‘Ageing society at crossroads’

Mid & East Antrim Council has a supporting role to play in ensuring that our growing elderly population get a fair deal.
(From left) Deirdre McCloskey, from the Ballymena based Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership (MEAAP), Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Timothy Gaston, Linda Robinson Age NI CEO, Caroline McKeown MEAAP, Patricia McCormick MEEAP and Eileen Mullan, Age NI Chair during the Making Later Life Better event in the ECOS Centre, Ballymena focusing on the partnership, planning and action that must be taken to ensure a better later life for people in the Mid and East Antrim council areas. (Submitted Picture).(From left) Deirdre McCloskey, from the Ballymena based Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership (MEAAP), Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Timothy Gaston, Linda Robinson Age NI CEO, Caroline McKeown MEAAP, Patricia McCormick MEEAP and Eileen Mullan, Age NI Chair during the Making Later Life Better event in the ECOS Centre, Ballymena focusing on the partnership, planning and action that must be taken to ensure a better later life for people in the Mid and East Antrim council areas. (Submitted Picture).
(From left) Deirdre McCloskey, from the Ballymena based Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership (MEAAP), Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Timothy Gaston, Linda Robinson Age NI CEO, Caroline McKeown MEAAP, Patricia McCormick MEEAP and Eileen Mullan, Age NI Chair during the Making Later Life Better event in the ECOS Centre, Ballymena focusing on the partnership, planning and action that must be taken to ensure a better later life for people in the Mid and East Antrim council areas. (Submitted Picture).

That was the message delivered to a ‘Making Later Life Better Event’ in Ballymena’s ecos centre by Age NI Chair, Eileen Mullam.

She was addressing the Mid & East Antrim Agewell Partnership (MEAAP) about the partnership, planning and action that must be taken to ensure a better later life for people in Northern Ireland, now and in the future.

Eileen told its members: “Our population is ageing – by 2033, the number of people over 65 in Northern Ireland is set to increase by over 60%.

“Right now we are at a crossroads, facing important choices that will affect NI society for generations to come.

“In the last eight years we have been working with eleven regional networks including MEAAP to ensure the greater collaboration of older people’s groups across NI and to strengthen the regional voice of older people.

“These networks were developed with the new councils in mind so that they would be in a proactive position to influence important decisions on local policy and services in their local area.

“We recognise the important role of the Council in this process and welcome their commitment today.

“In partnership with MEAAP and with the support of Mid & East Antrim Borough Council and local stakeholders, we believe that we can encourage greater understanding of the potential that exists in later life,” Eileen said.

Deputy Mayor of Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, Timothy Gaston said: “ It is our aim to positively contribute to the diverse needs of older people and enhance their well being and independence. It is important to proactively engage with older people.”

ten to their voice and ensure that they play a significant role in community planning in the area. Working together we can make Mid and East Antrim Borough a better place for all.’