08/10/2025
GP Multidisciplinary Social Work Teams have collaborated with Derry City and Strabane District Council Positive ageing month and partnered with the local age friendly co-ordinator Pauline O’Neill with another successful Chat Tea Train event recently.
Shona McEleney, GP Social Work Assistant explains:
“We had a total 80 people aged 60+ travelled from Waterside Train Station to Coleraine and they enjoyed a sing song on the train as usual, and many a chat and laugh was had. The weather was not on our side that day, but it was great to see so many people attend the event. The weather didn’t dampen our spirits in anyway. We also continued to partner with the local Ukelele band from U3A ” The D’Ukes of Gransha” who kindly entertain us at the station and on our train trip to our destination!
“This Chat Tea Train initiative is running into its third year now and has been going from strength to strength, benefiting people in the local community who are experiencing loneliness or isolation, provide an opportunity for people to reminisce about their time travelling by train to the seaside and bring joy and friendship for everyone who attends. The positive feedback has once again greatly benefitted people in our local community who are experiencing loneliness or isolation. We were joined at the station with The Silence of Sewing who were funded by Arts Council NI join us at Coleraine and supported by Translink. The benefits of Silence of Sewing encourages social engagement, promotes getting out on public transport and highlights the value in taking time to do something for yourself.
Thank you once again to our partnership with Translink for their continued support for this initiative which is very much appreciated.”
