Projects

In addition to the provision of support to local groups, CWSAN has initiated, hosted and managed a number of programmes and projects in the areas.

In order to fulfil the guiding principles of social inclusion and reconciliation, the network has developed and embarked on a diverse range of projects.

CWSAN PROJECTS

DAERA Rural Community Development Support Service Contract

Cookstown and Western Shores Area Network (CWSAN) working in conjunction with Community Organisations of South Tyrone & Areas (COSTA) are now in the THIRD year of delivering a ‘Rural Community Development Support Service for Mid Ulster area.

The key elements of this current contract with the Department of
Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs (DAERA) supported through their Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Framework are:

> Supporting Access to the NI Rural Development Programme

> Assisting Development of the Rural Economy

> Supporting Access to the DARD Tackling Rural Poverty & Social Isolation Programme

> Developing Capacity & Leadership

For further information on the Rural Community Development Support Service please contact  Conor Corr, Development Manager            T: 028 8773 8845                            E: cwsan@aol.com

Suicide Prevention and Development (SPD) Project

Since 2010 CWSAN has worked with the Public Health Agency to employ a community based Suicide Prevention Development Worker for the Mid Ulster Area. This Project is linked to the Northern Ireland wide Suicide Prevention Strategy Action Plan: Protect Life and its aim is to raise suicide awareness, reduce stigma, signpost local communities and increase community involvement in suicide prevention, bereavement support and self harm initiatives.

Through this project CWSAN are part of the NPLIG Partnership which is multi agency raising awareness of the support which is available locally to improve the mental health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

A key part of this role is capacity building local communities to become more engaged in Suicide Prevention initiatives.

The project and the involvement of the communities in Suicide Prevention has also been externally evaluated by Mc Cready, Donnelly, Lowry Ltd. This evaluation was formally launched by the Public Health Agency in November 2012 at Greenmount College. Copies of this evaluation are available upon request at the CWSAN offices.

If you wish to avail of any of the aforementioned free suicide prevention training for your community please contact Denise.

SPD Project Officer                                      Denise Doherty

T: 07540 969623                                           E: denise@cwsan.org

 

Networks Involving Communities in Health Improvement (NICHI) Project

The NICHI project aims to strengthen links between Public Health Agency (PHA) and local communities in order to support local communities, through a community development approach, to address health and social wellbeing issues and reduce health inequalities through signposting, building capacity and strengthening local accountability to develop healthy, sustainable communities.

The NICHI project operates across the Northern Trust Locality area and is managed by the Community Support Networks. It is funded by the Public Health Agency and works in partnership with community, voluntary and statutory organisations.

The NICHI project focuses on the wider factors which impact on the health and well being of individuals and the community, through supporting groups locally to identify and tackle health and well being concerns such as physical activity, nutrition, community safety and the environment. Previously, the NICHI small grants was an opportunity for groups to build on their experience and skills to address some of these issues. Some of the 28 projects funded included confidence building for young people, drugs and alcohol information events, and using music and dance to encourage older people to become more active.

As well as promoting health and well being training in the community, the NICHI project officer has continued to deliver health and wellbeing information and support. This has included body image workshops to both youth groups and women’s groups and Age Health and Happiness workshops to older people’s groups.

The project has continued to support communities to become involved in discussions and decision making around health improvement. The local community across Cookstown, Magherafelt and Coleraine had the opportunity to meet with Dr Michael McBride to discuss the “Fit and Well – Changing Lives” health and well being framework.

The Health Alliance was developed by the NICHI project to provide an opportunity for communities, voluntary and statutory sectors to network, share information and best practice, engage in evidence based health improvement, access training and capacity building opportunities and contribute to sharing the health improvement agenda.

For a wide range of resources and support available to create healthier communities, To see the latest news from the Health Alliance, click here.  If you would like to become a member of the Health Alliance to get the latest health news and opportunities in your area and a regular e-zine straight to your inbox. Why not sign up now!

NICHI Project Officer               Anita Hurley
(Cookstown, Magherafelt and Coleraine areas)

T: 075 4063 5862    E: healthalliance@cwsan.org

Amongst these has been the establishment of the Lough Shore Youth Forum, the Lifelong Learning (Adult Literacy) Project for the Western Shores, the Rural Supported Housing Programme, the Lough Neagh Cycle Way and A weak / low Community infrastructure Initiative. The network was also involved with the establishment of the ‘Western Shores’ magazine.