Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Health and Recreation Department
POSITIVE AGEING MONTH – OCTOBER 2025
2025 getactiveabc Positive Ageing Month Ambassador Maura McGarry
Positive Ageing Month is an October festival of events and activities that emphasise the positive aspects of ageing and the significant roles older individuals play in our community and families. It’s a great opportunity to get out and about, try new things and meet new people.
This year’s focus is on moving more to live more, emphasising the importance of physical activity for both physical and mental wellbeing. The getactiveabc team is committed to supporting you to keep moving, whatever your age, enriching lives by helping older people maintain independence for as long as possible through healthy lifestyle choices.
Our leisure facilities have organised a series of activity mornings in October to welcome older people to the gym and exercise classes, encouraging at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week. It’s a chance to have a taster of our activity programmes with low impact activity classes, guided walks, relaxation with gentle Tai Chi and getting social with our Over 50’s clubs.
We want our centres to be hives of social activity as well as hubs promoting fitness. See below details of all our ‘Positive Ageing’ activities and events taking place across the borough.
See you there!
Fun Fitness Classes
BAT & CHAT
DANCING IN THE DAYLIGHT
GET OUT GET ACTIVE (GOGA) TAI CHI
WALKING NETBALL
GET OUT GET ACTIVE (GOGA) FIT
OVER 50'S CLUBS
WALKING FOOTBALL
Walking
CARERS WALKING GROUP
MORE INFO
Portadown People’s Park – meet at Clanrye, Mayfair Business Centre
Mon 6, 13, 27 Oct & Sat 18 Oct | 10.30am
Gentle walk around Portadown People’s Park, followed by tea/coffee and treats afterwards until 12pm. All carers welcome. For more information, please contact Nicole, telephone 07870 506 353 or email
Nordic Walking
VERVE CHATTY WALKS
MORE INFO
Gentle walk and chat, everyone welcome.
Lurgan Park – meet at Windsor Avenue Gate
Mon 6, 13, 20, 27 Oct | 10.00am
Portadown – meet at Drummellan Community Centre
Mon 6, 13, 20, 27 Oct | 1.00pm
Oxford Island – meet at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre
Wed 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Oct | 10.00am
Kinnego Marina – meet at Sailing Club
Wed 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Oct | 10.00am | £2pp
South Lake Leisure Centre – meet at Cafe incredABLE
Thurs 2, 19, 16, 23, 30 Oct | 10.00am
Portadown People’s Park – meet at Clanrye, Mayfair Business Centre
Fri 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Oct | 12.00pm
Free unless stated otherwise
Wild Wanderers Walks
MORE INFO
Lurgan Park – meet at Windsor Avenue Gate
Wild Wanders Sunset Walk
Thurs 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Oct | 7.00pm – 8.00pm
Portadown People’s Park – meet at Pavilion Picnic Tables
Wild Wanders Walk
Wed 5 Oct | 10.30am – 12.00pm
FREE
This walks teaches aspects of forest bathing and mindfulness to de-stress and connect with nature on your doorstep. To register, email or telephone 028 3756 3946
Kinnego Marina – meet at Sailing Club
Wild Wanderers Nature Walk
Fri 24 Oct | 10.00am – 12.00pm
Wild Wanderers Nature Walk in partnership with Loughshore Care Partnership Oxford Island. Walk – Connect – Destress. Short mindful walks, suitable for all levels of ability – followed with tea/coffee and chats. For more information or to book call our Community Health Trainer, Hazel on 07787 933 257
Social Events
Boccia Tournaments
MORE INFO
This is a chair based activity that will suit all ability levels. Come along and enjoy learning a new skill and making some new social connections as well. Running for 6 weeks with tea, coffee and biscuits on arrival. No experience of Boccia needed.
Ardmore Recreation Centre
Every Tues 14 Oct – 18 Nov | 10.30am – 12.00pm | FREE
For more information or to book, email or telephone 028 3756 4495
Banbridge Leisure Centre
Every Thurs 16 Oct – 20 Nov | 10.30am – 12.00pm | FREE
For more information or to book, email or or telephone 028 3833 9795
Brownlow Hub
Every Wed 15 Oct – 19 Nov | 10.30am-12noon | FREE
For more information or to book, email or telephone 028 3833 9795
Community Bike Ride
Orienteering
TEA DANCES
Health & Well-being
Chest Heart & Stroke Health Screening
MORE INFO
Banbridge Leisure Centre
Tues 21 Oct | 9.00am – 4.15pm
FREE Blood Pressure & Atrial Fibrillation checks available for people aged 55 and over. Booking is essential. Book online here please enter event code ABC25 when booking or call Banbridge Leisure Centre 028 4062 8800
Eat Well Beat Well Roadshow
MORE INFO
Information Event with Health Checks
SWIMMING
MORE INFO
There is a £1.00 swim fee for adults aged 60-65 years living in the borough.
Adults aged 66 years and over may swim free of charge
Proof of age and residency must be shown to the receptionist in the facility.
Over 65’s get FREE Swimming at the following Centres
Banbridge Leisure Centre
Orchard Leisure Centre
South Lake Leisure Centre
Check out Swim Times here
Get Inspired – Getactiveabc Positive Ageing Ambassadors
GETACTIVEABC MEMBERSHIPS
BENEFITS OF AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE
Getactiveabc is delighted to once again support the annual Positive Ageing Campaign. Positive Ageing Month puts a focus on the 5 steps to wellbeing – Be Active, Connect, Take Notice, Give and Keep Learning.
There are many benefits of living an active lifestyle:
✅ Helps maintain the ability to live independently and reduces the risk of falling.
✅ Reduces the risk of health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, colon cancer, and diabetes.
✅ Reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression and fosters improvements in mood and feelings of wellbeing.
✅ Helps maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints.
✅ Helps control joint swelling and pain associated with arthritis.
ABC SENIOR NEWSLETTER
For a full list of activities across the borough, download the Newsletter here
