Derry ‘Chat Tea Train/Chatty Carriage’ puts older people on the right track to friendship and connections

The ‘Chat Tea Train/Chatty Carriage’ exchange was organised by the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) social workers in the Northern Trust in collaboration with their colleagues in the Western Trust and Translink.

Coinciding with Age NI Loneliness Awareness Week, which aims to raise awareness about loneliness and empower people to make connections. AGENI provided a stall on the day, promoting Shared Lives.

There was approximately 90 SmartPass holders board in Coleraine, were 90 people made the opposite journey from the North West Transport Hub, Derry to Coleraine, accompanied by the U3A Ukulele band and Lilliput Theatre Company.

They enjoyed the scenic train journey before disembarking and meeting with a group of older people who were preparing to make their way to Coleraine.

After enjoying some entertainment together, they went their separate ways, before meeting up again in Coleraine Train Station where they were treated to a performance by the Irish Society Primary School choir ahead of the Derry group’s return journey.

Shona McEleney, Western Trust Social Work Assistant, Glendermott Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) GP Practice, Waterside Health Centre, said: “The Chat Tea Train initiative started off back in October 2023 with a small number of participants attending and from the positive feedback this has now grown to having more than 110 people joining us for our last event in April 2024!

“We are delighted to welcome our colleagues in the Northern Trust to collaborate with us for this joint event today to coincide with Age NI Loneliness Week.

"It is has been a hugely successful initiative and to see the friendships and connections made through our train journeys has been wonderful. We hope that these events can continue to help older people in our community to feel less isolated and lonely.”

Mark Montgomery, Route Manager at Translink, said: "Public transport plays a vital role in better connecting people and offers so much more than simply taking people from A to B. It not only helps get people to appointments, social groups, and to visit friends and family, it's also a great facilitator for social engagement.”