Engage

We are delighted to offer Changing Gears in partnership with Dublin Northwest Partnership, in person this July and August in Finglas, Co. Dublin.
Designed to boost wellbeing and resilience for those aged 50+ years, it is a five-session course which focuses on managing transitions in mid to later life.

What is Changing Gears?
Changing Gears supports people in dealing with transitions or significant life-challenges in mid to later life. It focuses on how we can build resilience, take stock, make changes, and bounce forward in life.

Venue: St .Helenas Family Resource Centre, Finglas, Co. Dublin
Dates: Wednesdays 17, 24, 31 July and 7, 14 August 2024
Times: 10.30 am – 1.00 pm (which includes a comfort break with tea and coffee)

To book a place on this course, please e-mail either of the following:

Pauline.Hazel@dublinnorthwest.ie (or call 086 0416155)

Fiona.Holohan@ageandopportunity.ie (or call 01 913 3922)

Please note that this course has been funded by the HSE and is free of charge.
Participation requires attendance at each of the five sessions (please do not book a place if you cannot attend on these dates).

“We’re not here for a long  time. we’re here for a good time!’.  It’s only as you get older that you realise this…” says Hazel Masterson (course participant, Changing Gears).

We had a lovely chat recently with Hazel who has been a member of Ballygall Women’s group for the past 19 years.  The group was formed at a time when all of the women’s children were young and in playgroup together, and many of the original members are now grandmothers. They continue to welcome new members and meet regularly to enjoy a variety of activities, including holidays, short trips and to participate in facilitated courses.  Most recently the group completed our Changing Gears course which focuses on managing transitions in mid to later life and is designed to boost wellbeing and resilience for those aged 50+ years.

We were delighted to hear that the group thoroughly enjoyed the course and found it very useful!  Hazel, who is 66 years old and currently managing a chronic health condition says:  “… life changes and people change.  You don’t feel the same as when you were 20, you have different opinions, different ideas and life means different things to you – so it’s good to upskill, look at yourself and look at your life…. it’s changing all the time.”

We couldn’t agree more!  We’d like to give a shout out to the whole group who made it such an enjoyable experience for all and to celebrate them for wholeheartedly embracing the tasks they were presented with.

We’re delighted to add that Hazel is going to be very busy in the coming months with another collaboration – herself and members of her writing group are collectively writing a book about Dublin in the old times.  We wish her the best of luck with that and look forward to seeing it published.

This Changing Gears course was funded by the HSE and we run Changing Gears nationwide.  For details about how you can get involved in this or other courses delivered by our Engage team, take a look at our website here:  https://ageandopportunity.ie/engage/

We are delighted to offer Changing Gears in person this April and May in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Designed to boost wellbeing and resilience for those aged 50+ years, it is a five-session course which focuses on managing transitions in mid to later life.

Do you want to discover more about yourself and your capacity to meet different challenges? Take stock of your skills and experiences and plan your next steps in life?

What is Changing Gears?

Changing Gears supports people in dealing with transitions or significant life-challenges in mid to later life. It focuses on how we can build resilience, take stock, make changes, and bounce forward in life.

How does it work?

Changing Gears offers participants time to:

· Develop skills and techniques to build resilience and confidence in managing life-changes or transitions.

· Reframe transitions in their lives as opportunities with positive options, challenging negative stereotypes about ageing.

The course invites participants to reflect on challenges they have experienced in the past and life-lessons they have learned. In this way, strategies for building resilience and managing change draw on personal experience to lay the foundations for a more positive and fulfilling future.

How can I get involved?

This course is delivered in 2 ½ -hour sessions once a week over 5 weeks.

Venue: Tullamore Court Hotel, O’Moore Street, Tullamore, Co. Offaly R35 D406

Dates: Wednesdays 17, 24 April and 1, 8, 15 May 2024

Times: 11.15 am – 1.45 pm (which includes a comfort break with tea and coffee)

To book a place on this course, please e-mail Fiona at: engage@ageandopportunity.ie or call on +353 1 9133922 Please note that this course has been funded by the HSE and is free of charge. Participation requires attendance at each of the five sessions (please do not book a place if you cannot attend on these dates).

