TOWN
Targeting Older Women's Needs
A programme designed to help isolated older women throughout Northern Ireland by providing services that aim to support accessibility to and integrate them into their communities.
TOWN targets older women who are at risk from poverty, isolation and social exclusion, mental and physical health, failure to access services, fear of being victims of crime and lack of quality accessible transport. The project coincided with International Day of Older Persons October 2015.
Activities of the programme include:
Building a Northern Ireland wide forum to influence policy affecting older women
Intergenerational events to foster community spirit
Promotion of intergenerational mentoring and volunteering
Weekly social activities focused on developing skills, personal well-being, social networking, storytelling and volunteering
Project highlights
Older women benefitting from this project are expected to:
Have improved self-worth
Be empowered to re-engage with their communities
Feel more connected and less isolated due to previous fear of young people through intergenerational networking
Become more involved in day to day community activities
Continue to participate in intergenerational activities and service following the project end
Project Partners
Ballynafeigh Community Development Association, South Belfast)
Churchtown Community Association, Castlederg)
Falls Women's Centre, West Belfast
Foyle Women's Information Network, Derry/Londonderry
Homes United against Ruthless Terror, Lurgan & Portadown
Loughgiel Community Association, Ballymena
Short Strand Community Forum, East Belfast