Mid Ulster District Council PEACEPLUS Health and Wellbeing Programme
Launch of New PEACEPLUS Health and Wellbeing Programme across Mid Ulster
A new Mid Ulster based programme working with local Youth, people with Disability and with Men’s and Women’s Sheds was launched on Friday 29th August in The Hill of O’Neill/Ranfurly House. The three-year Health and Wellbeing Programme is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It is being delivered on behalf of Mid Ulster District Council under its 1.1 Co-Designed Local PEACEPLUS Action Plans, within the theme ‘Thriving and Peaceful Communities’.
Cookstown & Western Shores Area Network (CWSAN) and its Delivery Partners announced the launch of the initiative which will engage 750 beneficiaries from across the district, with a strong focus on disadvantaged and marginalised groups. The programme aims to promote social inclusion while improving mental, emotional, and overall wellbeing.
Rosaleen Hanna, Chairperson of CWSAN, commented:
“As CWSAN enters its 30th year of operation, the delivery of this programme across Mid Ulster perfectly aligns with our ethos and commitment to supporting local communities. We are delighted to work with the Mid Ulster PEACEPLUS Partnership on a Health and Well-being initiative which reflects our ongoing drive to connect and collaborate with key community partners and statutory agencies providing local support to communities across the district.
We would encourage those groups with a focus on Men’s and Women’s Sheds, Disability and/or Youth Resilience to get in contact with the programme. Contact Conor at Healthandwellbeing@cwsan.org
Councillor John McNamee, Chairperson of the Mid Ulster PEACEPLUS Partnership noted that:
“This is the first of our Mid Ulster PEACEPLUS projects off the ground; projects that will deliver real change to Mid Ulster residents. The project, supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) will result in better health and well-being outcomes and help to address the complex causes of social isolation and feelings of loneliness that impact on poor mental and physical health, especially in rural districts like Mid Ulster.”
Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Frances Burton has also welcomed the launch of the first Mid Ulster project, saying:
“The Mid Ulster PEACEPLUS Co-Designed Local Community Action Plan has huge potential has huge potential in supporting the development of Mid Ulster as one that is equitable, diverse and inclusive. The projects delivered over the next three years are designed to take the opportunities presented by Peace, delivering on addressing key needs in our rural and urban areas, enhancing social, economic and environmental regeneration for generations to come.”
The Programme is designed to
- Combat Isolation and Loneliness through Men’s and Women’s Sheds.
- Support skills development, social networking and civic participation through a Disability Engagement Programme
- Address key concerns including mental health, healthy relationships, and personal safety through our Youth Resilience Programme.
Through various designed activities the programme will strengthen the capacity of cross-community groups, build leadership and skills, increase volunteering opportunities, create sustainable networks and promote diversity and inclusion.
The key Delivery Partners who will pioneer the programme over the next three years are CWSAN, the Mid Ulster Disability Forum and Shopmobility Mid Ulster along with Fresh Minds Education Ltd. These Partners bring extensive experience and expertise to this programme, having successfully delivered initiatives such as the Peace IV Engaging Rural Communities project. Having developed a strong collaboration ethos and an understanding of the issues on the ground a robust project management schedule is being put in place to achieve Programme success.
Contact Information Email: healthandwellbeing@cwsan.org Phone: 028 877 738845
