Man Matters attended a Winter Planning Event for Older People in the Donegall Pass Community Centre this week.  The event is the first in a series of winter planning events taking place in Belfast.  The events are being organised by the community, voluntary and local Government sector and are aimed at older people including those who are vulnerable and isolated.

The events provide a range of information to help older people prepare for winter.  Those who attended were able to get their electric blankets checked, to get their blood pressure and cholesterol checked and even to get free carbon monoxide alarms.  It also gave older people the chance to talk to a range of organisations about the services they can offer to them including help with their benefits, help with adaptations to their homes, personal safety, healthy living and learning opportunities.

Man Matters used the opportunity to talk to local men and women about the free courses that the project can provide for men in their area and to encourage them to take part.  The project is keen to engage men in certain key areas of life where there is often an under representation of men including learning, family relationships, health and community/volunteering.

The Man Matters project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund to provide free courses, workshops, seminars and support for men’s work.  If you are a man interested in getting or organising some training or you are involved with a men’s group please contact either Dawn or Gary at the Man Matters project on who will be able to arrange training to suit your needs.

The Man Matters team were also able to provide information on the WEA’s Learning Age Project and the Digital Age Project.  The Learning Age Project is funded by Atlantic Philanthropies to run a programme of courses tailored to the needs and interests of older people. Further information on this project is available from Carolyn Hale on or via e-mail at .  The Digital Age Project is funded by the Big Lottery to bring a digital learning programme to isolated older people living in sheltered accommodation.  Further information on this programme is available from Healy King on or via e-mail at .

Further Winter Planning Events will take place from September to November and will be attended by staff from the WEA as follows:

·         Inverary Community Centre on 26^th September 2012 from 10 - 12:30

·         Andersonstown Leisure Centre on 18^th October 2012 from 11 – 2

·         Ballysillan Leisure Centre on 8^th November 2012 from 11 - 2