Active Age Group has made a ‘huge’ impact

THE Active Age group in the Park Community Centre, Ballycullen, celebrated its 10th anniversary with a party in the centre last Wednesday, April 24.

Around 30 people attended to celebrate the longevity of the group, which was established in 2014 by Denise McGann from the community centre.

She founded the group shortly after she founded a baby-and-toddler group, and identified a need for a group to cater to older people in the area.

A total of 10 people attended the first weekly meeting of the Active Age group, including Claire Power and Joan O’Reilly, who have been members from the start of and throughout the group’s ten years.

The group is now full to capacity, with about 35 people on its books, who regularly engage in activities at the group’s weekly meet-up including table tennis, indoor boules and knitting.

“The impact the group has had is huge,” Denise told The Echo. “A lot of the people in it would’ve lost their husbands.

“One woman in particular said joining was the best thing she ever did, because before she just sat at home mourning her husband, but now she has made great friends and they go on trips together.

“They’ve all made great friends and it’s a really lovely group, they’re all very friendly and they make sure everyone’s included.”

At the party last week, Denise displayed photos of the group at various outings through the years, and six candles were lit in memory of six members who had passed away.

The group also celebrated its longevity over the years and its continued success as a vital social outlet for older people in the area.

When asked what her ambitions are for the future of the Active Age group, Denise said: “At this stage, this is it – here’s to the next ten years!

“We’re going to keep going on and keep going strong. There’s no sign of it stopping, they just love the group so much, and I love it myself.”