Springfield Charitable Association Tri-age West Belfast launch

2 May 2012     Last updated: 20 Jun 2014

Springfield Charitable Association launched its Tri-Age west Belfast project on Friday 20 April 2012 in the Farset International. 

This new project is aimed at tackling disadvantage in older people, particularly those who are isolated and considered hard to reach or those who have been diagnosed or who are deemed to be at higher risk of developing dementia and other associated illnesses. The Tri-Age project will work towards removing barriers and will actively promote participation and engagement in community life.

The launch of the Tri-Age Project and recent reports from the Alzheimer’s Society emphasise the fact that dementia is one of the worst causes of disability in later life and has a devastating impact on independent living. While deaths due to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia have increased by over 40% over the past decade, research has shown that intervention programmes to enhance the physical, social and emotional inclusion of people at risk and working towards delaying the onset of dementia by five years would reduce the number of dementia related deaths in Northern Ireland by up to half. 

Speaking at the launch Róisín Bradley, Tri - Age Coordinator, said “So much more needs to be done to promote the message that a healthy lifestyle, keeping active and stimulated can delay or prevent the onset of certain types of dementia, as well as many other long-term conditions. Access to the right services and support, as well as programmes that enhance the physical, social and emotional inclusion of people at risk are so important and could reduce the number of dementia related deaths and the number of isolated older people.

The Tri-Age Programme will do just this. Physical and leisure programmes based around diet, exercise and stimulation believed to have positive impact on ageing, dementia and other mental health issues and developed to promote inclusion and reduce isolation will be rolled out over the lifetime of the project. These include activities like swimming and gardening clubs, alternative therapies and exercise groups and a multi-sensory community garden. We’ve already developed a few different social and activity programmes with various groups which have been up and running for a while, and are going really well”.

The Tri-Age Project will develop a community support programme to promote independent living. The overall aim of the project is to enhance the quality of life, health and wellbeing of older people who live in west Belfast through the development of programmes based around diet, exercise and stimulation and by providing in-centre and outreach advice services around benefits, home safety and heating, falls and accident prevention. 

If you want to find out more, please phone SCA directly on 028 9024 8509 or email Róisín at [email protected]

Share your COVID-19 support service

Organisations providing support to people and communities can share their service information here

> Share your support

Not a NICVA member yet?

Save time, money and energy. Join NICVA and you’ll be connecting in to a strong network of local organisations focused on voluntary and community activity.

Join Us

NICVA now welcomes all small groups for free.