Author: Julie White

Further support following our Carers Education Classes

A well over due Christmas Celebration for our Step Forward Long Term Conditions management programme. Our Annual celebration has been missed the past two years due to Covid restrictions, leaving everyone excited for good food, music and laughs. It is an important part of our Long term conditions management programme to encourage connections and include celebrations as part of our holistic approach to health and wellbeing. Please contact Jonathan or Pete to find out more

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

Some of our Step Forward Exercise members enjoying the Halloween Craic, with a fancy dress Party. Its not all Hard work and exercise, but fun, games and a bit of dancing too.

contact us for more information on how to join the fun

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 30^th 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.’