Homes for people to live well at any age
Clanmil’s Older People Strategy sets out the roadmap for providing homes and services for an ageing population.
As one of Northern Ireland’s largest housing associations, Clanmil provides homes for people to live well at all ages and stages of life, including a range of accommodation options for over 2,800 older people with varying levels of independence and support needs.
We are living in an ageing population, with one in six people in Northern Ireland now aged 65 or over. That figure is predicted to increase substantially in the next 25 years, and we need to be ready to meet the challenges that lie ahead.
As well as more demand for specialist housing, there will also be more pressure on support services and social and healthcare provision.
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• Clanmil Housing is one of Northern Ireland’s leading housing associations and currently owns and manages over 5,800 homes throughout Northern Ireland including family homes, homes for single people, and homes for older people. • Clanmil provides a range of accommodation and support for 1,800 older people including category 1 apartments for active older people, independent living schemes, housing with care for frail older people and supported housing for older people with dementia. A further 1,000 older people live in general needs accommodation. |
Our focus is to ensure that older people can live independently for as long as possible. In addition, we want them to be comfortable and safe within their communities and most importantly, to feel they are valued, and their voices are heard.
To navigate the challenges ahead, we launched a new three-year Older People Strategy in December 2023. The strategy was co-designed with customers and colleagues, as part of our commitment to focus our efforts on areas that really matter.
With six strategic goals outlining our vision, the strategy describes our commitment to providing high quality homes for older people to live well, now and in the future, and delivering the right services for customers, including through effective partnerships where appropriate. We will also continue to advocate for older people and ensure that their voices are heard as well as supporting them to live fulfilling lives, with dignity and choice.
Commenting on the new strategy, Pól Callaghan, Director of Housing, Customer and Communities at Clanmil says: “People are now living for longer and their expectations are changing. At Clanmil we recognise that our services need to be flexible and adapt.
“Our new strategy will ensure that we are focusing our efforts where they have most impact and that we are providing the types of homes and services people need, so that they get the most from life as they grow older.”
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Fun and friendship across the generations  One of the issues that informed Clanmil’s Older People Strategy is loneliness. It has become a significant challenge, with 30 per cent of people in society over 80 describing themselves as feeling lonely.* To combat this, we work with a range of partners to deliver programmes and activities that increase wellbeing and encourage socialising. One of these partners is Linking Generations, who have been connecting people of all ages in communities across Northern Ireland since 2009. They have provided training sessions for Clanmil colleagues on making links between residents of independent living schemes and schools and nurseries in their communities. In Ballymoney, a group of year 6 pupils at a local primary school have been visiting residents of Cramsie Court, an independent living scheme in the town. Each Friday afternoon, the young people from Ballymoney Model Integrated Primary School visit the scheme to learn how to play traditional board games and crafts like knitting, while chatting over juice and biscuits and getting to know each other. Kathy Murphy, who lives at Cramsie Court, said she really enjoys the weekly visits: “It is very good for the children and for us residents. It is good for us to mix and to show the children our skills, like knitting and playing games. I have been teaching one of the wee girls knitting and she is getting on very well.” * Taylor and Neill and Field |
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Fitness has no age limit for Clanmil care home  Staying active through physical activity is just one of the ways to enjoy a happy, healthy old age. When former boxing champion and coach Joe Harvey recently brought his boxing classes to De La Cour House in Belfast, the residents discovered a new lease of life. The class proved hugely popular with residents, some of whom are over the age of 80 and many living with conditions such as dementia. As well as helping build up strength and fitness with the use of boxing gloves, pads and resistance bands, the class also saw some of the quieter residents become more confident and sociable. The success of the initiative led Clanmil to roll out the classes to two more care homes; Giboney House in Belfast and Marriott House in Magherafelt. Residents at one of Clanmil’s independent living schemes, Cook Court in Newtownards, have also enjoyed classes with Joe. As well as helping to improve their strength and endurance, the classes have encouraged residents to socialise with others, which is important in combatting loneliness and isolation. Staff at the care homes also reported that residents were mentally more alert and their sleeping and eating patterns improved after the classes. |
To find out more about Clanmil, visit www.clanmil.org.uk
