Good Vibrations is Age NI’s new men’s health programme which has been named ‘Good Vibrations’ to focus on the positives and ‘good vibes’ of embracing later life as the charity has researched resources were needed aimed specifically at meeting the needs of men as they get older.
Funded by the Movember Foundation, Good Vibrations offers a range of services to suit the varied ages and stages of life of men over 50, from pension and retirement planning to those seeking work-life balance as caring responsibilities develop or health issues occur to those who are retiring or retired.
Alongside the programme there’s a Men’s Health Guide as well as a new podcast series hosted by local broadcaster Joe Lindsay entitled ’How's the form?’, Joe chats to some of Northern Ireland's best-known men about life after 50 as they discuss their professional highs and lows and talk about how they're looking after themselves in later life.
Terri Hooley, owner of Belfast’s legendary Good Vibrations record shop and Glenn Patterson, Northern Ireland novelist who co-wrote the film based on Terri’s life, will also feature on the Podcast series.
Commenting on the programme, Mark O’Hara, Principal Psychologist in the Department for Communities says, “Having bought my first vinyl records in Terri Hooley’s ‘Good Vibrations’, I am now safely in the ‘over 50s’. I also admit I didn’t always have a big focus on my health and maybe took things for granted. More recently I have had a re-think on this, and I am now motivated to live a bit more of a healthier life and to aim for an active retirement. Knowing I need to do a bit more to achieve this, I am really pleased to see the range of support offered by Age NI’s Good Vibrations and I am keen to get colleagues in DfC and the wider NICS on board with it.”
Age NI's Director of Marketing & Business Development, Siobhan Casey, explained, “Our research with over 300 older men revealed that they don’t know where to turn for advice and information on the new challenges of life beyond 50. This could be financial worries like pension and retirement planning in the later stage of working life, or the transition into retirement; it might be the stress of taking on caring responsibilities, managing a chronic illness or facing bereavement; or it may be a wake-up call triggering a re-evaluation of how to take better care of their health. Of course, all of these critical life challenges can have a massive impact on an individual’s stress, mental health, and overall health and well-being. And yet, there isn’t a single source of information or advice for this specific stage of life. Good Vibrations aims to fill this information gap with tailor-made support, information and advice on all the topics men of this age group have told us they want to know more about.’’
To engage with the new Good Vibrations resources – you can listen and subscribe to ‘How’s the form?, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and read the Good Vibrations men’s health guide online or order your free physical copy here.
Further information is available on Age NI’s website
