Mid Ulster Seniors Network

14/10/2026

Manual Handling training for carers in Newry
on Monday 19th October
10am - 12pm.
Would you like information and training on how to look after yourself and to safely move or adjust a loved one.
This training is delivered by an external provider and a certificate will be issued.
Please contact [email protected] to book your place.

14/10/2026

Therapeutic Photography Programme 6-week
Cookstown Library 10.30am-12.30pm on Friday 13, 20 & 27 November, 4, 11 & 18 December 2026
This programme is aimed at people aged 50+.
No previous experience of photography required and all equipment will be provided.
Belfast Exposed, with support from Arts Council of Northern Ireland – Arts for Older People, is delighted to bring an exciting Therapeutic Photography Programme to Cookstown Library.
Come along and discover how photography can be a fun, creative and enjoyable way to explore the world around you!
What to Expect
• Learn new photography skills and techniques
• Explore creativity through photography
• Meet new people and enjoy a friendly, welcoming environment
• Have fun, share ideas and experiences
• Use photography as a way to express yourself and tell your own stories
• Discover new ways to look at your surroundings
Just bring yourself, your ideas and your enthusiasm. Whether you’re completely new to photography or already enjoy taking pictures, this is a wonderful opportunity to get creative, meet others and have fun.
Come along, pick up a camera and see what you can discover!
Places are limited — booking is essential!
To book a place click contact Cookstown Library directly Tel: 028 8676 3702
Email: [email protected]

14/10/2026

Sharing Music Together - Mon 19 Oct - 10am - Cookstown Library
Free Music Therapy Taster Session for people living with dementia and their companions at Cookstown Library.
📅 Monday 19 October 2026
⏰ 10.00am–11.30am
📍 Cookstown Library
The session will be led by HCPC registered music therapist Cathy Quinn from Solace in Sound (NI) and will provide a relaxed opportunity to come together and explore how music can support connection, communication, self-expression and wellbeing.
There’ll be familiar songs, singing, listening and simple shared music-making, with opportunities to share music that is meaningful to you. 🎵 No previous musical experience is needed, and everyone can participate as much or as little as they wish.
This is a one-off taster session, with the aim of introducing people to music therapy and helping us understand the level of interest in potentially developing further sessions in the future.
Your support and participation will therefore be really valuable in helping explore what might be possible going forward.
💙 If you or someone you care for or a friend is living with dementia, we’d love you to come along and experience the session together.
👉 Places are available by registration:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/XgUuf0C3Gw
For further information, please contact Nicola Arbuckle, Health & Wellbeing Manager at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). or Cathy Quinn at Solace in Sound (NI) on 07821220164
Please feel free to share this post with anyone who may be interested. 💙🎶
Sharing Music Together — because music can create connection, memories and moments of joy.


Alzheimer's Society Northern Ireland
Dementia NI
Mid Ulster Dementia Support Group
Mid Ulster Health & Wellbeing
Mid Ulster Walking For Wellness
Mid Ulster PCSP
Mid Ulster District Council
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Carers Northern Ireland
The Northern Trust Recovery College
South West College

14/10/2026

Virtual Dementia Training
Virtual Dementia Training is an immersive, evidence-based training, that
uses simulation to help participants better understand the daily experiences
of people living with dementia, including memory loss, confusion and sensory changes.
This training is open to family members, carers and those supporting people
living with dementia. The full experience lasts approx. 15 minutes.
Relevant information and support services will be available & free health checks.
Wednesday 14 October – Killymaddy (near Ballygawley), Killymaddy
Thursday 15 October – Thomas Clarkes GAC, Dungannon Thomas Clarkes
Friday 16 October – CRAIC Theatre, Coalisland CRAIC Theatre
Register for the Dementia Awareness Bus by contacting:
028 375 64487 (leave voice message including name & contact number)
[email protected]

Mid Ulster Health & Wellbeing
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Carers Northern Ireland
Alzheimer's Society Northern Ireland
Cwsan MidUlster
COSTA Community Organisations of South Tyrone & Areas
Mid Ulster District Council

07/10/2026

Last call for our positive ageing music therapy event this wednesday 07 Oct 2026 11:00 AM. Only a fiver and just a few tickets left. Can pay at door

🎶 Music Therapy Workshop
📆 Wednesday 7 October 2026
🕙 11am - 12 noon
📣 This workshop is part of Positive Ageing Month (ages 50+)

Through singing, listening, movement, and shared musical experiences, participants will have the opportunity to connect and support emotional well-being in a warm and welcoming environment. Tickets are only £5. Call 028 8676 9949 or book online at www.burnavon.com/whats-on/music-therapy-with-cathy-quinn/129690268

06/10/2026

Consultation on the Executive’s Draft Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy
This may be one of the most important consultations that you reply to that will impact your children and the generations to come! Don’t leave it to someone else. Have your say before 5pm on Wed 7th October.

