Older people put local priorities directly to NI Commissioner at Cullybackey meeting

(L-R): Joan McGuigan, Agewell Trustee; Jenny Marshall, Agewell Executive Director for Community Programmes; Jeanette van de Merwe, Agewell Empower Officer; and Siobhan Casey, Commissioner for Older People Northern Ireland.

Older people and the community organisations supporting them across Mid and East Antrim have had an opportunity to bring their experiences and priorities directly to Northern Ireland’s Commissioner for Older People.

Siobhan Casey joined representatives from local groups at a special Agewell Members Meeting at the Maine Business Centre in Cullybackey, where discussion focused on the issues affecting older people and the support available within communities.

Hosted by Mid & East Antrim Agewell Partnership, the gathering provided a direct link between grassroots organisations working with older residents and the Commissioner, whose role includes promoting and safeguarding the interests of older people across Northern Ireland.

Local voices heard by Commissioner

Some of those who attended the event organised by Mid & East Antrim Agewell Partnership, giving members of the local community an opportunity to bring their experiences and priorities to Northern Ireland’s Commissioner for Older People, Siobhan Casey.

Ms Casey updated members on her work and current priorities, while representatives were able to share their own experiences, concerns and views about the issues facing older people locally.

The meeting also highlighted the role played by community groups in tackling loneliness and social isolation, creating opportunities for people to stay connected and ensuring older residents have a voice in decisions affecting their lives.

Agewell used the gathering to update members on several programmes operating across Mid and East Antrim.

These included its Empower Programme, which helps older people’s community groups develop their capacity, build skills and strengthen their long-term sustainability.

The Empower Programme is funded through the Dormant Assets Scheme and facilitated by The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland.

Helping people remain independent and connected

Members also heard about IMPACTAgewell®, Agewell’s model of care which works alongside older people and health and community partners to help people live well and remain connected within their communities.

Another service highlighted was Dots Home & Life Services, Agewell’s social enterprise providing practical help in homes and gardens while also creating age-friendly employment opportunities for people in later life.

Some of those who attended the event organised by Mid & East Antrim Agewell Partnership, giving members of the local community an opportunity to bring their experiences and priorities to Northern Ireland’s Commissioner for Older People, Siobhan Casey.

Jenny Marshall, Executive Director of Community Programmes at Agewell, said:

“Our Members Meetings are an important opportunity to bring older people’s community groups together, share information and, most importantly, listen to what is happening on the ground in communities across Mid and East Antrim.

“We were delighted to welcome the Commissioner for Older People and give our members the opportunity to hear directly about her work, while also sharing the experiences and priorities of older people locally.

“Our community groups are doing fantastic work every day to support older people and create connected, age-friendly communities. By coming together, we can share learning, strengthen partnerships and make sure older people’s voices continue to influence the services and support available to them.”

Keeping older people at the heart of decisions

The meeting brought together organisations working at community level with older people and highlighted the importance of those experiences feeding into wider conversations about services and support.

For Agewell, the focus now remains on working with older residents, community organisations, statutory partners and local services across Mid and East Antrim — helping people remain connected and ensuring their voices are part of decisions affecting later life.