Do you want to discover more about yourself and your capacity to meet different challenges? Take stock of your skills and experiences and plan your next steps in life?

We are delighted to offer Changing Gears in person this April and May in Thurles, Co. Tipperary and  Killarney, Co. Kerry. Designed to boost wellbeing and resilience for those aged 50+ years, this course focuses on managing transitions in mid to later life.

What is Changing Gears?

Changing Gears supports people in dealing with transitions or significant life-challenges in mid to later life. It focuses on how we can build resilience, take stock, make changes, and bounce forward in life.

How does it work?

Changing Gears offers participants time to:

· Develop skills and techniques to build resilience and confidence in managing life-changes or transitions.

· Reframe transitions in their lives as opportunities with positive options, challenging negative stereotypes about ageing.

The course invites participants to reflect on challenges they have experienced in the past and life-lessons they have learned. In this way, strategies for building resilience and managing change draw on personal experience to lay the foundations for a more positive and fulfilling future.

Thurles course details:

This course is delivered in 2 ½ hour sessions once a week over 5 weeks.

Venue: Hayes Hotel, Liberty Square, Thurles, Co. Tipperary E41 C9C8

Dates: Thursdays 11, 18, 25 April and 2, 9 May 2024

Times: 11.00 am – 1.30 pm (which includes a comfort break with tea and coffee)

Killarney course details:

This course is delivered in 3-hour sessions once a week over 4 weeks.

Venue: Great Southern Killarney, East Avenue Road, Killarney, Co. Kerry, V93 R866,

Dates: Wednesdays 8, 15, 22 and 29 May 2024

Times: 11.00 am – 2.00 pm (which includes a comfort break with tea and coffee)

To book a place on either course, please e-mail Fiona at: engage@ageandopportunity.ie or call on +353 1 913 3922.

Please note that this course has been funded by the HSE and is free of charge. Participation requires attendance at each of the four sessions (please do not book a place if you cannot attend on these dates).

We are delighted to offer Changing Gears in person this February and March in Dublin.  Designed to boost wellbeing and resilience for those aged 50+ years, it is a five-session course which focuses on managing transitions in mid to later life.

Do you want to discover more about yourself and your capacity to meet different challenges? Take stock of your skills and experiences and plan your next steps in life?

What is Changing Gears?

Changing Gears supports people in dealing with transitions or significant life-challenges in mid to later life. It focuses on how we can build resilience, take stock, make changes, and bounce forward in life.

How does it work?

Changing Gears offers participants time to:

• Develop skills and techniques to build resilience and confidence in managing life-changes or transitions.
• Reframe transitions in their lives as opportunities with positive options, challenging negative stereotypes about ageing.

The course invites participants to reflect on challenges they have experienced in the past and life-lessons they have learned. In this way, strategies for building resilience and managing change draw on personal experience to lay the foundations for a more positive and fulfilling future.

How can I get involved?

This course is delivered in 2.5-hour sessions once a week over 5 weeks.

Venue:               Ashling Hotel, Parkgate Street, Dublin 8, D08 P38N, Ireland
Dates:                Wednesdays 28 February, 6, 13, 20, 27 March 2024
Times:                10.30 am – 1.00 pm (which includes a comfort break with tea and coffee)

To book a place on this course, please e-mail Fiona at: engage@ageandopportunity.ie or call on +353 1 9133922

Please note that this course has been funded by the HSE and is free of charge. Participation requires attendance at each of the five sessions (please do not book a place if you cannot attend on these dates).

