Older People To Enjoy Spanish Exchange

A Spanish delegation is visiting Belfast later this month to check out volunteer opportunities for older people.

It is part of a unique exchange programme between Belfast and Madrid and will offer older people a chance to spend between three and eight weeks doing voluntary work in each city.

Six people each from Belfast and Madrid will take part when the project gets underway. The visit next Thursday and Friday is a chance for the Spanish organisers to see what's on offer.

Councillor Bernie Kelly, a member of the Council's all party 'Reference Group on Older People', said: "During next week's visit we will be meeting volunteer organisations and deciding how we can best work together to make each opportunity an exciting and worthwhile experience for the older people taking part."

The exchange is still at the planning stage but the Council is interested in hearing from those who think they may be able to offer support to make the exchange more successful.

"One Spanish gentleman, who lives in Belfast, has already been in touch to offer help for our visitors so I think there will be a lot of interest in making it work," added Councillor Kelly.

"We ourselves are learning from the exchange by looking at how the municipality in Madrid organise volunteer opportunities for its civic events for example.

"We have been very impressed by the range of volunteer activities going on in Madrid, particularly the fact that they can call on so many people when organising major events in the city.

"The older people we spoke to there had a great sense of civic pride and appreciated that they were contributing to their community whether they were working with children, visiting hospitals or helping others with language skills," she said.

The exchange is funded by the European Union, and Councillor Diane Dodds, who chairs the Older Peoples Reference Group and is an MEP, said she is delighted that Belfast and Madrid are co-operating on the project.

"One of the aims of the Council's Older Persons Working Group is to improve the lives of older people in Belfast by providing services tailored to their needs.

"This project is leading the way for more positive action and more involvement from our older people and is recognition of how much they have to give to society.

"It is proof that one is never too old to try new experiences and get involved in working for your community."

(BMcC/GK)