Over 10,000 expected to take part in second Health and Wellbeing Week
By Mary Dennehy
A local TEAM of positive living ambassadors joined forces on Monday to launch the second annual Health and Wellbeing Week, which kicks off across South Dublin County today, Monday, September 14.
Focusing on mental health, physical activity and nutrition – and readily accessible across the county – Health and Wellbeing Week involves a diverse programme of activities, and promotes awareness, engagement and participation.
More than 10,000 people are expected to participate in the 72 events, which include meditation, a family mountain trip, physical activity for pre-school children, a craft group, music and movement, medicinal plants, Tai Chi, Reiki, baby massage, juicing, flower-arranging, stroke support group, painting, mindfulness, old-time waltz, a talk on identifying and tackling heart disease and much more.
All events will culminate in a closing ceremony in Corkagh Park on Saturday, September 19, when the Laurel’s 10K run in aid of Console will take place.
The development of Health and Wellbeing Week by South Dublin County Council follows a collaborative process among partner agencies such as the HSE, Tallaght Hospital, Pieta House, South Dublin County Partnership and Trinity College Centre for Health Sciences who, among others, had a shared vision and awareness of the many services and facilities available to citizens.
Alongside encouraging people to get off the couch this September and engage in some fun physical activity, Health and Wellbeing Week aims to introduce local people to services and activities in their area – promoting long-term participation and an awareness of where support, information and healthy living advice is available.
Maria Finn, Social Inclusion Officer with South Dublin County Council, said: “The Health and Wellbeing of our population is a measure of our success as a society.
“As a local authority we influence physical and mental wellbeing through social inclusion events, as lead agency of inter-agency initiatives, recreation, activities, library services, employment creation, housing supply, community infrastructure and financial supports.
“In South Dublin County Council we are very conscious of our role in this regard and continue to maintain the wellbeing of our citizens as a priority objective of service delivery.”
A team of ambassadors have signed up to support Health and Wellbeing Week and include councillor and former Olympian Kenneth Egan, Dr Catherine Darker, Healthy Ireland, Ruth Scott, 2FM, Brian Higgins, 2FM, James Reynolds, Irish Transplant Sports Team, Teresa Costello, Patient Ambassador for Breast Cancer Ireland, Aisling Finnegan, Dublin Rose of Tralee, David Bobett, Global Entrepreneur, Jenny Egan, Irish International Kayaker, Jack Woolley, Tallaght champion teenager in Dan Taekwondo, Matt Dowling, Tuas Nua (older persons forum), Darragh Zaidan, Irish Road Race Cyclist, Louise Ormsby, Operation Transformation Leader, and Graham Gartland, Shamrock Rovers FC.
A programme of events is available on www.sdcc.ie or drop into your local library or community centre for a brochure.
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