We are pleased to offer a new 2-day Creative Exchanges course designed for both activities
coordinators working in residential or day care settings, and artists interested in engaging with older people
in a care setting. Creative Exchanges will provide participants with:

• An understanding of the value of creative activity, particularly in a care setting
• Practical skills to carry out creative activities with people in residential and day care settings
• Experience of taking part in arts based workshops

The course is designed to provide meaningful opportunities to engage older people in arts activities and
adopts a person-centred approach promoted by HIQA’s National Quality Standards for Residential Care
Settings for Older People (2016).

VENUE AND DATES

The Irish Museum of Modern Art, Kilmainham, Dublin 8
Wednesdays: 24th and 31st January 2024. 10:00am – 4:00pm both days.

PRICE

Creative Exchanges costs €350 per participant. As places are limited, fee needs to be paid in advance to
secure a place. For more information, please contact Fiona at fiona.holohan@ageandopportunity.ie

On completion of the programme, a Certificate will be provided by Age & Opportunity.

Download course details and information about our facilitators here:  Creative Exchanges – 2 day course

Age & Opportunity is delighted to offer Changing Gears in person this November at The Model, Sligo. Designed to boost wellbeing and resilience for those aged 50+ years, it is a four session course which focuses on managing transitions in mid to later life.

Do you want to discover more about yourself and your capacity to meet different challenges? Take stock of your skills and experiences and plan your next steps in life?

What is Changing Gears?

Changing Gears supports people in dealing with transitions or significant life-challenges in mid to later life. It focuses on how we can build resilience, take stock, make changes, and bounce forward in life.

How does it work?

Changing Gears offers participants time to:

• Develop skills and techniques to build resilience and confidence in managing life-changes or transitions.
• Reframe transitions in their lives as opportunities with positive options, challenging negative stereotypes about ageing.

The programme invites participants to reflect on challenges they have experienced in the past and life-lessons they have learned. In this way, strategies for building resilience and managing change draw on personal experience to lay the foundations for a more positive and fulfilling future.

“I found Changing Gears very useful. It was very useful to look back at what has served me well and to make a plan, as far as is possible, for the next part of my life.”

Kathleen Jordan, Dublin. Changing Gears participant, online, February 2023

“The course content from beginning to end was very relevant. The different aspects of the course were so gently put. We came away totally satisfied at having participated and we gained so much information on what’s out there for us both nationally and locally.”

Kay Murphy, Ennis, Co Clare. Changing Gears participant, in-person, March 2023

How can I get involved?

This course is delivered in 2.5 hour sessions once a week over 4 weeks.

Venue:               The Model, The Mall, Sligo, F91 TP20

Dates:               Thursdays 9, 16, 23 and 30 November 2023

Times:                11:15 am – 1:45 pm (which includes a comfort break with tea and coffee)

To book a place on this course, please contact Fiona Holohan at engage@ageandopportunity.ie or call (01) 805 7798.

Please note this programme has been funded by the HSE and is free of charge. Participation requires attendance at each of the four sessions (please do not book a place if you cannot attend on these dates).

Age & Opportunity is the national organisation that provides a range of opportunities for older people who want to get more involved in arts and culture, sport and physical activity, civic engagement and personal development. Our aim is to enable the best possible quality of life for us all as we age, where we are more active, more visible, more creative, more connected and more confident.

Changing Gears -Building Resilience and Managing Transitions in Mid to Later Life

Age & Opportunity is delighted to be offering Changing Gears in person this September and October in The Model Arts Centre, Sligo. Designed to boost wellbeing and resilience for those aged 50+ years, it is a four session course which focuses on managing transitions in mid to later life.

Do you want to discover more about yourself and your capacity to meet different challenges? Take stock of your skills and experiences and plan your next steps in life?

What is Changing Gears?

Changing Gears supports people in dealing with transitions or significant life-challenges in mid to later life. It focuses on how we can build resilience, take stock, make changes, and bounce forward in life.

How does it work?

Changing Gears offers participants time to:
• Develop skills and techniques to build resilience and confidence in managing life-changes or transitions.
• Reframe transitions in their lives as opportunities with positive options, challenging negative stereotypes about ageing.

