Chaperoning scheme for elderly proposed

Davys Street Residents' Association hosted a coffee morning at YMCA Carrickfergus last Monday. The meeting was held to inform older residents of the area about the activities of the Association and to gather feedback over what the group could do for them. Guest speaker Maureen Logan (far right) from Good Morning Carrickfergus, who gave out advice and information to help the aged and their carers in the community. INCT 03-722-CON

Davys Street Residents Association held a coffee morning last Monday at the Carrick YMCA building.

Aimed primarily at older people, the meeting provided an update on the group’s activities as well as gathering feedback on the projects that residents would like to see.

The accessibility of the town as a whole was raised at the meeting, according to group secretary, Al Creighton. He said: “There was quite a hard frost on Monday so that affected the numbers that were able to attend; in fact that was one of the first issues raised as people were finding it quite hard to get around. We are looking for volunteers to go out and grit the footpaths from the yellow grit boxes.”

Meanwhile, with an increasing amount of information now available online, many pensioners expressed an interest in a technology training course.

“Some pensioners have got themselves up to date mobiles and were interested in learning how to use them and to get on the Internet,” said Al.

“Another issue that was raised was the difficulty of getting out and about; some pensioners would like to get out more but are anxious about going on their own; particularly if they’re going to visit a relative in a place that they don’t know very well.

“We talked about getting chaperones to accompany older people at times like this.

“In the past we’ve taken older people on trips to places like the zoo; a lot of them have expressed an interest in visiting the Titanic building in Belfast so there’ll hopefully be something organised to go up there in the next few months.”

The Association, which has in the past received funding from the local Policing and Community Safety partnership (PCSP), was formed six months ago.

The group has the long-term focus of spearheading regeneration in the Davys Street area, with plans for an allotment area and a community mural.

Al continued: “People in the street have shown an interest in gardening as well as growing their own fruit and veg. There are plans for a garden and a few raised beds out on the green.

“We’ll hopefully have an area where we can have a Christmas tree as well.

“There have been a few problems with graffiti and slogans appearing on the walls around the area, so the Association is looking for a group to come and do a mural, something that could get local kids involved.”