Cash boost helps local group invest in their health
The Southern Investing for Health Partnership (SIHP) has awarded funding to 41 local community groups across the Southern area.
Funded by the Public Health Agency, the SHIPs small grants programme awards funding to community-based groups encouraging local activities that address the key targets in Investing for Health, i.e. poverty and disadvantage; neighbourhood and environment; education and life-skills and healthy choices.
One of the first groups to secure funding of almost £1000 is Willowbank Community Resource Centre in Dungannon.
The participants, all adults between the ages of 16 and 65 have been participating in a range of physical activities such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Indoor Bowling and Badminton.
The programme aims to increase the level of participation in physical activity among people with physical disabilities, promoting wider health benefits and their knowledge of the link between physical activity and health and well being.
Willowbank Service User, Graham Moore said: “From my own perspective this programme has enabled me to go out and meet new people in a friendly and social environment. Thanks to the SIHP small grant, it has introduced me to a wide range of activities which I had never experienced before. It really has been a new lease of life for me.”
Faith Porter, Support Worker at Willowbank added “This Investing for Health programme has proven to be very successful. As Co- ordinator for the project at Willowbank, I have been encouraged by the response from the service users to undertake these new and exciting activities which have proved beneficial in terms of their overall health.
Investing for Health Officer, Elaine Devlin said: “The SIHP is delighted to support this physical activity programme which will ultimately improve the physical, mental, emotional and social health and well being of the participants.”
Other groups within the Armagh and Dungannon area to secure funding this year were:-
• ABLE Group
• Armagh and Dungannon Branch of Autism NI
• Aughnacloy Playgroup
• Derrylaughan GAC
• Firs Playgroup
• Laurelvale and District Community Association
• Marlacoo Rural Association
• Naiscoil Ui Chleirigh
• Redrock Development Association
• Station Road Resource Centre Support Group
• Tannagh Hill Rural Development Association
• Uplift
You can log onto the Small Grants section of our website www.southernifh.com to see the full list of local community groups that have received funding.