Choice Housing has successfully launched a new series of Dementia Friendly Tea Dances in Derry-Londonderry, bringing older residents and people living with dementia together for an afternoon of music, dancing, and community connection.
Providing a welcoming and inclusive environment where people can come together, enjoy live entertainment and spend time with friends and members of the local community, the programme is receiving support from Choice through its ‘Housing for All’ scheme, reflecting its long-held commitment to the health and wellbeing of local communities.
Following the success of the kick-off event that took place, community members are invited to attend the remaining upcoming sessions scheduled for Thursday 29th October and Thursday 26th November.
The free afternoon events, hosted in the Studio Theatre in Derry~Londonderry from 2pm until 3.30pm, features live entertainment from professional musician Dougie Breslin. Bookings are now open for the Tea Dances, with booking advisable as places are limited.
The initiative received support from the Department for Communities (DfC), and Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme that has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects its commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united, and shared, society.
Mark Kent, Choice’s Good Relations Officer, said:
“We are delighted to see this initiative continue and the enthusiasm from the first event has been heartwarming. These events are about much more than music and dancing, they provide an opportunity for people to meet others, build connections and enjoy a welcoming afternoon in a supportive environment.
“We hope this event continues to bring people together and make a positive contribution to the health and wellbeing of older people and those living with dementia.”
Choices’ Rosses Gate scheme is a major mixed-tenure shared housing development in Derry~Londonderry, built near the Clooney Road and Gransha Roundabout in partnership with South Bank Square Ltd. It is supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
As part of ‘Housing for All’, Choice works in partnership with local statutory, community and voluntary sectors as well as engaging with a wide range of other local stakeholders and residents to develop the schemes good relations plan. Rosses Gate will see a potential investment of £4.8 million incorporating the development and associated five-year good relations plan.
A key element of the good relations work for shared housing developments is identifying the challenges local communities are facing and using this to develop tailored projects that support these areas.
As one of the largest housing associations in Northern Ireland, Choice currently owns and maintains c.14,000 properties across the region, meeting the diverse needs of c.30,000 tenants and residents.
