6 June 2008

Keep Safe – Keep Well 2008

Around 250 older people from the Armagh area have taken part in an information day designed to encourage them to look after their own personal safety and wellbeing and learn about the benefits available.

The Keep Safe-Keep Well 2008 event was hosted by comedian Gene Fitzpatrick and held in Armagh City Hotel. It was organised by Armagh Community Safety Partnership, Armagh and Dungannon Health Action Zone, Armagh District Policing Partnership, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, PSNI, Armagh Rural Transport, Armagh City and District Council, Armagh Senior Citizens Forum and Investing for Health.

A range of information stands were available and presentations were given on a number of subjects including: Neighbourhood Watch; Armagh Rural Transport; fire safety; armchair aerobics; understanding rate rebate system; medicine management; and access to benefits.

Speaking at the event, Mayor of Armagh, Councillor Charles Rollston said: “It is great to see such a large turnout to today’s event. Older people need help and advice to enable them to keep well and live independent lives, today we have heard and seen lots of information about how you can make your life easier and safer.”

Dr Gillian Rankin, Director of Older People and Primary Care at the Southern Health and Social Care Trust said: “Older people, particularly those living in rural areas can find it difficult to access information on the services available to them. By bringing a number of organisations together at the same time, this event aimed to improve access to health, social services and community safety information for older people. As well as being an informative day, I am also delighted that the event was a fun and sociable occasion for all who attended.”

Participants enjoyed the day which ended with dancing to ‘the outlaw’.

One lady who attended said: “It was such a great afternoon. I got loads of information about services available to older people, a lovely dinner and a wee dance to end the day. It is a pity there isn’t more of these events.”

A raffle was held and £507 was raised in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.