Part one – To Age Well or not to Age Well – the decision is ours to make

Sinead and Gráinne will introduce the Ageing Well Public Talk series and as part of it we will explore why is it important to think and discuss about ageing. We will discuss some most common age-related conditions such as osteoporosis, frailty, and how hormonal changes associated with ageing may affect us. We will look into how we might want to think about ageing and preventing ill health, self-manage better and keep our health and wellbeing for longer. We will also give a brief overview of the most recent 4 nations public health campaign Take Five to Age Well .

Dr Sinéad Eccles – Chartered Neuropsychologist and Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, The Open University. Sinead has worked with in academia for over 20 years and has a background in Neuropsychology with a focus on the Biological Basis of eating disorders.

Dr Gráinne O’Connor – Contract Research Assistant Faculty of Wellbeing, Education & Language Studies, The Open University. Gráinne has been working on the Ageing Well Public Talks Series for more than three years. She has a background in health and a special interest in human-companion animal (pets) interactions in older age.

Part two - Plan ahead: Transforming our Experience of End-of-life Care

In this talk, Sharon Williams, Project Manager at Compassionate Communities NI, will explore the transformative power of Advance Care Planning. By addressing the common anxieties surrounding mortality, Sharon will discuss how increased awareness and education can move us from a place of fear – characterised by social isolation and loneliness - to one of empowerment. Central to this transition is the concept of "Death Literacy"— the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed, confident choices. Drawing on her extensive experience, Sharon will demonstrate how using tools like the Your Life, Your Choices booklet and My Peace of Mind Planner allow individuals to articulate their values across personal, legal, clinical, and financial domains. She will emphasise that when we prioritise death literacy, we gain the practical confidence to advocate for ourselves and our loved ones, ensuring that care remains compassionate, person-centred, and aligned with our individual wishes.

Sharon Williams is the Project Manager at Compassionate Communities NI, an organisation dedicated to improving the experiences of dying, death, and bereavement through community-based support. With over 15 years of experience in palliative and end-of-life care, Sharon is a recognised expert in increasing death literacy and community preparedness. Her work focuses on transforming the societal narrative around end-of-life by equipping individuals and families with the tools to transition from fear to informed, confident decision-making. Sharon holds a degree in Psychology, Business Management, and Administration, and combines her professional expertise with a passion for creative engagement to foster resilience and support within local communities across Northern Ireland.