There’s a unique event in the works to help Northumberland seniors coming up at the Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn.
“As we age, a sense of purpose, the opportunity to take small risks, to learn and to stay locally connected all become more important for our social, emotional (and) physical (health) and our brain health,” explains Madelaine Currelly, CEO of the Community Training and Development Centre for Innovation and Improvement, who tells us more about the inspiration behind this June 8 event.
“We’ve been in business in Cobourg and Peterborough for 30 years,” adds Currelly. “And over the next … 18 months, we’re trying to do things that will show our appreciation for the community, for the support they’ve given us, and for celebrating what we’ve been able to do as a small not-for-profit located in a rural area.”
The event also aims to celebrate Seniors Month locally.
The June 8 event – which will see the centre team-up with the Cobourg YMCA – will include a screening of the lighthearted “Silver Screamers.” This is a Canadian documentary film highlighting a group of seniors making a horror movie, which has them stepping outside their comfort zones, and seniors are involved throughout the whole project, including as the cast and crew, shares Currelly.
After meeting the director and producer of the film – who Currelly described as a celebrated Canadian filmmaker – she was just “so impressed,” and she’s hoping seniors here will benefit, too, from the experience.
Part of the work at the centre in recent years has also focused on brain science and development and brain abnormalities as people age. Some of the statistics in this realm include that one-in-three people will develop a neurological disorder in their lifetime and how this is a leading cause of disability and leading cause of death worldwide, notes Currelly.
Meanwhile, it’s now also expected that by 2031, Canada will see more than 15,000 new cases of dementia monthly, adds Currelly, who is hoping this upcoming event will offer the right mix of letting people have some fun and learn, too.
In addition to the screening, there will be a question-and-answer period with the director for the event, and there will be several guest speakers.
Whether you’re interested in connection, learning about the importance of music, movement, food choices, brain research or health supports, there will be lots happening. The full lineup is accessible here.
It’s shaping up to be a day-long adventure starting at 9:30 a.m., and the festivities will shift to the YMCA at about 12:30 p.m. for a free lunch and more musical-movement-based activities and creative projects.
It’s free to attend, but people do need to register in advance, with those details accessible here. People can sign up in-person at the Cobourg Y at 339 Elgin St. W., too.
Registration is also possible by calling the centre at 905-372-9967 ext. 802.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
