All aboard for a chatty outing to the seaside

A group of people standing on the platform at Ballymoney station.

A group of older people from Ballymoney and Coleraine have enjoyed a train journey with a difference to Castlerock.

Over 30 passengers got on board for the ‘chatty outing’, a special initiative held during Loneliness Awareness Week aimed at bringing people together.

Organised by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s GP Social Work team, the event was all about making connections, encouraging conversations and reminding people that they’re not alone.

Anna Nicholl, a Northern Trust Senior Social Worker with the Primary Care Team based at Ballymoney Family Practice said: “Our Chatty Outing was a fantastic success, and the whole day demonstrated how creating opportunities to get out and meet others can support people’s wellbeing.

“It was great to see such a positive response from everyone who took part, even on such a wet morning!”

“Bringing people together in a relaxed and friendly setting like this helps to tackle loneliness and reminds us how important social connections are to our overall wellbeing.”

Among those taking part was Alastair Stewart from the Ballymoney area, who said it was a great way to get out of the house and meet with others: “Coming along to something like really helps me, and it is the best group to be a part of. We would meet up on a Wednesday as well by ourselves, and if anyone has a problem it’s a good place to come along to and just have a chat with others.”

A group of people standing on the platform at Ballymoney station.
Alastair Stewart (front) pictured with Northern Trust social work colleague Una Forsythe and others who took part in the Chatty Outing to Castlerock.
A group of people standing on the platform at Ballymoney station.
Northern Trust social work colleagues Una Forsythe and Anna Nicholl pictured with Shiralee Nicholl and Graham Stevenson at Ballymoney station.
Four women sit on a bench with a large sign which reads 'Ballymoney' and a train timetable behind them.
Julia Henry, Joyce Madison, Gwen Dodds and Mandy McElreavey waiting for the train in Ballymoney.
A group of women standing on the platform at Ballymoney station.
Some of those who took part in the chatty outing to Castlerock.
A group of people standing on the platform at Ballymoney station.
Anna Nicholl (Northern Trust), Ludmila Melnyk, Valentyna Chupilkova, Rosemary Steele and Janice Cruikshank (Northern Trust) pictured in Ballymoney ahead of the ‘chatty outing’ to Castlerock.
Four women pictured on board a train, sitting two by two.
On board the train on the ‘chatty outing’ to Castlerock.
Four women sitting beside each other on a train.
Ludmila Melnyk and Valentyna Chupilkova on board during the chatty outing’ to Castlerock.
Three women sit at a blue table, with cups in front of them, in a cafe setting.
Enjoying a coffee break in Castlerock.

19th June 2026

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