WESTMEATH – Residents aged 55 and older throughout Whitewater Region have the opportunity to be busy this year.
A $19,560 grant has been received by the Riverview Seniors Social Club in Westmeath from the Federal Government’s New Horizons for Seniors Program of the Department of Employment and Social Services.
The club’s President Doreen McNair, club Treasurer Paul Stewart and club member Sheila O’Brien worked on the successful application; with the able assistance of Neil Nicholson from the Westmeath and District Recreation Association.
Work is now underway to develop a full roster of new community-based workshops; panel-discussions with speakers from many disciplines; and class instruction in the areas of arts, crafts, fitness and well-being. These activities will be free for anyone 55 and older live in the municipality.
The Summer 2016 roster of activities will start in June with a full promotional campaign kick-off.The rest of the more than 25 new initiatives will be rolled out for Fall 2016 and Winter 2017.
The government grant’s aim is to enhance the social participation and inclusion of seniors in our rural community, by encouraging senior volunteerism, and by introducing the older participants to new activities, said Ms. McNair. This incubating of new interests is an important element in assisting the senior population to live their retirement to its fullest, she added.
