Positive Ageing Month

Date: 1 to 31 October 2023

Venue: Various locations across Belfast

Category: Positive Ageing Month, Seniors

A month-long festival of events and activities for older people.

We hope it has activities to suit all tastes and will allow people to connect in some way.

It begins on Sunday 1 October at the Ulster Museum and then the Age Friendly Convention is in City Hall on Wednesday 25 October. Booking for some events is essential, so please check details.

Positive Ageing Month celebrates the contribution that older people make to their communities and the city of Belfast.

What's on?

• Sunday 1 October

  Silver Sunday Age-Friendly Museums Day

  Ulster Museum, 10.30am to 12.30pm

  Come along to the Ulster Museum for a chance to chat and find out what’s going on over October, have a walk in Botanic gardens. No need to book, just come along!

• Monday 2 October

  Coffee Morning Get Together

  The Bobbin Café, 11am to 12 noon

  Not getting out and about as much as before?

  Join Engage with Age for a Coffee Morning get together. Includes a talk on Belfast’s Linen History by author John Bradbury. Part of Engage with Age’s PAL Project.

  For more information, email palproject@engagewithage.org.uk or call 074361 74793.

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  The Blended Thread - A walk through Linenopolis

  Start and finish in front of City Hall, 10.30am to 12 noon

  The global success of our linen industry brought great wealth to Belfast. On this tour learn how it profoundly shaped the city. Hear also the story of our social history, and the hard lives of the mill workers. This is a sensory tour, with much to see, touch and hear. Also learn about the bell that spoiled the whiskey, a famous tramp and a heavenly stairway.

  To book and for more information, email seniorsinfo@belfastcity.gov.uk or call 07827823998.

• Tuesday 3 October

  Age Friendly Belfast Be Prepared event

  2 Royal Avenue, Belfast (Beside Primark), 10.30am to 12.30pm

  No need to book Come along for information on how to help improve your daily living. Highlights include:

  • An opportunity to speak to a range of organisations that offer support on topics such as benefits, wellbeing, home safety, heating your home and much more.
  • A cuppa and a bun!

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  Dementia Friendly Coffee Morning

  Café Refresh, The Skainos Centre, 11am to 12 noon

  Join us for a coffee - the coffee and cake is on us. This coffee morning is for people living with early dementia, accompanied by a carer/ family member.

  To book and for more information, email palproject@engagewithage.org.uk or call 07436 174973.

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  Line Dancing classes

  Youth Action, 14 College Square North, 11am to 1pm

  To book and for more information email Pamela.Higgins@volunteernow.co.uk or call 028 9023 2020.

• Wednesday 4 October

  Art and Dementia Training

  2 Royal Avenue, 10am to 12 noon

  Engage with Age’s Dementia Friendly Artist in Residence Anna O’Kane demonstrates how to undertake arts and crafts workshops with people living with dementia. Ideal for family members, health staff, community workers and art facilitators (though not suitable for people living with dementia). A practical workshop working with paints and crafts materials.

  • Book your ticket (link opens in new window)

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  Carers Support Services Walking Group

  Waterworks Park, 7 Cavehill Road, BT15 5BG, 10.30am to 11.30am. (Meet at Queen Mary’s Gardens Playground)

  Our Health Improvement colleague will walk with us and discuss the benefits of keeping active.

  To book and for more information, email CarerSuppSvcs@belfasttrust.hscni.net or call\ 028 9504 2126.

• Thursday 5 October

  Carers Support Online Info session

  Online, 10am to 11am

  Age Friendly Belfast will talk about their Age Friendly plan as well as the activities they have planned across the month to encourage healthy ageing.

  To book and for more information, email CarerSuppSvcs@belfasttrust.hscni.net or call 028 9504 2126.

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  Silver Screenings – Pillow Talk (1959)

  Strand Arts Centre, 2pm to 3:45pm

  • Cost: £4

  Strand Arts Centre presents weekly classic movies chosen with older people in mind but open to all. In Pillow Talk, an interior decorator (Doris Day) and a playboy songwriter (Rock Hudson) share a telephone party line and size each other up.

  To book and for more information, call 028 9065 5830.

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  MOT for Older People’s Groups

  Morton Community Centre, 10 Lorne Street, Belfast, 2pm to 3.30pm

  Are you a member of an older people’s group that could do with some help? Join Engage with Age for a Groups MOT session.

