As part of the continued roll out of Sláintecare Healthy Communities, Cllr Vincent Jackson launched the Cherry Orchard and Ballyfermot Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme at a community event in the Ballyfermot Civic Officer on Thursday 27th April 2023.
Sláintecare Healthy Communities is a cross-Government initiative to deliver increased health and wellbeing services to 19 community areas across Ireland. This programme will be delivered locally in Cherry Orchard and Ballyfermot in partnership with the HSE, Dublin City Council, Ballyfermot Chapelizod Partnership and other community organisations such as FamiliBase, Ballyfermot Resource Centre and The Orchard Centre.
Tom James, Head of Health and Wellbeing, Department of Health said “There seems to be a real sense of empowerment for those who have become involved in the initiatives under the programme, showing the opportunities for real and positive changes for the people in this community. All of these programmes we are talking about today are available free of charge to the people living in Cherry Orchard and Ballyfermot and I’m reminded of what one of the participants said in another Healthy Community area – “very often the biggest step is just coming along on that first day”.
Margaret McQuillan, HSE Dublin South, Kildare & West Wicklow Head of Health and Wellbeing highlighted the evidence-based and practical programmes available in the Cherry Orchard and Ballyfermot area as part of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities programme. These include:
- Stop Smoking Service, We Can Quit,
- Parenting Programmes,
- Healthy Food Made Easy,
- Social Prescribing
- Making Every Contact Count.
The launch event was brought to life with service users voices talking about how the programmes from the HSE and Ballyfermot Chapelizod Partnership have improved their health and wellbeing, you can view these videos here: https://youtu.be/HLmtX_5R6P0
Sláintecare Healthy Communities SEED Funding was allocated to enhance community amenities to address health inequalities by improving the socioeconomic determinants of health and wellbeing.
A €250,000 once off Sláintecare Healthy Communities Enhancement Fund was made available to support the redevelopment and completion of the Ballyfermot People’s Park.
For more information visit www.hse.ie/slaintecare-healthy-communities.