Causeway Coast and Glens at launch of new charity

The new charity held a launch event at Ballymoney Town Hall on Tuesday 11 May to engage with older people from the Ballymoney, Limavady, Moyle and Coleraine areas and to celebrate the journey of its two legacy charities and their combined 60 years of experience.

Attended by Ballymoney Mayor, Alderman Frank Campbell, the event was an opportunity for the new charity to share its vision and aspirations with older people from voluntary, community and age sector groups.

Mayor Campbell said: "It gives me great pleasure to host the launch of Age NI at Ballymoney Town Hall and wish the charity well as it strives to achieve its vision – a world in which older people flourish."

Anne O'Reilly, Age NI Chief Executive commented: "In the last year, with the support of partners and stakeholders, Age NI made a significant impact on the lives of 158,000 older people throughout NI, including those who benefit from our First Connect and HandyVan services in the Northern Board area."

Anne continued: "With more people over 50 than under 19 living in Northern Ireland at present, we need to plan effectively for older people now and in the future. In 30 years one third of the population of Northern Ireland will be of retirement age. We believe that our ageing society is a demographic bounty that offers exciting opportunities for all of us. What we know with certainty is that older people expect to be treated as full and equal citizens in the economic & social life of Northern Ireland."