A successful event aimed at supporting older men with the transition into later life was recently delivered by the Southern Area Men’s Health Steering Group at the Dromantine Conference Centre in Newry.
Over 80 attendees took part in ‘The Next Chapter: Life After the Alarm Clock’ seminar, which explored key themes such as men’s sense of identity, social connections, participation in community life, health and wellbeing, financial planning and the importance of strong support networks during this stage of life.
Keynote speaker and newly appointed Commissioner for Older People, Siobhan Casey, set the tone for the day by offering valuable insight drawn from her experience with Age NI and the Good Vibrations initiative, as well as her role in championing the rights and needs of older people.
The men attended workshops which included ‘Bend don’t Break’ on resilience, Banbridge Men’s Shed delivered a birdbox making workshop in addition to number of health organisations, who provided valuable information and signposting advice.
The Southern Area Men’s Health Steering Group is a long-standing partnership of practitioners and representatives from services and organisations across the Southern Trust area. Members include Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough (ABC) Council, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI), Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT), Youth Action, ABC Policing and Community Safety Partnership and Age Friendly.
Established in 2012, the group is committed to improving men’s health by developing new approaches to engagement, sharing information on local initiatives and identifying community needs to support the wellbeing of boys and men.
ABC Council’s Health Inequalities team, within the Community Development Department, leads on men’s health across the Southern Area. The event was funded by the Public Health Agency and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.
