Agewell marked another successful year at its Annual General Meeting in Larne’s AEL, bringing together funders, community partners, volunteers, and service users to celebrate progress and community impact. Guest Chair Elaine Curry of Age NI praised Agewell’s commitment to supporting older people across Ballymena, Carrickfergus, and Larne. Chair William McCaughey highlighted achievements in wellbeing and partnership, while Executive Director Jenny Marshall unveiled a new three-year Strategic Plan focused on growth, sustainability, and deeper community engagement. She also launched the Age & Opportunity Report, which highlights needs for people aged 50+ in employment in the Mid and East Antrim area. The afternoon’s Empower Programme workshop, led by Kevin McCaughan and Alastair Donnaghy, explored “Technology for Community Impact,” with Libraries NI’s Daniel McCurdy demonstrating how digital tools like AI can strengthen community connection and demonstrations on useful tools such as Microsoft Forms and Impactasaurus.

Agewell are recruiting for Voluntary Trustees to join our Board. The full application pack is available on our website www.meaap.co.uk/recruitment or for more information please contact Agewell on 028 25658604

On Monday 6th October, Agewell hosted our Community Wellbeing Day at All Saints Parish Centre, Ballymena. The event was a huge success which brought together a wide range of health and wellbeing partners, all dedicated to supporting local older people. Attendees were able to access a variety of services, including health checks, advice on managing long-term health conditions, community group information, as well as digital and financial support- ensuring that advice was available for every aspect of wellbeing support.

We would like to say a special thank you to all our health and wellbeing partners for their invaluable contribution to making the day such a success.

In October Agewell launched a new volunteer led initiative as part of the Dots Social Enterprise. Volunteers meet regularly to repurpose and craft preloved books, helping to reduce waste and bring people together in a social setting for craft focused volunteering. The books and crafts will be available in the run up to Christmas at a number of local markets and craft fairs. Why not pop by and pick up a unique Christmas gift!

Join us for a fast-paced, one-hour online event packed with useful insights from 20 local organisations supporting older people in the Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne areas. Each group gets just 2 minutes to share what they do, giving you a quick-fire overview of services and support available in your community.

• Register now: www.meaap.co.uk/rapidrundown/
  or call Agewell on 028 2565 8604

Agewell once again hosted a successful Rapid Rundown event which played host to twenty organisations presenting in just two minutes each! This online event showcased the amazing variety of support there is available in Mid and East Antrim for Older People. You can watch the video by visiting www.meaap.co.uk/rapidrundown/

Kevin and Alastair, both part of the Empower Team at Agewell have been out and about supporting local community groups. If your group would like support in any way, feel free to get in touch by contacting the Agewell Office on 028 25658604.

Our Empower Officers meets Agewell service users, and a whole range of older people on a regular basis while out and about supporting community groups and organisations that support our older people.

Alastair and Kevin started to work on an idea around the stories of ordinary people who have an extraordinary story. Folks who just get on with their lives, ageing well, but who have a story to tell!
The first story in the series is about Gary Fahy who Alastair has been friends with for many years.
Alastair says:
“When you meet Gary you just see a decent fella, softly spoken, and apart from a music t-shirt, looks kind of ordinary”
Locally he is just Gary, but in punk music cirlce he is a legend!

Gary is a well known Irish punk music advocate and founder of Punkerama Records, known for promoting punk music, releasing records, and organising charity projects within the punk community. He continues to manage the record label he founded a few years back, Punkerama Records, and has been quietly producing live recordings, vinyl releases, and limited edition records for iconic Northern Irish punk bands, such as The Defects and The Outcasts.

Over the years Gary has also organised a number of charity projects, bringing together punk musicians for worthy causes such as the Ulster Cancer Fund for Children, raising significant funds and highlighting his dedication to both music and the community.

Gary Fahy is a central figure in Northern Ireland’s punk scene through Punkerama Records, and his ‘hands-on’ approach bridges the gap between old-school punk enthusiasts and contemporary performers, making him a notable contributor to the legacy of punk music across Northern Ireland.

So, keep up the great work Gary! Punk lives on!

Our Team Member Alastair Donnaghy enjoyed accompanying a group of Carrickfergus and Larne residents on a day out to Banbridge, as part of our Agewell Adventures initiative, which supports people to utilise their 60+ free Smart Travel pass.

We’re thrilled to share that our recent ‘Flower Friends’ bouquet for Positive Ageing Month was picked up in Carrickfergus this week by Graham Campbell, who sent us this heartwarming message:
“I found the flowers in Carrickfergus yesterday and gave them to my friend Doris, who is 94 years old. Doris and I are both widowed and met on a holiday to Scotland 19 years ago. We’ve had a wonderful friendship ever since. I was 70 and Doris was 75 at the time, some people think life is over at 70, but ours began in 2006. Thank you for making our day with the flowers.”

Moments like this remind us that friendship, joy, and new beginnings can blossom at any age.

