Author: Julie White

A year in video…

The Old Library Trust Healthy Living Centre’s chair Charlie O’Donnell paid a ‘massive thank you to the staff, directors, and service users for contributing to the phenomenal, continued support to local people during Tuesday’s AGM in Creggan.

Today, around 2000+ people come through the doors of the OLT Healthy Living Centre at Central Drive each week to avail of a wide range of physical, social, emotional, and mental wellbeing programmes, activities, and events.

OLT chairperson Charlie O’Donnell welcomed members, users, and public attendees, before giving an overview of the year’s activities, after which he went on to praise the board, staff, and service users for their continued commitment throughout what was another challenging but highly supportive year.

After the minutes were approved, the annual accounts were presented by James Nash (Moore Stephens), who congratulated OLT on great work that was evident at the AGM and highlighted a sound financial performance for the year ending.

Taking the floor to give his annual report, project director George McGowan gave an overview of the year’s highlights and challenges faced by the organisation and service users. Marking that it was his sixth AGM as project director, he paid tribute to the directors and staff for their continued valuable work and commitment while also acknowledging all the Old Library Trust’s funders ‘without whom the work and operation of the Health Living Centre would not be possible’.

Programmes Manager Sabrina Lynch emphasised the strategic priorities of the organisation and made special mention of the critical role that the whole team have played in supporting local people during another period of uncertainty and challenge with the impact of the cost of living affecting peoples financial, physical, and mental wellbeing.

She then called on individual service delivery summaries from the organisation’s programme co-ordinators including Sinead Devine, Jonathan Peberdy, Julie White and Sharon Doherty.

Positive service user stories and testimonials as well as voice messages from programme participants were recalled by co-ordinators during the presentations which painted a very encouraging light on how the organisation’s programmes have local people’s needs at the forefront of everything they do. Service users praised OLT staff for their help in making such a positive contribution to their lives. This concluded with a short video giving an overview of the year’s main highlights and activities.

Project Director George McGowan concluded the AGM by emphasising the organisations continued commitment to local people by stating.

“Everything we do here is for the benefit of the local community. We listen, engage, and design our programmes and services to address the health and wellbeing issues that this community face day and daily. This community deserves to, and has the right to, receive the proper support like anywhere else in the city & district or across the North. We will advocate on your behalf, elevate your voice, and continue to make sure that you, your loved ones, family, and friends are afforded every opportunity to improve your quality of life and general health and wellbeing.”

The Creggan neighbourhood will host a new festival, Equinox, on Wednesday 20th March. Equinox will be a time for creativity,  sharing stories, cleansing and celebration and will feature a series of events taking place across Creggan from sunrise to sunset.

The equinox, or Cónocht an Earraigh in Gaelic, has held a special place in Ireland for thousands of years. The word “equinox” derives its name from the Latin term “eqi” which means “equal” and “nox” which means “night”. There are two equinoxes each year in March and September, when the day and night are approximately 12 hours each everywhere on Earth. Some speculate that the close proximity of the spring equinox to St Patrick’s Day is due to a merging of ancient Celtic traditions with more modern Christian rituals.

Congratulations to staff and volunteers from Reading Rooms at Verbal Arts Centre for completing the DEEDS Dementia Awareness Training.

Thank you for helping Derry & Strabane become more dementia friendly. If you would like more information on our Dementia Awareness Training or the Immersive Experience, please contact eilish@olt.ie or phone 02871 373870

The programme alternates between day and evening sessions to try and capture those carers who may still be working or find it hard to come out during the day. All dates and time are noted until June

The Drop In offers peer support but also sometimes speakers and directed conversation on topics that carers wish to explore. Come chat, or listen and learn. As it is a drop in  no booking is required and it is not necessary to attend all sessions – just attend when you can.

For more information contact Sinead on 028 71 37 38 70 or email sinead@olt.ie

Supported by OLT staff & National lottery community funding

The Nerve Centre Presents…

Willie Barrett’s Gweedore Reunion in aid of our DEEDS – Dementia Engaged and Empowered in Derry & Strabane PROJECT

Thank you to everyone involved & for choosing to support local people living with dementia & their families through this AMAZING event!

Please share, get you tickets & support this great cause!

The Board of directors & Staff would like to invite you all to the annual general meeting scheduled in the healthy living centre on Tuesday the 12th March at 1pm.

Come along and hear what we have been up to over the last year

Thank you!

Have you an interest in Snooker? Would you like to come along and join a few others in a casual non competitive environment for a bit of Craic and banter?

Why not get in touch with Pete and give it a go!

Are you a local man who would like to join other local men in a friendly and relaxed setting twice a week to improve your fitness, health and general wellbeing?

If so get in touch with Pete. Great group of lads that train in the healthy living centre on a Tuesday and Thursday evening.