Group organises drive-in Christmas party for older folk

Older folk at a progressive local community group are taking up Zoom training in their local car park to keep in touch during the pandemic.
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Richmount Rural Community Association is to use a £10k grant to get more older people on the internet and aim to alleviate loneliness and social isolation.

Chairman Joe Garvey said: “We have also applied for funding for 20 computer tablets to allow people in their cars to take part in Zoom in the association’s car park.

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“Training was planned by the Council but had to be postponed due to restrictions,” said Joe adding that they are upgrading their Wi-Fi so there is better coverage in the car park.

A makeshift stage created from an old van will be used to bring  joy to member of Richmount Rural Community Association during their Drive In Christmas Party.A makeshift stage created from an old van will be used to bring  joy to member of Richmount Rural Community Association during their Drive In Christmas Party.
A makeshift stage created from an old van will be used to bring joy to member of Richmount Rural Community Association during their Drive In Christmas Party.

“We would also plan that at certain times the car park will be open and that people can come in their cars and avail of free internet. However, it will be limited to those who have been given passwords.

“We will have a Zoom Coordinator to help people get connected and in the new year we will be holding “virtual parties” on Thursdays. Members will be able to do this at home or come to our car park. We can deliver a lunch to their home or have it in the car park and everyone can have lunch together and have a good chat with some banter. Well ‘virtually’.”

“We have video equipment to link all the rooms in the community centre to each other, including the playgroup building . This would allow us to maintain social distancing within the buildings.”

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The older folk at Richmount know how to have fun and Joe revealed they have organised a Drive-In Christmas Party.

Seniors Zoom meeting.Seniors Zoom meeting.
Seniors Zoom meeting.

Joe said: “We will be having our first “Drive–In “ Christmas party with great food and entertainment. We now have our own mobile covered stage, which we hope will have many uses in the years ahead, but in the meantime it allows us to have live entertainment and comply with the Covid restrictions.”

They also aim to publish 10 community magazines over the next 12 months as well as full sized traditional cooked meals. “These will be delivered by our volunteers to older people in the area. This would at least be a regular form of safe contact.”

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After months of terrorising staff, an NI council is to hire security firm for community centre Read full story here-

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