Agewell’s work tackling loneliness among older people praised during Ballymena visit

North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows pictured with Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership staff: Sarah McLaughlin Executive Director for Health (left) and Catriona Delargy, IMPACTAgewell Team Leader.

The importance of tackling loneliness and helping older people remain active and connected has been highlighted following a visit to Mid & East Antrim Agewell Partnership by Ulster Unionist MLA Jon Burrows.

The local charity works with older people across Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus, providing programmes aimed at improving physical and emotional wellbeing while helping people maintain friendships, community connections and access to support.

Mr Burrows met Jenny, Executive Director of Community Programmes, and Sarah, Executive Director of Health Programmes, to learn more about Agewell’s work and discuss some of the challenges facing older people across the borough.

Supporting people to stay connected

Mid & East Antrim Agewell Partnership centres its work around three areas — helping older people to be “Better Physically, Better Emotionally and Better Connected”.

Its programmes are designed to help people make informed choices about their health and wellbeing, strengthen emotional resilience and maintain relationships and involvement in their communities.

Following his visit, Mr Burrows said the organisation’s impact went beyond the practical services it provides.

“Agewell is a fantastic local charity doing incredibly important work for older people across Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus,” he said.

“It was valuable to hear more about the wide range of programmes and support they provide and, importantly, the difference that work is making in people’s everyday lives.”

‘Loneliness and isolation can have a very real impact’

The North Antrim MLA said his discussions with the charity had also focused on the challenges people can experience as they grow older and the importance of ensuring opportunities for social connection remain available.

“For me, this is about much more than simply providing services,” Mr Burrows said.

“Loneliness and isolation can have a very real impact on someone’s quality of life, and having somewhere to turn, someone to speak to or an opportunity to get involved in the local community can make a tremendous difference.”

He added:

“I have always believed that how we support our older generation says a great deal about us as a society.

“Older people have contributed enormously to our families, workplaces and communities over many years, and they deserve to feel valued, supported and connected.”

‘Friendships, reassurance and a sense of belonging’

Mr Burrows praised the role of organisations working directly within communities to help prevent people becoming isolated.

“Organisations such as Agewell play an invaluable role in making that happen,” he said.

“The friendships, reassurance and sense of belonging they help create are every bit as important as the practical services they provide.”

He thanked Jenny and Sarah for meeting him and paid tribute to the wider Agewell team for what he described as the “dedication, professionalism and compassion” they bring to their work.

Mr Burrows said he intends to continue engaging with Mid & East Antrim Agewell Partnership and supporting its work with older people throughout the borough.

For older residents and their families, the visit highlights a wider issue extending beyond any single programme: ensuring people can remain healthy, involved and connected to their communities as they grow older.