Good Neighbourhoods for Ageing Well

Improving the lives of older people is the focus of a series of community conversations aimed at developing ‘good neighbourhoods for ageing well’.

The conversation events have been initiated by the Southern Strategic Health Improvement Partnership (SSHIP) and funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA). The events will be coordinated by the local councils and will be held in Kilkeel, Dromore, Craigavon, Keady and Fivemiletown.

The community conversations will seek the views of those aged over 65 years, carers of older people, community organisations and local residents who support older people. The information received during the sessions will be used to develop five local area action plans, focussing on older people, to improve neighbourhoods and their age-friendliness.

Dr Eddie Rooney, Chief Executive of the PHA, said: “It is important to establish the experiences of older people. That is why these conversations have been put in place. They will help us, along with our partner organisations and communities, create better neighbourhoods for ageing well.

“The aim of the conversations is to create action plans for each of the areas to develop five ‘good neighbourhoods for ageing well’ where everyone is valued and supported in their own community, and individuals feel safe and part of the community and can reach their full potential for health and wellbeing.”

The SSHIP consists of representatives from the PHA; Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Newry & Mourne and Dungannon & South Tyrone councils; the Southern Health and Social Care Trust; Southern Group Environmental Health Committee; the Health and Social Care Board Local Commissioning Group; and Housing Executive NI.