Support an Age NI Day Centre - A Day at Skainos
Published on 25 September 2023 11:00 AM
As the leaves fall and the days shorten, we ask you to remember the many older people in your community who will be increasingly isolated and alone.
Operating throughout Northern Ireland, Age NI provide Day Centres which offer vital care, companionship and community to isolated or lonely older people.
Meet Lucy, Pat, Eileen, and Wendy, weekly visitors to Age NI's Skainos Day Centre in Belfast
“I didn’t think I would go out again. I was so afraid of falling, it was such a dramatic experience.” Eileen told us how Skainos has been a real lifeline for her, having been referred after a bad fall.
Eileen found that after her fall her loss of confidence was her biggest hurdle. She has now been attending Skainos since October last year and she loves it.
"I have definitely recommended Age NI to my friends who are in similar situations to mine, we look upon it as a lifeline."
“I had been thinking about coming to a place like this, for some time, so when my friend went, it spurred me on to make arrangements and find out how I could be referred.”
Wendy attends the Skainos Day Centre once a week, and the structure of attendance has been a great way of alleviating isolation when she isn't around family.
When asked what she enjoyed most at Skainos, Pat told us, “I just join in with everything.”
Pat also talked about how much the staff genuinely care for the people at the day centre, how Ivan their driver pops out with a shopping list for the essential pick up of bread, milk, loo roll and tea bags, how Jean’s menu is always varied and enjoyable, and how Wendy the manager and David the care worker have so much time for everyone.
Lucy, our longest serving day centre attendee, has been coming for 26 years! She lives at home with her daughter. Her attendance gives her a positive structure to her day and companionship when her daughter is out at work.
“Why sit in the house depressed when you can come in and enjoy time with your friends.”
Supporting our growing community of older people like Pat, Eileen, Lucy and Wendy is vital and providing the right balance of practical care, fun and support to positively enrich their lives is at the heart of what we do here at Age NI.
Please consider a donation today to help Age NI provide care, companionship and community to an older person living in your area.