Ramsey Town Hall has hosted a successful Northern community information day.
The event was the second in what is proposed to be a regular series organised by the Northern Networking Group. Formed in June 2013 the group aims to inform local residents about what support, practical and financial, is available to those living in the north and is made up of community health and social care agencies and representation from the Department of Social Care, the voluntary and private sectors and Ramsey Town Commissioners.
Much of the town hall including the foyer and board room was given over to the day-long event which provided opportunities for visitors to meet with representatives from a wide range of agencies including Age Isle of Man, the Stroke Association, the Macular Society and the mobile Family Library, also health professionals from Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital and the occupational therapy service and members of the OIder Persons community social work team.
New for 2014 was a raffle, sponsored prizes for which helped raise ?300 for the Northern Live at Home Scheme whose members served refreshments and homemade cakes throughout the day.
Community social worker Maria Clinton summed up the purpose of the event when she said: ‘Our aim is to work together aiding prevention of risk factors, therefore enabling older people to remain at home for longer and lead safer, happier and independent lives.’
Ramsey Town Commissioners’ chairman Captain Nigel Malpass said: ‘Ramsey has an enduring sense community that extends to all generations and abilities. Ramsey town hall is at the heart of that community. The Commissioners were therefore pleased to put the building at the disposal of the many agencies dedicated to helping people lead independent lives for longer. The event also provided a valuable opportunity for health professionals from a broad range of disciplines to meet and share knowledge and experience. This can only but lead to long-term benefits for the communities they serve.’
Ramsey town hall is home to the town’s public library and hosts Age Isle of Man computer training, twice-weekly chair-based exercise classes and Hospice Isle of Man Wednesday drop-in sessions. Additionally the Commission operates the civil registry service for Ramsey and the north.
For more information on the Northern Networking Group call Maria Clinton 686432.
Photo - A chair-based activity session in Ramsey Town Hall. Picture Andrew Barton.
