From all of us at Age NI, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you to everyone who has supported us this year 💚 Please note that our office is closed from the end of today, Wednesday 24 December, until Friday 2 January. You can find information and advice on our website: www.ageni.org

Did you know that two thirds of older people in Northern Ireland often feel invisible or overlooked ❓ No one should have no one, especially at Christmas. At Age NI, we're turning isolation and loneliness into comfort and connection for older people.

Looking to give back with your holiday plans this year? Organise a bake sale at work, Christmas jumper night out with friends, or holiday themed quiz night with family and support older people across Northern Ireland who might be feeling lonely or forgotten this Christmas season 🎄

Today is #FuelPovertyAwarenessDay. 39% of adults in Northern Ireland told a LucidTalk poll that they are spending more than 10% of their total household expenditure on energy costs, and many grandparents report rationing their energy and only putting their heating on when their grandchildren visit.

Age NI and Power NI are joining together to raise awareness of scams and help older people stay safe online.

Dorothy, who attends our Anna House Day Centre, shared her secrets to reaching 100 years old with BBC News NI! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #PositiveAgeingMonth

Now hiring: Connect North Link Worker in Antrim and Newtownabbey! Join this fantastic team, learn more and apply: www.ageni.org/workforus #PositiveAgeingMonth #Hiring #JobFairy

Steven Millar, writer and director of The Arcadia, visited Age NI's Anna House Day Centre to meet our service users and highlight the importance of talking about dementia. Catch The Arcadia at the Lyric Belfast 8-10 Oct: lyrictheatre.co.uk/whats-on/the... And learn more about Age NI: www.ageni.org

We're thrilled to kick off Positive Ageing Month by celebrating Gladys's 100th birthday in our Ballyclare Day Centre! It is also the 35th United Nations’ International Day of Older Persons, and today and every day we are proud to be working across Northern Ireland to change the way we age.

Positive Ageing Month starts tomorrow, and we can't wait to celebrate the importance of social connection, active living, and the part older people play within our local communities 💜

Are you entitled to more? Call Age NI on 0808 808 7575 or visit our website at ageni.org/benefits to check what you could be claiming.

Reminder that BT are holding a drop-in session tomorrow, 17 September, between 11am and 1pm at Ballyclare Town Hall. Come along to learn more about the Ballyclare Exchange closure and Digital Voice switchover.

Are you entitled to more? Research shows that areas across NI, particularly in Fermanagh and Omagh, have a low uptake of Pension Credit and other benefits. Claiming Pension Credit may also mean you are entitled to receive other benefits.

Make twice the difference for older people this month. Set up a recurring gift through the Big Give and your donation will be doubled for three months! Turn £10 into £20 and help us support more older people across Northern Ireland. Learn more and get started here: ageni.org/double

With the autumn comes increased risks and hazards for some older people, and our personal alarms partner Taking Care have shared some autumn safety tips that might be useful: taking.care/blogs/resour... 🍂

A will is good, but good will is great. Leave a world less lonely when you remember Age NI in your legacy planning this #WilltoGiveWeek. Help us make sure that we'll always be there for older people in need across Northern Ireland. Learn more and get your free will guide here: www.ageni.org/wills

Age NI has launched a new campaign “Are you entitled to more?”, supported by Fermanagh & Omagh District Council and SWAP. “The Fermanagh & Omagh area has been identified as having a low uptake of Pension Credit and other benefits and we are concerned that many older people here are missing out."

Our free advice line identified over £1.4 million in unclaimed benefits last year. "Thanks to Age NI I am now receiving Attendance Allowance which means I can continue to live on my own instead of having to seek a care home. I will be forever grateful for the support I received from adviser Brenda."

Age NI is hiring! We are looking to fill three Connect North Link Worker roles: ➡Causeway Coast & Glens council area ➡Mid & East Antrim council area ➡Antrim & Newtownabbey council area Learn more and apply here: www.ageni.org/workforus

When Age NI paired Sheila with a volunteer close to her age, she found something she hadn’t felt in years: genuine connection. Help us continue to provide this lifeline - set up a monthly gift to Age NI between 1-28 September and your donation will be doubled for three months: www.ageni.org/double

Did you catch our Head of Advice Brenda Kearns on UTV Northern Ireland last night ➡️ www.itv.com/news/utv/202... If you or a loved one has questions about top up fees for nursing or residential care, call our advice line 0808 808 7575 or visit our website www.ageni.org/advice

BT are hosting an information session about the Ballyclare Exchange closure on 17 September at Ballyclare Town Hall. Learn more, and please share with older family members, friends, and neighbours who may affected by the exchange closure: www.bt.com/digitalvoice

Do you own a nursing or residential home? Have you checked if you’re eligible for Residential Homes Rate Relief? If eligible, you may have no rate bill to pay. Check for more info and apply here: www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/residential-homes-rate-relief

Save £40, plus prices locked until 2027 – hurry, offer must end 1st September! Remain independent with an Age NI Personal Alarm and get help in any emergency at the press of a button. Independence when it's wanted, help when it's needed. Find out more 👉 bit.ly/449sfDz * Terms and Conditions apply.

