Health & Wellbeing Get Together in Aughnacloy

Sharon from Compassionate Communities Northern Ireland along with other Mid Ulster Loneliness Network committee members, Sandra McKenna, MULN Chair, Tracey Powell, SHSCT, Raisa Donnelly, Mid Ulster District Council, Marie Devlin, Age Well Partnership and Doreen Bolton, NHSCT, hosted another Health & Wellbeing Get Together in the Aghaloo Community Centre, Aughnacloy on Monday, 14 April.

Steps to Wellbeing

The event brought older people living in rural communities together under the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing initiative. The event provided information and activities on the 5 components - Be Active, Connect, Keep Learning, Take Notice and Give. 

Planning Ahead

Under ‘Keep Learning’ CCNI introduced an important element of living well - planning ahead for a time of declining health or an unexpected health crisis. The play 'Sure I'm only 76' highlighted the importance of Writing a Will and information on Advance Care Planning in Northern Ireland was provided. 

Power of Attorney As in Pomeroy, people in Aughnacloy wanted to know more about Power of Attorney and Enduring Power of Attorney. Questions such as ‘Who are they’, ‘How are they appointed?’, ‘What powers do they?’ and ‘Can they sell my house?’ were common queries.

Wills and Digital Assets

Around 20% of the audience had made a will and less than 20% had reviewed it in the recommended five years. A 2024 Which survey suggests that a significant majority of people who have a will have not included their digital assets which includes digital accounts and online assets, emails, photos and social media accounts . 

Through regular engagement we understand the anxiety and fear people report when trying to understand complex systems and technical language.  Providing opportunities through events and co-designing informational resources is an important element of what CCNI does to help people make informed choices about future care needs ahead of a health crisis.

For more information on available resources please go to our Plan Ahead page or view the full gallery below.