Tearmann Fold Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Fold Housing Association''s Tearmann Fold celebrated its 10^th anniversary this week with a special lunch followed by music for residents and friends  the the sheltered schem on Andersonstown Road, Belfast.

Scheme Coordinator, Audrey Marks said,''''Tearmann opened in August 2004, providing much needed sheltered accommodation in the Andersonstown area.The residents, who all live independently, were thrilled with the experience of moving into a brand new home which offered comfort and security.  As well offering self-contained apartments, the facility was complete with a library, hairdressers, computer rooms and a full calendar of social activities which continues to this day.''''

She added, ''We currently have 38 residents, some couples and singles, who live in the 32 apartments and they all take an active part in social activities.Over the past 10 years residents have been on cruises and weekends away as well as trips to visitor attractions all over Northern Ireland.This year we had a fantastic trip to the Isle of Man.

Tearmann Fold is a community within the community. Over the past 10 years our residents have been involved in many charities raising thousands of pounds toward good causes across the world.Most recently we held a coffee morning for Fold''s corporate charity Macmillan NI and raised £125.

Tearmann Fold residents also set up Tearmann Drama Group, this evolved to become Andersonstown Community Theatre which involves residents as well as the wider community.The group have taken their performances to care homes and community centres across the City and also performed in the Waterfront Hall. Their latest production, The Bus Run was performed during Feile Belfast to a packed house and received a standing ovation!

Two long standing residents of Tearmann Fold summed up the accommodation saying, the best move we ever made!

Audrey  concluded by saying, ''''Over the years we''ve had many important visitors to Tearmann Fold including 3 Lord Mayors of Belfast and the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness. For us though the most import people to walk through the doors have always been our residents, their families and friends. The community feeling and friendship with all the neighbours at Tearmann is evidence of great place to live.

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