The programme invites participants to reflect on challenges they have experienced in the past and life-lessons they have learned. In this way, strategies for building resilience and managing change draw on personal experience to lay the foundations for a more positive and fulfilling future.

“I found Changing Gears very useful. It was very useful to look back at what has served me well and to make a plan, as far as is possible, for the next part of my life.”
Kathleen Jordan, Dublin. Changing Gears participant, online, February 2023

“The course content from beginning to end was very relevant. The different aspects of the course were so gently put. We came away totally satisfied at having participated and we gained so much information on what’s out there for us both nationally and locally.”
Kay Murphy, Ennis, Co Clare. Changing Gears participant, in-person, March 2023

How can I get involved?

This course is delivered in 2.5 hour sessions once a week over 4 weeks.
Venue: The Model, The Mall, Sligo, F91 TP20
Dates: Tuesdays 19th & 26th September, 3rd & 10th October
Times: 11:15 am – 1:45 pm (which includes a comfort break with tea and coffee)

To book a place on this course, please email Fiona at engage@ageandopportunity.ie or call (01) 805 7798

Please note that this programme has been funded by the HSE and is free of charge. Participation requires attendance at each of the four sessions (please do not book a place if you cannot attend on these dates).

Age & Opportunity is the national organisation that provides a range of opportunities for older people who want to get more involved in arts and culture, sport and physical activity, civic engagement and personal development. Our aim is to enable the best possible quality of life for us all as we age, where we are more active, more visible, more creative, more connected and more confident.

Changing Gears – Building Resilience and Managing Transitions in Mid to Later Life

Age & Opportunity is delighted to be offering Changing Gears in person this September and October in Kilkenny at St. Canice’s Neighbourhood Hall. Designed to boost wellbeing and resilience for those aged 50+ years, it is a five session course which focuses on managing transitions in mid to later life.

Do you want to discover more about yourself and your capacity to meet different challenges?
Take stock of your skills and experiences and plan your next stepsin life?

What is Changing Gears?

Changing Gears supports people in dealing with transitions or significant life-challenges in
mid to later life. It focuses on how we can build resilience, take stock, make changes, and
bounce forward in life.

How does it work?

Changing Gears offers participants time to:

• Develop skills and techniques to build resilience and confidence in managing lifechanges or transitions.
• Reframe transitions in their lives as opportunities with positive options, challenging negative stereotypes about ageing.

The programme invites participants to reflect on challenges they have experienced in the past and life-lessons they have learned. In this way, strategies for building resilience and managing change draw on personal experience to lay the foundations for a more positive and fulfilling future.

“I found Changing Gears very useful. It was very useful to look back at what has served me well and to make a plan, as far as is possible, for the next part of my life.”
Kathleen Jordan, Dublin. Changing Gears participant, online, February 2023

“The course content from beginning to end was very relevant. The different aspects of the course were so gently put. We came away totally satisfied at having participated and we gained so much information on what’s out there for us both nationally and locally.”
Kay Murphy, Ennis, Co Clare. Changing Gears participant, in-person, March 2023

How can I get involved?

This course is delivered in 2.5 hour sessions once a week over 5 weeks.
Venue: St. Canice’s Neighbourhood Hall, Butts Green, Gardens, Kilkenny, R95 VK7X
Dates: Mondays 11th, 18th, 25th Sept and 2nd, 9th October 2023
Times: 10:30 am – 1:00 pm (which includes a comfort break with tea and coffee)

To book a place on this course, please e-mail Isabel at: isabel.loughran@ageandopportunity.ie or call on +353 1805 7765.

Please note that this programme has been funded by the HSE and is free of charge. Participation requires attendance at each of the five sessions (please do not book a place if you cannot attend on these dates).

Age & Opportunity is the national organisation that provides a range of opportunities for older people who want to get more involved in arts and culture, sport and physical activity, civic engagement and personal development. Our aim is to enable the best possible quality of life for us all as we age, where we are more active, more visible, more creative, more connected and more confident.