Health and wellbeing initiative launched

Health and wellbeing initiative launched

1 April 2015

BETTER mental and physical health, tackling the high incidence of suicide and addressing anti-social behaviour were just some of the issues raised at the launch of the Ballynahinch electoral area Community Health and Wellbeing plan on Monday.

The plan was launched by Down Council, the Public Health Agency and County Down Rural Community Network with local community and statutory partners in Ballynahinch Market House.

Chris Totten, from the Public Health Agency, said hundreds of local people from the

Ballynahinch, Drumaness, Spa and Drumaroad areas had helped compile the plan.

“The process of public meetings, data collection and community development has improved awareness of the great work that is currently going on day and daily here,” he said. 

“That process has identified many of the key needs and issues that are still creating health inequalities. This is now an ideal time to work together collectively to address these issues for the benefit of the health and wellbeing of residents in the greater Ballynahinch area.”

Nicholas McCrickard, from County Down Rural Community Network, thanked Community Places who helped write the report and the local partners involved.

“The proposed new community plans which will be created in the coming years by the new council can draw on the work contained in this plan,” he said. “Ballynahinch will be able to use this research and the relationships developed in the writing of this plan to inform and influence the future delivery of services and the allocation of resources.”

Richard Orme, chairman of the recently formed Ballynahinch Community Collective, said: “The first steps have been taken by the local community. Groups across Ballynahinch have formed themselves into a community collective where dialogue and cooperation are seen as the best way to get things done for the whole community. 

“We are planning a number of events and programmes to address the issues highlighted with a health fair on good mental health and suicide awareness in May 2015. It is hoped more community partners will join the collective and get involved in driving the way forward to improve all our lives.”