Events diary

NI Regional Executive Committee of u3a's Summer School

On 5 June, the Commissioner had the honour of being today’s Key Note speaker at the NI Regional Executive Committee of u3a's Summer School. 

Visiting the Greenmount campus of The College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise, Siobhan talked about her priorities & her upcoming Corporate Plan.

Antrim & Newtownabbey Seniors Forum AGM

On 30 May, the Commissioner attended the Antrim & Newtownabbey Seniors Forum AGM.

 Siobhan once again spoke with the forum and detailed her aims for her new role as Commissioner and discussed her upcoming corporate plan. 

Staying Young

The Commissioner attended a meeting by the Strabane and District Caring Services’ Stay Young group on 29 May. 

Siobhan spoke with the group and detailed her future aims for her new role as Commissioner and discussed her upcoming plan for the next four years. 

QUB care home conference

On 8 May, the Commissioner gave the opening address to Queen’s University’s sixth annual care homes conference. 

The title of this year’s conference was, Enhancing safety, quality and experience of residents in care homes.

Civil Service Pensioners Alliance AGM

On 7 May, Siobhan Casey attended the Civil Service Pensioners Alliance AGM at the Presbyterian Assembly Buildings in Belfast.

During the annual meeting, the Commissioner welcomed the opportunity to learn the audience’s views on how best to design public services for the older generation. She outlined a number of key priorities which she aims to address during her four-year tenure, from housing and health and social care to transport, age discrimination, and disparities in the provision of goods and services to older people.

Healthy Living Centre

In April, the Commissioner visited the Healthy Living Centre at the Old Library Trust, Derry.

The Old Library Trust, a registered charity, delivers services and activities aimed at reducing health inequalities and tackling the root causes of poor health. From a programme of fitness classes to social groups, their work plays a crucial role in improving physical and mental wellbeing—including older members of the community. Siobhan joined in the ‘step forward’ exercise session which’s aims to empower older adults to live healthier, more active lives

A healthy lifestyle isn’t just about adding years to life, but adding life to those years—and places like this make it possible! 

Talking newspapers

The Commissioner kicked off her first official engagement with a visit to Craigavon Area Talking Newspaper. The service is led by a group of older volunteers who help make local news accessible to those with sight loss by recording and distributing audio versions of weekly newspapers 

Each week, the dedicated team ensures around 60 audio editions of the Lurgan Mail and Portadown Times reach blind and partially sighted listeners.  Services like this are essential in making sure older people, especially those with sight loss, stay connected to their communities.