Sláintecare Healthy Communities continues to be rolled out across the 19 communities with the first local launch having taken place in Bray, Co Wicklow in May. This national initiative focusses on bringing about real, measurable change, based on an understanding of the determinants of health and evidence based health and wellbeing programmes.
The launch was well attended by a cross section of the community and it featured a number of the delivery services showcasing their services on the day. Sláintecare Healthy Communities aims to provide support to people in the identified communities to make real and tangible changes in their lives to improve their health.
Aisling Heffernan, Head of Service for HSE Health and Wellbeing for Community Healthcare East speaking at the launch said:
“Health inequality impacts on life expectancy, the risk of chronic disease and the general health of a person. HSE Community Healthcare East welcomes the significant investment in Bray under the Sláintecare Healthy Communities programme to allow us to work in partnership with Wicklow County Council and local community groups to further enhance supports for tobacco cessation, healthy eating, parenting and social prescribing in the area.”
Emphasising the collaborative approach, which involves the HSE, Local Authority and local community services, Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan, who officially launched the first Sláintecare Healthy Community in Bray, said:
“These locally commissioned community partners who have an existing reach and engagement into the Bray community will be a key asset to the programme as they are already imbedded into your community. Taking an evidence-based approach, this work will build on existing health and wellbeing programmes in the Bray community and mobilise available resources to address local needs.”
A once off total fund of €250,000 has been made available. The focus of this fund, the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Community Enhancement Scheme, is to support projects through Wicklow County Council that will positively impact on the health and wellbeing of those who live within the Bray area.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly was unable to attend the event, but sent a video message to express his delight that Bray was the first of the Sláintecare Health Communities local launches to take place nationwide. Minister Donnelly said the benefits of the €250,000 grant from the programme are already visible in Bray:
“We have seen the installation of three community kitchens, which will enable the delivery of healthy eating and cookery courses; alongside the installation of outdoor gym equipment and playground bouldering rocks and the refurbishment of the sports pavilion and playing pitches in Ballywaltrim. This programme aims to support the health and wellbeing of the people in Bray by providing better access to the range of services needed to help improve and promote healthier lifestyle behaviours.”
Brian Gleeson, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, said the local authority “looks forward to working with our partners in the Department of Health and the HSE and the wider community in Bray, to enhance the health and wellbeing agenda”.
Sláintecare Healthy Communities is led by Healthy Ireland in the Department of Health.