NIS remembers aged in Golden Years

The National Insurance Services opened its 2nd Golden Years Activity Centre at Black Point on Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 3 p.m.

These Centres are intended to provide senior citizens with a place where they can have meaningful interaction on a daily basis. The first centre was opened at Cane Grove on the Leeward side of the island on November 2, 2004. {{more}}

The Black Point centre was designed by Moulton Mayers Architects and constructed by Enos Johnson and Alfred Lewis

The ceremony at Black Point was chaired by the Deputy Director of the NIS, Mineva Glasgow. Remarks were made by the Executive Director Reginald Thomas, Lennox Bowman, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Hon. Selmon Walters, Minister of Social Development.

The feature address was delivered by Dr. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, Area Representative and Prime Minister and Minister with responsibility for Social Security.

In his remarks, Dr. Gonsalves said he saw the case of the elderly as the Government’s moral obligation, since the elderly made valuable contributions to society when they were young. He also stressed that geriatric care is a vital component of the delivery of health care in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Chairman Bowman stated that the centre would have a positive effect on aged persons in the community, since persons will be able to meet at the centre on a daily basis for socialization, recreation and to receive nutritious meals.

Executive Director, Reginald Thomas, noted that the opening of the centre at Black Point coincided with the NIS’s 18th anniversary. He also said that the centre aims to enhance the dignity and quality of life of senior citizens and to provide them with a sense of purpose.

Entertainment was provided by the staff of the NIS, the Sandy Bay Quadrille Group, Bethel Care and SVG Police Steel Orchestra. The cutting of the ribbon was done by Theresa Francis, mother of the Prime Minister and Jestina Charles paid tribute on behalf of the National Council of Older Persons (N.C.O.P)