|
|
Downpatrick Day out funded by Friends of Mullan Mews (FOMM)
The Tenants from Mullan Mews fancied a ‘wee day out’ so FOMM took the opportunity and asked tenants where they wanted to go and what they wanted to do.
Downpatrick held childhood memories for some and everyone agreed that this would be a good choice as long as we could take the scenic route to Newcastle! Not too far but far enough to feel like a holiday. So on the 28 July 2009 we set off for a fun filled day in Downpatrick and beyond!
At the St Patrick Centre we watched a short history about St Patrick which developed into a sing-along for some tenants followed by everyone perusing the ‘over-priced nick knack shop’ as they referred to it.
From there we split into two groups. The ladies wanted to shop and - surprise, surprise - the men wanted to take in the exhibition.
After the exhibition the gentlemen wanted to visit the Cathedral and thought that, women being women, the ladies would still be in the first shop! So the bus was called to chauffeur the men to the Cathedral at top of the hill.
At this point the events surrounding Jack Gregory going into the Cathedral have to be recounted! Jack was off the bus and into the Cathedral as fast as greyhound. He went straight to one of the pews and looked all around the seating area. When I eventually caught up with him and asked what he was looking for, he told me that when he was a boy he had spent several weeks carving his name into the pew alongside his pal’s name. Under his breath, almost as if he were telling fibs, he mentioned that his father’s name should be there too!
Jack was adamant that this was the right place as the large pillar had hidden him from the view of the Minister. So, joined by Harold Higgins, we took great interest in searching for the names although, sadly, they must have buffed out in the intervening years by the caretaker.
Rejoined by the ladies we travelled to Curran’s Seafood Restaurant where we had lunch and a good sing song led by Hazel Meneely, Rita Johnston, Jackie Jamison and Julia Orchin.
The weather took a turn for the worse and while most tenants wanted to carry on with the day trip, others were happy to have a ‘wee doze’ after their big meal. The driver took us along the country roads to Newcastle for a short stop where some of tenants stretched their legs and inhaled the sea air.
A perfect but rather chilly end to a fun packed day.
 |
 |
Ana,and Alison at Newcastle |
Berni inside Downpatrick Cathedral |
 |
 |
Desi braving the weather at Newcastle |
Dinner at Curran's Restaurant |
 |
 |
Jack and Harold inside Downpatrick Cathedral |
On the Bus |
Summer Tea Dance 20 August 2009 (funded by the Department of Social Development, The Black Box, NVTV and FOMM)
The ‘Summer Tea Dance’ was held at the Black Box in Hill Street, Belfast - not the usual venue that our tenants and guests would frequent! Following the event one guest mentioned that they had gained a bit of ‘street cred’ with the grandkids. None the less, the staff at The Black Box were more than accommodating of all our requests and the venue itself created a great party atmosphere.
Guests included many people who have been in partnership with and involved in the lives of the tenants from Mullan Mews over the years. These included
-
Laurence, Engage with Age
-
Beryl, Chair of the East Belfast Senior Forum
-
Jim, Secretary of the East Belfast Senior Forum
-
Beverly, Senior Coordinator at Elmgrove Sheltered Accommodation
-
Catherine, Activities Support Worker at Sydenham Court Supported Housing
-
various Clanmil Scheme Coordinators too numerous to mention
-
and finally, of course, the older people from all over East Belfast who we have enjoyed great times with over the years with a special mention for the older, isolated people.
Everyone was invited along to have lunch and good chat before the band began.
The special guest entertainers were Kelstar, a local family duo consisting of father. daughter - and unborn grandchild! They were a HUGE hit – providing music, dance and cabaret as well as having a bit of ‘craic’ with the audience. Tenants and guests enjoyed them immensely, evidenced by lots of dancing and laughter. Requests were performed even in the absence of a ‘back handed fiver’! Thanks to Margaret and her father who managed to keep pace with the revellers.
NVTV, Belfast’s local television company, recorded some of the guests’ memories and stories from their own lives about Tea Dances. All interviewees enjoyed their involvement and experience in front of the camera and the crowd were all too willing to get their ‘face on the box’ by performing a Belfast version of the Mexican Wave! A special thanks to the interviewer and cameraman who made the speakers feel at ease by welcoming and encouraging all they had to say.
Mullan Mews were presented with a preview copy following which the recording aired on the NVTV channel on 5 October 2009. The tenants at Mullan Mews all had their own private viewings and more surprisingly for them, were put onto the big screen for at least 70 members of the East Belfast Senior Forum to see.
All the tenants were very proud to have hosted the afternoon and experienced great pleasure and well-being from entertaining all the guests while at the same time thoroughly enjoying having a ‘knees up’ themselves!
Copies can be obtained on request from NVTV from their website accessed via:
Watch full video at:
A special thanks to all the Clanmil and Belfast Trust staff for their huge effort and contribution in making this event run as smoothly and enjoyably as possible.
Isobel and Sarah first onto the floor |
Paul and Jack enjoying a drink |
|
|
 |
|
Lagan Boat Trip
(funded by DSD)
Afternoon tea out on the water, lovely. This was a great way to spend an afternoon and was open to all tenants especially those who would be less mobile could also enjoy this activity with little ease.
Travelling up the Lagan towards Cutters Wharf, tenants enjoyed their sandwiches as they listened to the guide. Tenants were very interested in the history of the land around the river and pointed out the wildlife and fauna as we passed. I also heard Berni Meenehan shout ‘Dunne’s Stores, I used to go there all the time’ from there she could then direct us to the Ormeau bridge, Ormeau Road and Botanic gardens.
Travelling back down the Lagan we all enjoyed listening to music., another excuse for a sing song.
Silver Surfers
The 'Silver Surfers" event is to give older people a chance to get to know the Internet, to enjoy the ease and excitement that beening online brings. BT funded the computer and Internet connection here at 14 Willowfield Ave.
Jack and George, 'Silver Surfers' |
Grey Matters Day
On Friday 21st July 2006, tenants from Clanmil Housing’s Supported Housing scheme for people with dementia at Mullan Mews in Belfast, joined thousands of sheltered housing and supported housing tenants across the UK to mark ‘Grey Matters Day’.
Colette Moore, Northern Ireland Chair of EROSH said that “dementia currently affects over 750,000 people in the UK, affecting one person in 20 aged over 65 years and one person in five aged over 80.” She added “keeping an active brain in later life is as essential as keeping mobile, eating healthily and exercising, as recommended by the Mental Health Foundation, which says that people should help to keep their minds active in later life. The purpose of Grey Matters Day is to “celebrate the wisdom, knowledge and contribution that older people have made and continue to make in the community.”
Mullan Mews is a bespoke supported housing scheme built in partnership with the South and East Belfast Trust and been designed specifically for people with dementia. It consists of five houses and each of the houses prepared strawberries and cream for the party. They enjoyed a beetle drive complete with prizes and everyone took part with great enthusiasm during the karaoke sessions, and reminisced about music and time gone by.
Sinead Hyndman, Housing Support Worker at Mullan Mews said that “the day had been a great success and had been targeted at thousands of sheltered and supported housing schemes across the UK so that older people can engage in activities which are extremely important and does much to ensure that it keeps their grey cells healthy and active.“
|
|
