Page 52 - Guerin Media Ltd | Active Retirement Ireland Members Annual 2016
P. 52
BUNBROSNA MULTYFARNHAM BALLINAFID FOCUS ON LOCAL ARAs
Friday mornings by male and female members. Those A Voice for all Community and Voluntary Groups
guys who played hurling in the past are thoroughly Advocacy is an important aspect of BMBARA and
enjoying pickle ball. Yoga, Zumba, Line and Social over the last two years we met with local TDs and
Dancing, Nordic Walking have been tried. Councillors prior to the Budget and Local elections.
A major success for BMBARA was the Men’s Health We appreciated the opportunity to air our grievances
Programme which was initiated by founder member and have built up a good working relationship with
Mary Daly and was also piloted in this area. This them. Members also attended workshops on Advocacy,
programme was devised to create an awareness of on formation of Older Peoples Councils and we are
men’s health. This programme was shortlisted for an affiliated to the Public Participation Network. Two of
Aontas Award in 2013. A follow on to that programme, our members, Anne Drury and Maureen NcCormack
an Introduction to Mindfulness took place in are on the Secretariat of the PPN.
2014/2015. As we are a voluntary group we are dependent on
THE JOY OF CREATIVITY funding from a number of organisations but we
Art Classes (Acrylic/Watercolour) take place three always hold a number of fundraising activities. We
times a week and members exhibit a number of
times a year. Again, these classes are hugely popular Anne Drury explains:
and there is a vast pool of talent in the organisation. “The newly established PPNs which replaced the
Members enjoy the comradery as they chat and paint. County Voluntary Forums. The PPN provides a voice
There have been various craft activities over the past for all community and voluntary groups where
five years with The Patchwork Quilt, a huge success in groups work together to promote the well-being of
2014. The 5th and 6th classes from the local primary this and future generations. The PPN is the main
school got a taste of quilting and thoroughly enjoyed link through which the local authority connects
it and it was a great inter- generational exercise. with the community, voluntary and environmental
Members travelled to the Craft shop in Cliffoney, sectors. It actively supports inclusion of socially
Co. Sligo to see quilting in progress and purchase excluded groups or communities experiencing
materials. Members also enjoy an annual visit to the discrimination. Through the PPN members of Active
increasingly popular Knit and Stitch Show. retirement Ireland can raise issues of concern to
A number of our members got involved in the them and affect policy to enhance their quality
Costume Making section of the Heart of Ireland of life. The Secretariat implements decisions
Festival which took place in Mullingar in July this of the plenary where all groups come together,
year, these costumes were exhibited and were an coordinates activities of the PPN and communicates
amazing work of creativity. regularly with all members on all activities.”
To add variety, Wood Carving commenced in autumn
2014 and took place on Monday afternoons under the
watchful eye of Zimbabwean born woodcarver, Para.
Amazing craft work was produced and has started
again in November 2015.
CYBER SENIORS would like to thank our own members, members of
Training in use of computers took place over a the community and businesses who always support
number of years and there is a number of computers our events. Equally, when the opportunity arises, we
for members to use. Quite a large number are now are most happy to support good causes. In 2014
computer literate, use email and are regular users of we raised monies for the Alzheimer Society, Motor
Facebook. We are really proud of our eighty years old Neurone Ireland and the Irish Heart Foundation.
and older who interact with each other and friends
on our Facebook page.
Other activities that took place include Photography,
Bridge and Gardening and Quizzes. Our ethos is to tap
into peoples need and to furnish them with a suite of
activities that improve their lives in a holistic manner.
52 Active Retirement Ireland www.activeirl.ie
Friday mornings by male and female members. Those A Voice for all Community and Voluntary Groups
guys who played hurling in the past are thoroughly Advocacy is an important aspect of BMBARA and
enjoying pickle ball. Yoga, Zumba, Line and Social over the last two years we met with local TDs and
Dancing, Nordic Walking have been tried. Councillors prior to the Budget and Local elections.
A major success for BMBARA was the Men’s Health We appreciated the opportunity to air our grievances
Programme which was initiated by founder member and have built up a good working relationship with
Mary Daly and was also piloted in this area. This them. Members also attended workshops on Advocacy,
programme was devised to create an awareness of on formation of Older Peoples Councils and we are
men’s health. This programme was shortlisted for an affiliated to the Public Participation Network. Two of
Aontas Award in 2013. A follow on to that programme, our members, Anne Drury and Maureen NcCormack
an Introduction to Mindfulness took place in are on the Secretariat of the PPN.
2014/2015. As we are a voluntary group we are dependent on
THE JOY OF CREATIVITY funding from a number of organisations but we
Art Classes (Acrylic/Watercolour) take place three always hold a number of fundraising activities. We
times a week and members exhibit a number of
times a year. Again, these classes are hugely popular Anne Drury explains:
and there is a vast pool of talent in the organisation. “The newly established PPNs which replaced the
Members enjoy the comradery as they chat and paint. County Voluntary Forums. The PPN provides a voice
There have been various craft activities over the past for all community and voluntary groups where
five years with The Patchwork Quilt, a huge success in groups work together to promote the well-being of
2014. The 5th and 6th classes from the local primary this and future generations. The PPN is the main
school got a taste of quilting and thoroughly enjoyed link through which the local authority connects
it and it was a great inter- generational exercise. with the community, voluntary and environmental
Members travelled to the Craft shop in Cliffoney, sectors. It actively supports inclusion of socially
Co. Sligo to see quilting in progress and purchase excluded groups or communities experiencing
materials. Members also enjoy an annual visit to the discrimination. Through the PPN members of Active
increasingly popular Knit and Stitch Show. retirement Ireland can raise issues of concern to
A number of our members got involved in the them and affect policy to enhance their quality
Costume Making section of the Heart of Ireland of life. The Secretariat implements decisions
Festival which took place in Mullingar in July this of the plenary where all groups come together,
year, these costumes were exhibited and were an coordinates activities of the PPN and communicates
amazing work of creativity. regularly with all members on all activities.”
To add variety, Wood Carving commenced in autumn
2014 and took place on Monday afternoons under the
watchful eye of Zimbabwean born woodcarver, Para.
Amazing craft work was produced and has started
again in November 2015.
CYBER SENIORS would like to thank our own members, members of
Training in use of computers took place over a the community and businesses who always support
number of years and there is a number of computers our events. Equally, when the opportunity arises, we
for members to use. Quite a large number are now are most happy to support good causes. In 2014
computer literate, use email and are regular users of we raised monies for the Alzheimer Society, Motor
Facebook. We are really proud of our eighty years old Neurone Ireland and the Irish Heart Foundation.
and older who interact with each other and friends
on our Facebook page.
Other activities that took place include Photography,
Bridge and Gardening and Quizzes. Our ethos is to tap
into peoples need and to furnish them with a suite of
activities that improve their lives in a holistic manner.
52 Active Retirement Ireland www.activeirl.ie
