Looking Back A Generation
It is estimated that 2 trillion photos are taken every year, but no one is really looking at them. Most of the photos taken by your smartphone are only given a cursory glance. When our children and grandchildren inherit our iPhones, will they be able to access the multitude of photos they know are stored within them or would they rather have an album or a shoebox of old photographs with dates and locations written on the back through which they can time travel and see granny as a young girl.
The American photographer Paul Strand whose work emphasised sharp focused objective images said, “ Your photograph is a record of your living, for anyone who really wants to see.”
It has been an exceptional pleasure for me to peruse old photographs with Tommy McDonald, ( a great supporter of and benefactor to our charity ) to delve through the archives and get an opportunity to recognise old acquaintances and appreciate this wonderfully rich and varied collage of people and places from our community who contributed to this rich tapestry of life.
I am sure, like me, as you leaf through these pages you will recognise work colleagues, old acquaintances and family members which will evoke pleasant memories.
And now, some information about our charity.
Age Concern Causeway was founded as a local charity in 1977 by local people to support and empower older people in the Coleraine area.
Five years ago the majority of our focus shifted to assisting those living with dementia and their families. Dementia is a growing challenge and is now one of the most important health and care issues facing the world and certainly is a “ ticking time bomb “ for the NHS which doesn’t have the resource to tackle this increasing crisis.
This is where the “ rubber hits the road “ with Age Concern Causeway.
When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, it can be difficult for families to decide how best to support them. With the right help, people living with dementia can continue to live independently in their own homes surrounded by familiar memories. This helps maintain their confidence, daily routines, and peace of mind
We organise Dementia Support Groups, eight in total operating weekly across six locations :- Ballycastle, Ballymoney (2), Coleraine (2), Garvagh, Limavady and Portrush. The groups are designed for cognitive stimulation, fun and social interaction.
In 2023 we commenced with a new initiative by offering a one to one support service for those living with dementia providing weekly staff visits to individuals in their own homes for one hour offering reminiscence, chat and games.
Recently launched in July 2024 is our Caring for the Carer service, providing relief for the Carer offering a three hour sitting service where a trained member of staff stays with your loved one while you attend an appointment.
Safeguarding for our clients is of major importance to us. In Sept. 2024 a wristband with QR code containing personal information details has been issued in the event of a client leaving or wandering from home. PSNI are aware of this initiative snd will be able to return a client safely to their home after identification.
Our work is not all geared to those living and coping with dementia.
We also offer Meet & Eat. We recognised that after Covid people were still reluctant to leave their homes and many suffered from loneliness. Meet & Eat groups are for people aged 55 and over where our aim is to promote mental and emotional wellbeing as well as building their confidence and tackling their loneliness. Hosted in local restaurants it is an opportunity to socialise and make new friends.
Our charity shop is based at 3 Brook St. Coleraine and is operated by a dedicated team of volunteers. It is open from Monday to Saturday and provides vital income for our charity. All monies raised through our shop and charity events are used locally throughout our Borough. Our work is funded through the National Lottery, without this we could not function and we are indebted to them for their support.
The extras which we can provide for our clients through fund raising events and the donation from the sale of this book are vital to the welfare of our clients.
Thank you for buying a copy.
