Active Healthy Me is an exciting health, wellbeing and physical activity programme that works with people with disabilities to increase their knowledge and understanding about the benefits of being physically active and living a healthy lifestyle. It is a partnership programme between Active Disability Ireland and the HSE, aimed at people with disabilities attending day services across the health services. The programme also offers the opportunity for day services to enter the Active Disability Services Awards, which have been developed to recognise and reward Disability Services and individuals with disabilities throughout Ireland who have shown leadership and commitment in supporting people with disabilities stay active and healthy.
This year’s Awards took place on 22nd March 2024 and was supported by the HSE Health & Wellbeing, HSE Disability Services and Sport Ireland. Eight category awards were presented on the day, highlighting areas of excellence through programme initiatives including outstanding physical activity programme, health promotion initiatives and community inclusion collaboration projects. The awards also highlighted 4 special recognition awards presented to individuals and services who champion the importance of physical activity and inspire their peers or colleagues who go above and beyond to include active healthy practices in everyday life.
Supported by HSE Health and Wellbeing staff in the community, the programme is going from strength to strength and Active Disability Ireland are now working directly with over 440 disability services to support their development and growth in physical activity and to support their connection with their local community services. This is part of wider work to integrate health and wellbeing into disability services.
Pictured are two of the recent winners:
Team from St Michael’s house, winners of two awards, with Eimear Cotter HSE Health & Wellbeing who was part of the Awards Judging panel. St. Michaels won Best Disability Organisation Senior Management and Best Community Engagement Initiative.
(L-R) : Eimear Cotter, Dylan Casey, Kevin Carpenter, Elizabeth McAnally, Patrick O’Callaghan and Leanne Walsh.
Pic : Lorraine O’Sullivan
For more information:
Active Disability Ireland Awards https://activedisability.ie/active-disability-services-awards-2023/
Active Healthy Me https://activedisability.ie/active-healthy-me/
The full list of Winners were
- Cumas New Ross from Co. Wexford, who were awarded the Best Physical Activity Initiative
- Streetwise Brothers of Charity from Ennis in Co. Clare took home the Best Outdoor Activity Initiative
- Rehab Care Blennerville were crowned the winners of the Best Healthy Lifestyle Initiative
- Best Community Engagement Initiative awards was St. Michael’s House Dublin
- Active Champion Male was awarded to Martin McLoughlin from HSE Ballytivnan Resource Centre – Co. Sligo and Active Champion Female award Ruth Barron from Stewarts Care – Co. Dublin. They were chosen as this year’s winners for their involvement in sporting activities and their passion for advocating for inclusive physical activity participation.
- Leitrim based support staff Rebecca Allen from North West Parents and Friends Association was triumphant in the Best Active Healthy Me Staff Lead category.
- St. Michael’s House accepted their second award of the day for Best Disability Organisation Senior Management.
