Page 31 - Guerin Media Ltd | Active Retirement Ireland Members Annual 2016
P. 31
RAMS FOCUS ON LOCAL ARAs
RETIRED ACTIVE MEN’S SOCIAL
The award winning R.A.Ms, “Retired Active Men’s Social”, are a wonderful example of community
empowerment and the power of leadership. Here Michael Maher shares the story of how they came
into being and the exciting things they have been up to.
Over a few pints in the local one Sunday evening a we would become involved with local community
small group of friends who were all about to retire activities and indeed over the past 5 years we have
got chatting as to what the “idle” days ahead were established a reputation within the community as
likely to consist of. the “go to” people when certain activities need to be
c arried out.
One of the group (Matt Dowling) suggested that we 1. While not in any way
form a retired men’s group in the village - and to wanting to be regarded
make a 5 year story short - we did - and by so doing as the local Tidy Towns RetiredFoMAucentmidvebedeM:rs2e:0n81’s20Social
we consigned the words “idle days” to the dust bin. committee we picked a ”TWhehqeruoteieumsdrtiseideotlnovwewews eeoisvrn.ek.o.r”..w.g?eatstkhe
R.A.M.S. (Retired Active Men’s Social) Newcastle specific area within the
held our first meeting in early September 2010 with village for which we took
an attendance of 11. We now number 82 and still responsibility and our
growing! gardening group plant &
maintain that area. We
The objective of R.A.M.S. is to provide a social get great support from
outlet through healthy activities and to help combat South Dublin Co. Council
loneliness (where applicable) among retired men in this & other areas through their Community
over 55 years of age in the greater Newcastle area. Development team.
2. With the support of Fingal Leader Partnership
We meet every Thursday morning in the local we were trained to carry out GRAVE MAPPING
St. Finian’s Community Hall from 10.00a.m to in our local area - and now beyond - where we
12.30pm. Where members can take part in a range transcribe the details from headstones/markers
of activities including: indoor mat bowling/table in cemeteries and post these details on the
tennis/pool/ cards (can be very animating!). There internet where those living abroad access the
is also of course the facility to sit & discuss (& of burial details of their ancestors.
course solve) the hot topics of the day from sport to 3. Fingal leader also arranged for training of 3 of
the free travel pass. our members in a Media Training Programme
as a result of which events of local interest e.g.
Our “Resident Chef” - Matt – provides fresh scones, closing of the old primary school in Newcastle
Tea/ Coffee for our meetings and once a month or so and opening of new school are all preserved on
we enjoy a light lunch of soup /rolls. record for future generations.
As the club developed it was a natural process that
www.activeirl.ie Active Retirement Ireland 31
RETIRED ACTIVE MEN’S SOCIAL
The award winning R.A.Ms, “Retired Active Men’s Social”, are a wonderful example of community
empowerment and the power of leadership. Here Michael Maher shares the story of how they came
into being and the exciting things they have been up to.
Over a few pints in the local one Sunday evening a we would become involved with local community
small group of friends who were all about to retire activities and indeed over the past 5 years we have
got chatting as to what the “idle” days ahead were established a reputation within the community as
likely to consist of. the “go to” people when certain activities need to be
c arried out.
One of the group (Matt Dowling) suggested that we 1. While not in any way
form a retired men’s group in the village - and to wanting to be regarded
make a 5 year story short - we did - and by so doing as the local Tidy Towns RetiredFoMAucentmidvebedeM:rs2e:0n81’s20Social
we consigned the words “idle days” to the dust bin. committee we picked a ”TWhehqeruoteieumsdrtiseideotlnovwewews eeoisvrn.ek.o.r”..w.g?eatstkhe
R.A.M.S. (Retired Active Men’s Social) Newcastle specific area within the
held our first meeting in early September 2010 with village for which we took
an attendance of 11. We now number 82 and still responsibility and our
growing! gardening group plant &
maintain that area. We
The objective of R.A.M.S. is to provide a social get great support from
outlet through healthy activities and to help combat South Dublin Co. Council
loneliness (where applicable) among retired men in this & other areas through their Community
over 55 years of age in the greater Newcastle area. Development team.
2. With the support of Fingal Leader Partnership
We meet every Thursday morning in the local we were trained to carry out GRAVE MAPPING
St. Finian’s Community Hall from 10.00a.m to in our local area - and now beyond - where we
12.30pm. Where members can take part in a range transcribe the details from headstones/markers
of activities including: indoor mat bowling/table in cemeteries and post these details on the
tennis/pool/ cards (can be very animating!). There internet where those living abroad access the
is also of course the facility to sit & discuss (& of burial details of their ancestors.
course solve) the hot topics of the day from sport to 3. Fingal leader also arranged for training of 3 of
the free travel pass. our members in a Media Training Programme
as a result of which events of local interest e.g.
Our “Resident Chef” - Matt – provides fresh scones, closing of the old primary school in Newcastle
Tea/ Coffee for our meetings and once a month or so and opening of new school are all preserved on
we enjoy a light lunch of soup /rolls. record for future generations.
As the club developed it was a natural process that
www.activeirl.ie Active Retirement Ireland 31