Behind the scenes, our Volunteer Coordinator Ellen Nixon meets regularly with volunteers for one-to-one support, ensuring they feel encouraged and valued. Each volunteer brings their own unique skills, life experiences, and passions and together, they create an incredible impact. From offering a listening ear to lending a helping hand, our volunteers brighten the lives of older people every single day. Pictured is Joe McKeown, one of our fantastic Befriending Volunteers.

If you would like information about volunteering at Agewell, contact Ellen on 028 25658604 or email [email protected]

A New Friendship That Brightens Every Walk

When volunteer Ian first signed up for the Agewell’s Building Flourishing Friendships ( BFFs ) program, he hoped to offer companionship and conversation to someone in his local community . What he didn’t expect was how quickly he’d gain a friend—and an additional a four-legged one at that.

His match was Alan , a chatty gentleman in his mid sixties .Alan who is blind, is rarely without his trusty guide dog, Kevin , a dog breed with a wagging tail that could brighten even the rainiest afternoon.

From their very first meeting, the connection was instant. Their weekly meetups often start with a stroll through the nearby roads , Kevin leading the way with practiced ease. Ian and Alan have found that they have so many shared interests that their conversations flow as naturally as the laughter.

Ian says “Time spent with Alan and Kevin never seems like a chore. I look forward to seeing them and helping the best I can.” When asked for three words to describe their relationship Ian says “Simple solid and blessed “

For Alan the visits bring more than simple companionship. “I really enjoy Ian’s company and our get togethers and walks outdoors with Kevin . He’s a God send”
Their friendship proves that age and ability are no barriers to connection—and that sometimes the best friendships can also come with a wet nose and a wagging tail.

The BFFs program exists to reduce loneliness and spark connection, and with Ian , Alan and Kevin it’s worked beautifully. Their friendship shows that when people (and pets) meet with open hearts, the result is something bigger than companionship—it’s the kind of bond that brightens every day and every walk.

Dots Home and Life Assistants now available in the Ballymena area. Our team can help you manage daily tasks such as:

• Cleaning
• Laundry
• Assisted Shopping

We offer:

• Compassion: Listening and making what matters to you a priority
• Quality: Delivering a service with high and consistent standards
• Trust: Providing staff that are trained, vetted and supervised

You deserve to feel comfortable and supported in your own home. Dots Home & Life Assistants provide help with everyday tasks, so you can focus on what matters most.

Contact us for a FREE QUOTATION or for further information:

• Telephone: 028 2568 9830
• Website: www.dotsni.co.uk

Download this leaflet: Dots Home & Life Assistants

Libraries NI: Check out what’s on in Libraries in Mid East Antrim in November 2025

• Cancer Awareness Sessions
• Little Gardeners: Plant, Grow and Bloom
• Kindness ‘Can’ Craft
• From Tiny Seeds to Lasting Memories
• Unlock the Library after hours!
• Origami for World Kindness Day

Download this leaflet: What’s on in November 2025

Libraries NI: Carrickfergus Library Presents: Memory Lane Cafe

Memory Lane Cafe is a sociable get together for people with dementia and their carers, as well as those who used to care for other with dementia. Meet new people and chare your experiences.

Join us for tea, coffee, biscuits and games on the first Tuesday of the month 10:30am to 12noon. Everyone welcome. Ask staff for details.

• Telephone: 028 9336 2261
• Email: [email protected]

Download this leaflet: Memory Lane Cafe

You are cordially invited to attend our Exhibition and Sale at Houston’s Mill: Paintings by Local Artists.

The event is Thursday 20 November to Saturday 22 November 2025. This is in aid of Parkinson’s UK Northern Ireland, Ballymena Vis Art invite you to attend their ‘Arts Exhibition and Sale’ of paintings by local artists.

• Opening Event: Wednesday 19 November 2025 7:00pm to 8:30pm
• Guests: Nigel Allison and Paul Holmes
• Location: Houston’s Mill, Broughshane

Download this leaflet: Exhibition and Sale

Reconnect. Refresh. Rebuild

• Are you aged 50+ and living in the Mid & East Antrim area?
• Not currently working, or working less than you’d like?

This programme is for you:

• Telephone: 028 7963 1032
• Email: [email protected]

Download this leaflet: Wellbeing 4 Work: 50+

Animal Sanctuary in Search of Volunteers

If you are an animal lover, why not consider volunteering at Crosskennan Animal Sanctuary? They are searching for passionate and dedicated volunteers who are interested in helping with physical maintenance tasks to help keep the animals in their care safe.

For more information contact [email protected] or telephone: 028 9446 5384

National Lottery Awards for All

• Are you working with your local community to develop a project in Northern Ireland to support people in your local area?

If so, this lunch time virtual session may be of interest to you. Get top tips, support and all your questions answered.

• Places are available for our next session taking place on 8 December 2025 from 12.30
• Sign up at:  National Lottery Awards for All

For more information telephone 028 9055 1455