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NEWS


Elderly left without support as carer shortage hits rural Mid Ulster
Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Frances Burton (DUP) , has revealed she is having sleepless nights over the plight of three elderly residents she knows well who are in desperate need of home care. The Clogher Valley DEA representative made the comments at the Development Committee meeting of Mid Ulster District Council on December 3, where she argued that recent grant funding from the Department for Communities (DfC) should, at least in part, be used to train
Dec 29, 2025


Northern Trust and Bann Maine West unite to support older rural residents this Christmas
Yvonne Carson, Northern Trust, Rural Health and Wellbeing Manager, Valerie Cubitt, Eurospar, Cullybackey, Leona Rock, Community Staff Nurse, Cullybackey Medical Practice, Marion Orr, District Nursing Coach, Joanne Brown Kerr, Development Officer, Bann Maine West with volunteers Helen and Samantha from Cullybackey Community Partnership. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has joined forces with Bann Maine West Community Cluster to bring festive cheer to some of the most
Dec 15, 2025


93-year-old former nurse Ethel Glasgow wins Northern Trust 2025 Christmas card competition
Pictured are Anne O’Reilly, Chairperson Northern Trust, Jackie Burns, Ethel Glasgow, Iris Burns and Suzanne Pullins Chief Executive Northern Trust Cookstown woman and former nurse Ethel Glasgow, aged 93, has been announced as the winner of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s 2025 Christmas card competition, after her hand-drawn festive design captured the hearts of judges. Mrs Glasgow, who attends Cookstown Day Centre, created a charming winter scene featuring a robin
Dec 5, 2025


Asda relaunches ‘Happy to Chat’ initiative to tackle loneliness among over-60s this Christmas
Asda Antrim Community Champion helped secure an Asda Foundation grant for Randalstown Ulster Scots Cultural Society Asda has relaunched its ‘Happy to Chat’ initiative across Northern Ireland in a bid to support older people facing loneliness and isolation during the festive season. The move comes as part of the retailer’s latest Christmas Community Tracker, which surveyed more than 2,000 people across the UK. The research revealed that for many over-60s, the “lack of human in
Dec 3, 2025


Dementia UK outlines key symptoms ahead of free specialist clinics across Northern Ireland
Free dementia support clinics are returning to branches of Nationwide Building Society in Ballymena, Derry, Newry and Bangor this December, with Dementia UK urging people to be aware of the early signs and symptoms of the condition. Hosted by the charity’s specialist Admiral Nurses, the face-to-face clinics will offer confidential, tailored advice to anyone concerned about dementia—whether for themselves or a loved one. Appointments can be booked online via the Dementia UK w
Nov 25, 2025


“Age is no barrier”: Margaret Cowie inspires others through art in Mid and East Antrim
Mayor and Mayoress of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford and Allison Minford, pictured with Margaret Cowie Carrickfergus Museum came alive with colour and creativity as it hosted Margaret’s Later Life Hobby Exhibition and a special Paint with Numbers Workshop on Saturday 25 October, celebrating wellbeing, connection, and lifelong learning as part of Positive Ageing Month. The exhibition showcased a stunning collection of paintings by Margaret Cowie , whose passio
Nov 2, 2025


Asda brings back £1 ‘Winter Warmer’ café initiative for over 60s
Asda has announced the return of its popular £1 ‘Winter Warmer’ café meal deal, designed to support people aged 60 and over through the colder months as many continue to face financial pressures. From 1st November until the end of February, anyone aged 60 or above can enjoy a bowl of soup, a bread roll, and unlimited tea or coffee for just £1 at any of Asda’s 212 cafés across the UK. Diners can choose between two soup flavours — Tomato or Chicken — offering a comforting and a
Oct 29, 2025


Minister urges older people to check Pension Credit eligibility to unlock vital cost of living support
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured with Age NI Head of Advice and Advocacy Services Brenda Kearns (left) and Director of Pensions, Disability, and Carers at Department for Communities NI Leonora McLaughlin. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has encouraged people over the State Pension age to check whether they qualify for Pension Credit, warning that many older residents could be missing out on vital financial help during the ongoing cost of living pressures. Pension
Oct 27, 2025


Love Later Life: NRC students join Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to promote positive ageing
Northern Regional College Staff and Level 3 Creative Media Practice students at the showcase of their short film Love Later Life. Northern Regional College’s Creative Media students have teamed up with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to produce a moving short film that celebrates the power of positive ageing. The film, titled Love Later Life, was officially launched on Tuesday 30 September, showcasing the talents of the College’s Level 3 Creative Media Practice students.
Oct 22, 2025


MEA Loneliness Network marks Positive Ageing Month with Volunteer Now event
(L-R) Sabrina Lynn, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Wenda Gray, Volunteer Now, John Mitchell, Volunteer Now, Marjorie Hawkins,...
Oct 9, 2025


Hollywood actor Ian McElhinney backs hard-hitting initiative tackling loneliness across NI
L-R: Gordon Cruikshanks (Regional Managing Director, Lidl Northern Ireland), Linda Robinson (Chief Executive, Age NI) and campaign...
Oct 8, 2025


Police arrest three people after building society staff protect vulnerable older customer
Police have arrested three people after quick-thinking building society staff intervened to protect a vulnerable older person from...
Sep 27, 2025


Creative Connections brings free arts & wellbeing workshops to over-60s across Causeway Coast
Older residents across the Causeway Coast are being invited to take part in a new Creative Connections Programme, offering a series of...
Sep 15, 2025


HSENI strengthens support for older farmers during Farm Safety Week
As part of this year’s Farm Safety Week, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is focusing its efforts on older...
Jul 26, 2025


‘Tone deaf’ care home plan for Stormont Hotel faces opposition from local residents
A planning application to transform the Stormont Hotel in East Belfast into a care home has been described as “tone deaf” and “the...
Jul 8, 2025


Good Morning Antrim: Lifeline for older people, tackling loneliness with daily calls
Libby Higham, Coordinator at the Family Caring Centre A heartfelt telephone befriending service in Antrim is making a significant...
Jun 14, 2025


Winter Fuel Payment reinstated for Northern Ireland pensioners, confirms Minister Lyons
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed that pensioners across Northern Ireland will receive...
Jun 10, 2025


Communities Minister welcomes u-turn on winter fuel payment restrictions
Northern Ireland’s Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed a major policy reversal by the UK government which reinstates broader...
Jun 9, 2025


RTÉ Investigates uncovers shocking neglect and abuse in Ireland’s private nursing homes
Two of Ireland’s leading geriatric experts have condemned conditions in private residential care after an explosive RTÉ Investigates...
Jun 4, 2025


Easier bin collection plan approved for elderly and disabled residents in Mid and East Antrim
More residents in Mid and East Antrim look set to benefit from assisted bin lifts after an updated policy was approved. The borough...
May 28, 2025
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