Age Awareness Week events tackle stereotypes of older people in Northern Ireland

Some unconventional steps were taken to tackle perceptions of older people during Northern Ireland’s fourth Age Awareness Week (28 September-3 October).

The Week began with a very special screening of the cult film about life and love in older age. ‘Harold and Maude’ screened at a specially created ‘drive in’ cinema in partnership with Jameson Belfast Film Festival. Other highlights of the Week included political debates, an Age Awareness Day of film screenings at Queen’s Film Theatre, art and photo exhibitions, ‘Spring Chickens’ -drama performances written and performed by older people and a major international conference as well as a wide range of community and consultation meetings.

The programme of events was supported by an advertising and promotional campaign designed to directly tackle stereotypes of older people and to encourage their positive representation in our society.

Age Awareness Week hit the headlines with news that specially commissioned research revealed that 88 per cent of people in Northern Ireland feel more needs to be done to enhance the positive representation of older people in our society and 68 per cent of people aged over 60 agree that society does not take their views and opinions into consideration.

Age Awareness Week is organised by Atlantic grantee Changing Ageing Partnership which aims to improve the quality of life of older people in Northern Ireland.

Other media articles about this event:

• Why our older citizens really are in the driving seat now – Opinion, Belfast Telegraph


• Older people urged to fight for their interests – Local & National News, Belfast Telegraph


• Is anyone really listening to our senior citizens? – Local & National News, Belfast Telegraph


• Driving message home on elderly – Local & National News, Belfast Telegraph

Photos:
Top: Lelia Jackson (Spring Chickens) launches the Age Awareness Week guide and website
Bottom: Junior Minister Kelly attends Drive in Movie