  To book and for more information, email john.mccandless@engagewithage.org.uk or call 029 9073 5696.

• Friday 6 October

  Active Ageing health and Wellbeing Fair

  Girdwood Community Hub, 10am to 2pm

  For more information, email Corey.jamieson@gll.org or call 07564 938004.

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  Bank of Ireland information session - Financial wellbeing

  Online, 11am to 12.30pm

  The information session will include:

  • What is financial well-being
  • Protecting your finances
  • Cost of living help 

  To get your online link, email seniorsinfo@belfastcity.gov.uk or call 07827823998

• Monday 9 October

  Gardens, Gowns and Galileo - A tour of Queen’s University and Botanic Gardens

  Queen’s University War Memorial, 10.30am to 12 noon

  In 1828, Botanic Gardens was the first park to be opened in Belfast and it has a long and interesting history. Alongside, Queen’s College opened in 1849, possibly the finest building in Belfast, and the 8th oldest university in Britain or Ireland. Learn about the time when Queen Victoria called for tea, when the balloon went up, the man who stopped Concorde and the amazing story of Professor Zero.

  To book and for more information, email seniorsinfo@belfastcity.gov.uk or call 078278 23998.

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  Training: Isolation and loneliness experienced by older people

  Online, 9.30am to 1.30pm

  Aimed at staff and volunteers, in healthcare and non-healthcare roles, who are directly engaging with older people in the Belfast Trust area.

  The course content will explain what is meant by

  • Loneliness and social isolation
  • Why it is important to address loneliness
  • What are the common causes of loneliness,
  • triggers and effects of loneliness

  To book and for more information, email kerri.mccarry@belfasttrust.hscni.net or call 028 9504 5257.

• Tuesday 10 October

  Line Dancing classes

  Youth Action, 14 College Square North, 11am to 1pm

  To book and for more information, email Pamela.Higgins@volunteernow.co.uk or call 028 9023 2020.

• Wednesday 11 October

  Take 5 Tea Party

  Youth Initiatives building, 50 Colin Road, Belfast, BT17 0LG, 12 noon to 3pm

  Seniors are invited to attend for a short presentation on how incorporating the 5 steps to wellbeing approach into daily life contributes to improving wellbeing in its fullest sense, both physically and emotionally. Buffet and entertainment provided.

  Booking is essential.

  To book and for more information, call 028 9062 7863.

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  Age Friendly Belfast Movie afternoon - The Quiet Man

  Banqueting Suite, City Hall, 2pm to 4.30pm

  This is a free event.

  Places limited, booking essential, call 028 9027 0428 or email seniorsinfo@belfastcity.gov.uk

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  Interactive Dementia Training

  Online, 7pm to 8pm

  Tips on:

  • managing money
  • getting out and about
  • day-to-day life

  Book your ticket (link opens in new window)

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  NEA Energy Efficiency in the Home

  Online, 10am to 11.30am

  • Energy efficient hearting, lighting and appliances
  • Information on energy suppliers
  • Advice and support

  Booking is essential.

  Book tickets and find out more information or email Nichola.macdougall@nea.org.uk

• Thursday 12 October

  City Cemetary minibus tours

  City Cemetery - Main entrance at junction of Whiterock Road, 10.30am to 12 noon and 12.30pm to 2pm

  Opened in 1869, Belfast City Cemetery is one of the oldest public burial grounds in the city. There are stories of celebrated locals, people from across the world and founding fathers of the city.

  To book and for more information, email seniorsinfo@belfastcity.gov.uk or call 078278 23998.

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  Chocolate Bingo

  Online, 7.30pm to 8.30pm

  Join Engage with Age for bingo fun, daft games, and live music from Victor Mawhinney.

  Winners receive a bar of chocolate sent through the post.

  To get your zoom link and for more information, email eamon.quinn@engagewithage.org.uk.

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  Working together old movies

  Hammer and Woodvale Community centres, Strand Arts Centre, 1pm to 3pm

  Booking is essential.

  For more information on cost and to book, call Hammer Community Centre on 028 9033 2860

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  Silver Screenings – Pillow Talk (1959)

  Strand Arts Centre, 2pm to 3.45pm

  Cost: £4

  In Pillow Talk, an interior decorator (Doris Day) and a playboy songwriter (Rock Hudson) share a telephone party line and size each other up.

  Booking is essential.

  To book, call 028 9065 5830, or visit www.strandartscentre.com/silverscreenings for more information.

