, 20a Crebilly Road Ballymena BT42 4ND 18 October

07391863492

Tuesday 17

Larne Town Hall

10.30am - 12noon

Wednesday 18 The Braid Ballymena

2.30pm - 4pm

Thursday 19 Carrick Town Hall

10.30am - 12noon

Tuesday 24 Online via Zoom 6pm - 7.30pm

(This session is open to residents)

Women’s Aid Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey

Women’s Aid

ABCLN provides confidential support, information and emergency accommodation for women and children who are affected by domestic abuse.

It’s never too late.

028 25 632136

Or freephone our 24 hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse

Helpline at: 0808 802 1414

Ageing is Changing

Ageing has been described as the greatest challenge facing the world.

Following public consultation an Age Friendly Alliance will be set up in the coming months in Mid and East Antrim, with representatives from community, voluntary/statutory organisations, as well as interested individuals being welcomed to work together to help ensure that our older people are active, respected and supported in their community.

If you would like to get involved please get in touch with Helen McClean, our Age Friendly Co-ordinator.

age.friendly@ midandeastantrim. gov.uk

028 2826 2353

MEAAP

Chat to an Agewell team member about what help, and support is available in the local area!

Tuesday 3

Bannside

Pharmacy

Portglenone 2pm - 4pm

Thursday 5

Carnlough Pharmacy

Carnlough 10am - 1pm

Thursday 12 Caldwell Spar  Islandmagee 10am - 1pm

Tuesday 17

Donnellys of Rathkenny

Ballymena

10am - 12noon

Stay Active!

Libraries NI provides free access to Wi-Fi for Members so you can bring along your mobile phone, laptop or tablet computer and use our high speed Wi-Fi. Find out more or check what’s on at:

librariesni.org.uk

What’s on in your Local Library: Tea and Newspaper Groups

Your local library has a Tea and Newspapers group giving adults the opportunity to meet new people, socialise and discuss local and national affairs in the newspapers while enjoying complimentary tea/coffee and biscuits.

Remember to check for updates or see what else is on at librariesni.org.uk