Community Navigator Service launched in Mid Ulster
Published on 02 February 2018 12:00 AM
The Community Navigator Service is here to help people over 50 years old improve their health and well being, through encouraging greater links within the Mid Ulster community.
The Community Navigator Service has been officially launched in the Mid Ulster locality, thanks to investment from the Northern Health & Social Care Trust (NHSCT) at a Health and Well Being Event in the Glenavon Hotel on Wednesday 13 December. This service is available to anyone over 50 years old, across Cookstown and Magherafelt District areas, and will help connect them to the many vital community/voluntary services and activities within their local area, aiming to improve their social health and wellbeing and promote their independence.
Patricia McDade, Mid Ulster NHSCT Locality Team Lead stated “We have seen just how successful the Community Navigator service has been in the Causeway area, having recently completed a three year pilot project, and we are now delighted to see the initiative being rolled out across all four locality areas within the Northern Health & Social Care Trust. We look forward to working with Age NI to develop this service for the Mid Ulster area.”
Anita Kelly, Community Navigator for the Mid Ulster area said “I am delighted to be involved with this new project and look forward to linking up with the many active community and voluntary groups in the area, to promote their services and activities.”
Elaine Curry, Age NI Partnership Manager commented, 'Age NI are delighted to welcome Anita to our team. She will signpost anyone over 50 years old to services and activities that are available within the community. This service will continue to encourage everyone to actively age well and will help ensure holistic person-centred care continues to grow momentum across all sectors within Mid Ulster, and indeed across the whole of the Northern Health & Social Care Trust area.'
The project will work closely with Northern Health & Social Care Trust Colleagues including Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Healthcare Assistances, District Nurses. The service will also accept referrals from other healthcare professionals, including local GP’s, Community Pharmacists and Care Workers.
Alternatively, if you would like to find out about what potential support is available in your local area, or would like to enquire on behalf of an older person eg family, friend or neighbour, please feel free to call us directly. (Details below)
The service is now open for enquiries and referrals, and has been officially launched at the Glenavon House Hotel on Wednesday 13th December 2017, where over 130 participants, including Trust staff, Statutory organisations, Community Groups and older people themselves participated in a Health and Well Being Event.
Chair of Mid Ulster Seniors Network, Raymond McGarvey said “The event has been a great success with older people’s groups connecting with each other and getting information from the 20 Exhibitor Information Stands. We are extremely happy that Anita is working within our area to develop and maintain links between the Trust, statutory and community and voluntary sectors, and helping to improve the lives of all people over 50, through signposting or referring them to relevant services and activities using an holistic person-centred approach. I’d recommend all groups to contact her to help promote their activities and reach a wider target audience.”
Other participants said the event was ‘Very informative’ ‘Fantastic networking opportunity’. ‘Great opportunity to meet groups/individuals and see what is happening in Mid Ulster area’. They enjoyed ‘meeting new people and finding out about services in the area’. They ‘didn't know so much was out there’ for older people’.
If you would like to find out what’s available for you or someone you know, or how the Community Navigator Service could benefit you or your community group, please contact Anita Kelly via the following details:
Anita Kelly
Age NI - Locality Community Navigator (Cookstown & Magherafelt areas)
c/o Mid Ulster Seniors Network
Positive Steps Community Centre
2c Park Avenue
Cookstown BT80 8AH
Tel: 07814 196 935
Email: communitynavigator.mu@ageni.org