The draft strategy, and details of how to respond to the consultation, are available here: https://www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/consultations/northern-irelands-draft-artificial-intelligence-strategy
The AI Strategy Consultation Team has confirmed that an emailed response is a full consultation response. You do not have to complete the online questionnaire as well.
Need help responding to the NI Executive’s Draft AI Strategy??
Save the Moat - Save the Sperrins have created a super easy template to help you.
Just add your name, your area and a few words of your own, then Email it. It takes five minutes. Link in comments below

⏰ Email it to [email protected] with the subject "NI AI Strategy Consultation Response" by Wednesday 7th October 2026 at 5pm.
You can also paste it into the final comments box (Question 15) of the online consultation.
Fill in the parts in square brackets, and please add your own thoughts where shown, as personal responses carry more weight.

Or you can simply set out the issues and concerns that matter to you. You don’t have to answer every consultation question, and you can include evidence, research or other relevant information.

If responding by email, include:
* Your full name
* Your email address
* Whether you are responding as an individual or on behalf of an organisation
* Organisation name, if applicable
* Whether you are happy to be contacted if clarification is required
Please SHARE and spread the word

📢 If you have concerns about the direction of AI development in Northern Ireland, now is the time to put them on the record.

01/10/2026

⚠️ Small steps prevent big falls.

Slips, trips and falls can cause serious injuries — but many are preventable. Good housekeeping, safe walking surfaces and early identification of hazards can make a real difference.

HSENI inspectors are visiting haulage and logistics workplaces to look at the controls that employers have in place to manage risks associated with slips, trips and falls.

Get the safety checklists here ➡ https://www.hseni.gov.uk/articles/slips-trips-and-falls-transport-and-logistics-sector

01/10/2026

🚨 SCAM ALERT: Fake Winter Fuel Payment texts are circulating.

These messages may ask you to click a link, confirm details, or act urgently.

Don't respond, click links, or share personal information.

You can forward suspicious texts to 7726 and check them using Ask Silver.

🔗 friendsagainstscams.org.uk/ask-silver

01/10/2026

🌟𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐇 𝐈𝐒 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄!🌟
October is Positive Ageing Month – and this year we’re asking “What’s on your doorstep?”
Throughout the month, Mid Ulster District Council is celebrating the people, places, services and activities in our local communities that help us stay active, connected and involved as we grow older.

There’s lots happening across Mid Ulster, with opportunities to:
🎨 Get creative
🚶 Get active
☕ Meet others and enjoy a chat and a cuppa
💡 Learn something new
❤️ Enjoy time together
💷 Access practical information and support

From autumn wreath making and painting workshops to fitness activities, library drop-ins, talks, financial wellbeing sessions and our popular Tea and Treats events, there’s something for everyone.

And what better day to get started than International Day of Older Persons today, 1 October! ❤️

Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Deirdre Varsani, is encouraging older residents across the district to get involved and discover what’s happening right on their doorstep.

👉 Take a look at the full programme and find something that interests you:
www.midulstercouncil.org/positiveageingmonth

Also, take a look at Mid Ulster Agewell page - A local Partnership operating in the Mid Ulster area aimed at improving services for older people, who will have many activities and events happening throughout October.

Let’s make October a month to connect, discover, create and enjoy!
Mid Ulster Agewell

🌟𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐇 𝐈𝐒 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄!🌟
October is Positive Ageing Month – and this year we’re asking “What’s on your doorstep?”
Throughout the month, Mid Ulster District Council is celebrating the people, places, services and activities in our local communities that help us stay active, connected and involved as we grow older.

There’s lots happening across Mid Ulster, with opportunities to:
🎨 Get creative
🚶 Get active
☕ Meet others and enjoy a chat and a cuppa
💡 Learn something new
❤️ Enjoy time together
💷 Access practical information and support

From autumn wreath making and painting workshops to fitness activities, library drop-ins, talks, financial wellbeing sessions and our popular Tea and Treats events, there’s something for everyone.

And what better day to get started than International Day of Older Persons today, 1 October! ❤️

Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Deirdre Varsani, is encouraging older residents across the district to get involved and discover what’s happening right on their doorstep.

👉 Take a look at the full programme and find something that interests you:
www.midulstercouncil.org/positiveageingmonth

Also, take a look at Mid Ulster Agewell page - A local Partnership operating in the Mid Ulster area aimed at improving services for older people, who will have many activities and events happening throughout October.

Let’s make October a month to connect, discover, create and enjoy!
Mid Ulster Agewell
Public Health Agency

01/10/2026

Mid Ulster Agewell has a Handyman who is available to carry out small repairs or household tasks within your home, your neighbours or your extended family, if the person living there is vulnerable or 65 years old or older, within Mid Ulster District Council.
He is accessni checked.

Do you (or they) need someone to:
• Fit curtain poles or blinds
• Replace light bulb(s)
• Accessing your attic or attic clear out eg for insulation to be fitted
• Moving furniture eg enable installation of a hospital bed or redecoration
• Putting up a shelf, fitting house / Lane numbers
• Replacing outside lighting eg to a sensor light
• Clearing pathways to prevent slips and falls.
There will be a subsidised charge of £20 which includes the first hour free.
Any additional hours will be £20/ hour up to a maximum of 3 hours. This will be reinvested back into Agewell Services for older people

For more information or to book a suitable time slot, please contact Marie Tel. 028 7963 2170 or Email: [email protected] or complete referral form online. Link in comments