Older people think NW is a great place to live but concerns exist

Lloyd Magee, second from right, of the Bonds Street Community Association, says its good to grow old in Londonderry but there are difficulties.

However, 200 older people from Claudy, Clooney, Irish Street, Newbuildings, Bond’s Street and Donemena, amongst other areas, also pointed out various issues that need to be addressed.

“This is a great place to grow older but there are certain aspects of living here, which make life difficult for us,” was the Chairman of Bond’s Street Community Association and Age Concern Pensioner of the Year, Lloyd Magee’s input.

The Londonderry Healthy Cities ‘Developing Our Age Friendly City and Region’ report will be presented to Derry City Council on Thursday (October 9).

It follows on from the ‘One Plan’s’ vision of creating an ‘Age Friendly Region’ in the North West and will now inform an action plan that will be set out to achieve this.

According to the report the engagement feedback was overwhelmingly positive with strong agreement that Londonderry and Strabane are good places to grow older.

However, the report adds: “There are clear issues and concerns that the older people involved in this engagement have around what makes life difficult for them in their community and in this part of the world.”

One respondent complained that “people come and consult with us and then we never see them again or hear about progress” and another said “we are missing out on vital information that would benefit us.”

One person said “there is sometimes a lack of respect for us.” Another said: “I don’t know who to go to if I have concerns about pavements and poor lighting.”

The report concluded: “The Derry City and Strabane District Council region has many age friendly characteristics.

“The friendliness of its people and their generosity, proactive and inclusive community support, caring neighbourhoods and affordable and friendly taxi services stand out as reasons why older people like living in this part of the world.

“But the region also has a number of features that create significant hindrances for older people including high levels of dog fouling, complicated communication with service providers and lack of public toilets available in both city and town centres.”

The Derry Healthy Cities and Public Health Agency (PHA) supported report will be presented to the Derry City Council Environmental Services Committee tomorrow.