Libraries NI Positive Ageing Fair Comes to Lisburn City Library

Libraries NI is inviting people to discover new activities, interests and opportunities at Lisburn City Library’s Positive Ageing Fair on Tuesday 13 October.

Taking place as part of Positive Ageing Month, the free event will bring together a wide range of local organisations offering information, advice and ideas to help people stay active, involved and engaged as they get older.

From volunteering, walking and sport to arts and crafts, family history, photography, chess and local groups, visitors can find out what is happening in the Lisburn area and perhaps discover something new to try.

Stallholders will be available from 10:00am to 1:00pm, with organisations attending including Volunteer Now, U3A, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council’s Age Friendly Coordinator, the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, NI Family History Society, local sports and creative groups and representatives from the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.

A major part of the day will be Mind Matters: Brain Health and Ageing Well, a programme exploring practical ways people can support their brain health, wellbeing and positive ageing.

Dr Sinéad Eccles from The Open University will introduce the Future Life Toolkit and Take 5 to Age Well, sharing practical, evidence-based ideas that can help people build habits to support healthy ageing, resilience and wellbeing throughout life.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to hear from Siobhan Casey, Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, who will discuss the importance of ensuring older people are valued, heard and supported, with an opportunity to take part in a Q&A session.

Heather McConaghy, Libraries NI District Officer, said:

“Positive ageing is about continuing to enjoy life, discover new interests and find opportunities to stay active and involved in your community.

“The Positive Ageing Fair is a great opportunity to come into the library, meet a wide range of local organisations and find out about activities and support that people may not even realise are available to them.

“We are also delighted to include Mind Matters as an important part of the day, giving people the chance to hear from expert speakers and pick up practical advice on looking after their brain health and wellbeing as they age.

“There is plenty happening throughout the morning, so we would encourage people to come along, have a look around and see what might interest them.”

The Positive Ageing Fair takes place in Lisburn City Library on Tuesday 13 October, with stalls available from 10:00am – 1:00pm. The event is free to attend.

Mind Matters: Brain Health and Ageing Well takes place from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Booking for Mind Matters is essential by calling Lisburn City Library on 028 9266 9345 or emailing lisburncity.library@librariesni.org.uk.