Our partnership work with Ardnashee School to deliver a health and wellbeing programme for some of their older students came to an end for the Christmas holidays. The group enjoyed a well earned celebratory breakfast and a visit from a special guest. Each Pupil received a health information pack funded by Cash for kids and purchased from Fresh Minds Education.
We are looking forward to the New year, for more exercise delivery with Ardnashee
WARM HUB UPDATE
The Old Library Trust is delighted to welcome all local people to our newly refurbished larger relaxed, open & welcoming café space to avail of our FREE provision of food & refreshments throughout the week
Whilst your here why not chat to one of the staff & get involved in one of our many programmes & services that will help improve your general health & mental wellbeing
See you all next week!
PS Newspapers, board games, wifi & TV all available.
Just one thing… Please be respectful, treat the cafe like your own home & tidy up after yourself
THANK YOU & ENJOY!
Now its 2023 it is important to reflect on the year that has passed but more importantly to look forward to the year ahead. Surround yourself with loved ones, friends and family and those that can support you with a renewed sense of hope, ambition and belief in a better future ahead.
2022 has been a really challenging year and 2023 will indeed have its challenges but it is important to know that no matter what your situation there is always support out there for each and everyone.
The Old Library Trust team will continue to support local people who are dealing with a wide range of issues so please just reach out, get in touch and we can assist you. We have a full range of services, programmes and activities that we know will help improve either one or a combination of your physical , social, emotional and mental wellbeing.
Here’s to more positive times ahead!
HAPPY NEW YEAR
From everyone at the Old Library Trust
Following yesterday’s great training day for our staff to update their First Aid at Work, we want to say a huge thank you to Elaine from Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum and Marirose from Northwest Volunteer Centre for their delivery and support
Thanks to funding from a variety of sources the Old Library trust has been able to rethink its original Café space.
Thank you to the Belfast charity society for introducing the organisation to some new funders who understood what the organisation was trying to achieve with its new vision of the café area for local people. Tom Howard fund & Hunter Smyth alongside the National Lottery Community Fund and Derry City & Strabane District Council has meant that both capital and revenue money could be invested to help create a space that is open, welcoming, friendly, warm and offers food and refreshments during these challenging times.
Project Director George McGowan thanked everyone involved. He said,
“Thank you to all those mentioned above for supporting this new upgrade and venture that will offer local residents a safe friendly space to connect with other residents, organisations, programmes and services whilst availing of food and refreshments throughout the course of the day. We do have further plans for development in the new year and hope that other funders and partners will come with us on this new and exciting journey for the local community.”
Recognition to Paula Reynolds from the Belfast charitable society for her energy and effort in this process.
OLT along with partners at St. Mary’s Youth club host community nutrition event.
The event, part of the OLT’s ‘Community Food Initiative’ programme, which saw the delivery of a one-off community event that highlighted the importance of eating and living well to families and children under 12
Held on Wednesday 30th November, the Old Library Trust, recruited the support of local cook, Laurent Pirone to deliver in person the cooking demo, alongside local kickboxing coach Daniel Quigley (Strike) to provide an evening of nutrition awareness, cooking and physical activity.
The event is one aspect of the OLT’s CFI programme and events which aims to improve the availability and access to safe & healthy food options, highlighting local organisations that are offering specialised programmes to local community. Supporting community awareness/knowledge around healthy eating in providing families with access to hot meals, and opportunities to learn more about how to cook meals at home and on a budget.
Delighted with how the project went Julie White, Healthy Lifestyle Co-Ordinator at the OLT said: ‘We have been delighted to work in partnership with our local youth club, in bringing together local chef and sports coach to provide families with an evening of food and learning that we hope can be transferred into the home life. We understand that people are facing difficulty with the current cost of living, and we hope that providing these events can equip parents and families to make better food choices that are affordable and promote good health.’
International Men’s Day – On Saturday 19th November the Old Library Trust (OLT) held a one-off event to celebrate International Men’s Day, the OLT dedicated a day of complimentary therapies, health checks and awareness raising to provide men the opportunity to access treatment and support for their health and wellbeing. This event gave men access to detailed health screening, in blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose, providing a clear indicator of their current health and staff offered help with the next steps to improve their health.
The OLT aim is to support our community, particularly men, who are at higher risk of poor mental health, suicide and who ordinarily wouldn’t avail of support services; by planning a large-scale wellness day on International Men’s Day and highlight their key theme of this year is “Helping Men and Boys”.
Local man Seamus Breslin said: ‘It’s great to see these health days in our community. Far too often, we men fail to get checked out and more should be availing of these opportunities within the Creggan community.’ ‘Regardless of age, all males should be taking part in health checks. Get your cholesterol, blood press and sugar levels checked regularly. Well done to the Old Library Trust for bringing programmes like this to the Creggan.’
Another local man, Michael McGuinness, praised the OLT for their forward-thinking. ‘These things didn’t happen twenty years ago. It’s good to get your health checked out as regularly as possible and these kinds of events should help promote the importance of staying healthy, for all of us, young men as well as those the same age as myself. I even enjoyed the social aspect of today’s programme. I’m meeting people!’
Julie White, Communities in Transition Project Co-Ordinator at The Old Library Trust also highlighted the importance of connecting people to their community and the support available.
Julie commented: ‘Today’s event is part of our aim to raise the spirits of local men and highlight the importance of providing opportunities and access for men to engage and discuss their health and taking those key steps to making a positive change.’
‘A big thanks you also to our funders at the NI Executive Office who continue to support the work of our organisation but more importantly our residents and communities.’ The OLT will be launching new programmes and events in January and wish to encourage anyone who needs support to keep an eye out for our newsletter in 2023
Our DEEDs team get together with The Inishowen Choir, Holy Childs PS, St. Johns PS & their DEEDs members to create a wonderful event getting everyone in the mood for Christmas
The event at the Healthy Living centre seen over 50 people come together to sing along to Christmas favourites and get in the festive spirit. Renditions of Little donkey, Silent night and Merry Christmas were heard with some light refreshments and socialising afterwards.
145 Local older residents attend a fantastic night at the City Hotel
What a night was had at our Xmas Dementia Friendly Dinner Dance at the City Hotel were we had a beautiful dinner and dessert. The entertainment was from one of our favourite bands Midnight Sun and they played a wonderful array of songs for everyone and the old Xmas favourites
It was the biggest crowd we had with 145 people out to join in our Dance and it was wonderful to see everyone enjoying themselves, dancing away on the floor & even a bit of line dancing
Big thankyou to the City Hotel for hosting us again and for the beautiful meal and to Philip and Micky Wilson for the entertainment. Hope you all had a wonderful night and looking forward to seeing you all for our Easter Dance !