It was a fantastic turnout for the 2025 innocent Big Knit, we received 38,448 hats which raises over £11,500 to support older people across Northern Ireland! Huge thanks to everyone who sent in their crafted creations, including some amazing community groups.

The My Hospital Journey survey closes tomorrow! We want to hear from anyone aged 65 and over who has had an unplanned stay in hospital in the past 12 months. Learn more and share your experience: www.ageni.org/myhospitaljourney

Final chance to have your say! Share your hospital experience before the survey closes on 31 July: www.ageni.org/myhospitaljourney

From all of us at Age NI, we would like to wish everyone a very happy Belfast Pride Week! We are always here for friendship and support. Check out all the fantastic events leading up to the parade on Saturday: belfastpride.com

Age NI will be closed on Monday 14 July and Tuesday 15 July, reopening normal hours on Wednesday 16 July. If you require information or advice, please visit our website: www.ageni.org

Make a difference with a weekly friendship call to an older person in your community 💙 Learn more and sign up: www.ageni.org/checkinandchat

With another heatwave coming this weekend, here are our tips for warmer weather! And please make sure to check in on older friends, relatives, and neighbours 😎 @barrabest.bsky.social

Do you have a free hour each week for a chat? Become a Check in and Chat volunteer like Shay, and make a difference for an older person in your community struggling with loneliness and isolation. Learn more and sign up: www.ageni.org/checkinandchat

Join team Age NI! We are now hiring for two Connect North Link Workers, based at Ballyclare Town Hall and West Bann Community Centre. Learn more and apply here: www.ageni.org/workforus

Huge thanks to @kelmba.bsky.social for encouraging participation in Age NI's #MyHospitalJourney survey. Learn more and have your say here: www.ageni.org/myhospitaljourney

We want older people's lived experience to help shape better hospital services. Have your say in our My Hospital Journey survey: www.ageni.org/myhospitaljourney

This week is #SharedLivesWeek and we're delighted to be highlighting this amazing service. Social worker Laura told us what difference she has seen in her clients who take part in Shared Lives: "I have watched Shared Lives completely transform my clients, who are now experiencing meaningful..."

Bernie knows the difference First Connect and Age NI can make, from being supported by the Friendship Group to now being a peer supporter herself. Help us bring this connection and friendship to more older people across Northern Ireland: www.ageni.org/summer25

Thanks to everyone who signed the petition to encourage the UK Government to restore the #WinterFuelPayment. Everyone over the State Pension Age in Northern Ireland will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this year. Pensioners with income of £35,000 or above will have their payment recovered by HMRC.

Through First Connect, Age NI is changing lives every day for people like Bernie. Last year, 98% of older people supported by the service said they felt less lonely and 97% said they felt less isolated. Donate now to help us make a difference, one connection at a time: www.ageni.org/summer25

We've brought together our information and advice for older LGBT+ people, helping you understand your rights and make sure they’re always respected 👉 bit.ly/4kIap0p #Pride

⚠️ #Scam alert ⚠️ After the news that the #WinterFuelPayment will be restored for millions of older people, scammers are taking advantage by contacting older people to pretend to set up their Winter Fuel Payment - and stealing their banking details. Read more about the scam: bit.ly/45hO7xN

Huge thanks to @cop-ni.bsky.social‬ for supporting us to encourage older people aged 65+ to get involved to share their hospital experiences in the new My Hospital Journey research study. The survey is open now and will close on 31 July 2025. Learn more: www.ageni.org/myhospitaljourney

The @niassembly.gov.uk‬ Health Committee is encouraging older people to get involved to share their hospital experiences in a new piece of research from Age NI.

Elaine and her husband attend Age NI's First Connect Friendship Group, a welcoming space for companionship and a much-needed break from everyday challenges. This #CarersWeek , help us continue to support older carers - because no one should face tough times alone: www.ageni.org/summer25

Age NI is proud to be supporting #carersweek ! This year’s theme is ‘caring about equality,’ and our policy team was delighted to join other organisations at Stormont today.

Have you or a loved one had an unplanned stay in hospital in the past 12 months? We want to hear from people aged 65+ about care received in hospital. Complete our anonymous survey, or sign up to be interviewed: www.ageni.org/myhospitaljourney @cop-ni.bsky.social @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social‬

Age NI's policy and engagement team met with the Lived Experience Group at Mid & East Antrim Agewell to discuss the public consutlation on @clairesugden.bsky.social 's age discrimination bill & our own research on hospital journeys - 2 great opportunities for older people to have their voices heard!

💸More money in your pocket can help you learn more about what benefits you might be entitled to, and how to claim them. Read here: www.ageni.org/moremoney