• Friday 13 October

  Virtual Tea Dance

  Online, 3pm to 4pm

  Join people across Northern Ireland and beyond, live music from Victor Mawhinney and plenty of chair and carpet dancing!

  To get your Zoom link and for more information, email seniorsinfo@ belfastcity.gov.uk or call 078278 23998.

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  Volunteer Now Older Men’s Health Day (50+)

  Girdwood Community Hub, 10.30am to 1.30pm

  Information on:

  • Health and well-being
  • Treatments including massage and podiatry

  For more information and to book, email Pamela.Higgins@volunteernow.co.uk or call 028 9023 2020.

• Tuesday 17 October

  Line Dancing classes

  Youth Action, 14 College Square North, 11am to 1pm

  To book and for more information, email Pamela.Higgins@volunteernow.co.uk or call 028 9023 2020.

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  Dementia Friendly Coffee Morning

  Café Refresh - The Skainos Centre, 11am to 12 noon

  Join us for a coffee - the coffee and cake is on us. This coffee morning is for people living with early dementia, accompanied by a carer/ family member.

  To book and for more information, email palproject@engagewithage.org.uk or call 074361 74973.

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  Age Friendly Tea Dance

  Royal Avenue, 2pm to 4pm

  Join us for a cuppa at our Age Friendly tea dance with the band Soda Popz.

  No need to book- just come along!

• Wednesday 18 October

  Big Quiz

  Online, 3 to 4pm

  To get your zoom link and for more information, email seniorsinfo@belfastcity.gov.uk.

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  Take 5 with Kae via Zoom

  Online, 11am to 12 noon

  This is a community initiative aimed at promoting mental health and well-being. Our goal is to provide accessible resources and support to individuals to help improve their physical and mental well-being.

  For more information, email kbolutife@yahoo.com or call 073830 96790.

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  Positive Ageing Carer Connect Café with Forward South Area Partnership

  Lisburn Road Library, 11am to 12.30pm

  Come to the carer connect café to meet other carers of any caring background for a bit of craic, a break from caring and peer support.

  For more information, email CarerSuppSvcs@belfasttrust.hscni.net or call 028 9504 2126.

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  Older Women’s Health event (50+)

  Girdwood Community Hub, 10.30am to -1pm

  Information on:

  • Health and well-being
  • Treatments including massage and podiatry.

  For more information and to book, email Pamela.Higgins@volunteernow.co.uk or call 028 9023 2020.

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  Older Peoples Tea Dance

  Olympia 2nd Floor Community Space, 2pm to 4.30pm

  Tea Dance with live music and light refreshments

  For more information and to book, email lambec@belfastcity.uk or call 028 9068 1874 or 07747483887.

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  Celebrate 10 Years of CLARE!

  The Duncairn, 1.30pm to 3.30pm

  Come along and celebrate 10 years of CLARE helping those 65+ across North Belfast.

  We’ll be having an afternoon of activities, refreshments and lots of conversation and laughter.

  For more information, email s.coulter@clare-cic.org or call 028 9077 4185.

• Thursday 19 October

  MOT for Older People’s Groups

  Inverary Community Centre, 2pm to 3.30pm

  Are you a member of an older people’s group that could do with some help?

  To book and for more information, email john.mccandless@engagewithage.org.uk or call 029 9073 5696.

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  Silver Screenings – Jailhouse Rock (1957)

  Strand Arts Centre, 156 Holywood Road, 2pm to 3.40pm

  Cost: £4

  Strand Arts Centre presents weekly classic movies chosen with older people in mind but open to all.

  In Jailhouse Rock, Elvis Presley stars as young Vince Everett who, after serving time behind bars, becomes a teenage rock star.

  To book and for more information, visit www.strandartscentre.com/silver-screenings or call 028 9065 5830.

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  The Pub Quiz without a Pub

  Online, 7pm to 8pm

  Playing as individuals, not as teams - get quizzing.

  To get your free zoom link, email eamon.quinn@engagewithage.org.uk.

• Friday 20 October

  Sing for Victory workshop with Karen Diamond

  Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum, 21 Talbot Street, Belfast, 2pm to 3pm

  Look back at life in the past and sing along to songs from the 1940s with live piano by music therapist Karen Diamond.

  Music has the power to unlock memories and participants are encouraged to reminisce in this dementia friendly workshop. A songbook is provided for requests.

  Booking essential.

