Council Hosts Successful Easter Tea Dance in collaboration with Arbour Housing for Over 50s!

Newry Mourne and Down District Council, in partnership with Arbour Housing, delighted residents with a vibrant tea dance event aimed at celebrating the communities over 50s. Held at Newry Town Hall the event was hugely successful.

The tea dance, held on 27 March 2024, brought together residents from diverse backgrounds, uniting them through the music and dance. Attendees revelled in an afternoon filled with delightful music, graceful movements, and heartfelt conversations, creating cherished memories that will endure for years to come.

Arbour Housing’s new apartment block on the Belfast Road, Newry features 21 apartments for general needs, category 1 (Over 55’s) and one wheelchair accessible unit which is also a new shared community, supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme.

The event not only provided a platform for social interaction but also underscored the council's and Arbour Housing’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and well-being among its residents, particularly the over 50s demographic. Through initiatives like the tea dance, Newry Mourne and Down District Council continues to foster an environment where all members of the community feel valued, supported, and celebrated.

Chairperson of Newry Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Valerie Harte, expressed her delight at the event's success and said, "Our tea dance celebrations have always been a testament to the strength of our community spirit. It is heartwarming to witness residents from different walks of life coming together to enjoy each other's company and create lasting connections. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Arbour Housing for their invaluable partnership in making this event a resounding success through the Shared Housing programme."

Arbour Housing continues to work in partnership with the local advisory group stakeholders and residents to develop and deliver a good relations plan for the area. This plan will include ‘bridging’ events which are delivered to the wider community to encourage a range of good relations outcomes which include health and wellbeing, education and training. The Easter tea dance was a huge success in working towards all of the key elements associated with the good relations plan.

The Easter Tea Dance is supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme. The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. £2.18 million has been invested in the Belfast Road, Newry shared housing development and associated five-year Good Relations Plan.