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.
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!
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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)
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.
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.
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
Silver Screenings – Pillow Talk (1959)
Strand Arts Centre, 2pm to 3.45pm
Cost: £4In 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Silver Screenings – Jailhouse Rock (1957)
Strand Arts Centre, 156 Holywood Road, 2pm to 3.40pm
Cost: £4Strand 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.
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.
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.
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.
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: £4Strand 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.
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.
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.
What's on?
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Older People's Activities in our community centres
Visit your local community centre and discover a world of new possibilities, right on your doorstep.
Braniel community centre
For more information, call 028 9040 1444.
Activity Day Times Older Men’s group Mondays 1.30pm to 3.30pm Older Women’s Group Mondays 7pm to 9pm
Clonduff community centre
For more information, call 028 9040 1444.
Activity Day Times Crochet group Mondays 1.30 to 3.30pm Older people’s Bingo Thursdays 6.30pm to 9.30pm
Concorde community centre
For more information, call 028 9071 2450.
Activity Day Times Bingo Wednesdays 7.30pm to 9pm Seniors Club Fridays 10am to 12 noon
Cregagh youth and community centre
For more information, call 028 9040 1444.
Activity Day Times Stroke Friendship group Tuesdays 10.30am to 12 noon Cregagh Retired Active Gentlemen (CRAG) Thursdays 2pm to 4pm Crochet group Fridays 10am to 12 noon
Finaghy community centre
For more information, call 028 9062 0474.
Activity Day Times Knitting and Crochet group
(bring along your own knitting / crochet to work on and we provide the tea/coffee)
Mondays
11am to 1pm
(September to June)
Gentle yoga for people with mobility issues
Wednesdays
11am to 1pm
(September to June)
Hammer community centre
For more information, call 028 9033 2860.
Activity Day Times Senior group Sports session 10 October and 24 October 2pm to 3pm Cake making Tuesdays TBC Digital ambassador - Helping over 50s get online Wednesdays TBC
Ligoniel community centre
For more information, call 028 9071 9337.
Activity Day Times Knit and Natter Group Mondays 10am to 12 noon Art and Craft Class Fridays 10.30am to 12.30pm
Olympia community space
For more information, call 077474 83887.
Activity Day Times Older people’s Bingo group Wednesdays 2.30pm to 4.45pm
Tullycarnet community centre
For more information, call 028 9048 1816.
Activity Day Times Women’s craft group Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9.30am to 1pm Luncheon Club (over 65’s) Tuesdays 12.30pm to 2pm Bridge Club Tuesdays 2pm to 4pm
Whiterock community centre
For more information, call 028 9032 8623.
Activity Day Times Lunch and Leisure Club Thursdays 11am to 2pm
Woodvale community centre
For more information, call 028 9035 1548.
Activity Day Times Arts and crafts for seniors Wednesdays 1pm to 4pm