  To book and for more information, email outreach@niwarmemorial.org or call 028 9032 0392 option 3.

• Monday 23 October

  Training: Isolation and loneliness experienced by older people

  Inverary Community Centre, 9.45am to 1.45pm

  Aimed at staff and volunteers, in healthcare and non-healthcare roles, who are directly engaging with older people in the Belfast Trust area.

  The course content will explain what is meant by

  • Loneliness and social isolation
  • Why it is important to address loneliness
  • What are the common causes of loneliness,
  • triggers and effects of loneliness

  For more information, email kerri.mccarry@belfasttrust.hscni.net or call 028 9504 5257.

• Tuesday 24 October

  Belfast Blitz Cathedral Quarter Walking Tour

  Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum, 21 Talbot Street, Belfast, 2pm to 3.30pm

  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.

  To book, email outreach@niwarmemorial.org or call 028 9032 0392 option 3.

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  Line Dancing classes

  Youth Action, 14 College Square North, 11am to 1pm

  Booking essential.

  To book and for more information, email Pamela.Higgins@volunteernow.co.uk or call 028 9023 2020.

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  Dementia Awareness Training

  Inverary Community Centre, 10am to 12pm noon

  The aim of the awareness session is to:

  • develop your knowledge of Dementia
  • increase your confidence and skills to help you relate, communicate and support someone with dementia
  • become a Dementia Friend

  Booking is essential. To book and for more information, email seniorsinfo@belfastcity.gov.uk or call 078278 23998.

• Wednesday 25 October

  Age Friendly Belfast Convention Event

  Belfast City Hall, 10.30am to 1pm

  This is a celebration of Positive Ageing Month with refreshments provided.

  To book and for more information, email seniorsinfo@belfastcity.gov.uk or call 028 9027 0428.

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  Halloween Tea Dance

  Woodvale Community Centre, 1pm to 4pm

  Halloween tea dance with entertainment, food and also a game of bingo.

  Booking essential.

  To book and for more information, call 028 9035 1548.

• Thursday 26 October

  Silver Screenings – Jailhouse Rock (1957)

  Strand Arts Centre, 156 Holywood Road, 2pm to 3.40pm

  Cost: £4

  Strand Arts Centre presents weekly classic movies chosen with older people in mind but open to all.

  In Jailhouse Rock, Elvis Presley stars as young Vince Everett who, after serving time behind bars, becomes a teenage rock star.

  To book and for more information, visit www.strandartscentre.com/silver-screenings or call 028 9065 5830.

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  Spooky Chocolate Bingo

  Online, 7.30pm to 8.30pm

  It’s online bingo but not as you know it. Get your fancy dress on (not compulsory!) and join Engage with Age for some silly bingo fun.Games and live music from Victor Mawhinney.

  Winners receive a bar of chocolate sent through the post.

  To get your zoom link, email eamon.quinn@engagewithage.org.uk.

• Friday 27 October

  Senior’s Halloween Fancy Dress Ball

  Dunmurry Presbyterian Church Hall, 9 Glenburn Road, Dunmurry, 12 noon to 3pm

  • Cost: £5

  Good Morning Colin invite seniors along for a fun-filled afternoon of music and entertainment with a three-course dinner served.

  Prizes awarded for the most creative fancy dress costumes!

  Booking Essential.

  To book and for more information, email aisling@newcolin.com or call 028 9062 7863.

• Monday 30 October

  Halloween Tea Dance

  Ligoniel Community Centre, 2pm to 4pm

  Halloween-themed live music and entertainment provided by Rosey Hunter Band. Light refreshments included. Fancy dress optional!

  Booking essential.

  To book and for more information, call 028 9071 9337.

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  The Spooky Slipped Disco - Engage with Age

  Oh Yeah Centre, 15-21 Gordon Street, Belfast BT1 2LG, 7.30pm to 9.30pm

  Get your glad rags, dancing shoes and fancy dress on for a night of floor fillers with the best music from the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Fancy dress encouraged, though not compulsory!

  Booking essential.

  To book and for more information, call 028 9073 5696.

• Tuesday 31 October

  South Belfast Dementia Carers Café

  Ormeau Road Library, 10am to 11.30am

  The Carers Café is specifically for those who care for someone living with Dementia in South Belfast. It is opportunity for carers to take time for themselves, share experiences and learn about that services are available to them.

  For more information, email emily.brown@forwardsouth.org or call 073945 69153.