Tipperary’s community and voluntary groups are leading the way towards a Healthy Tipp!
Getting new ways to help our health and wellbeing has never been easier. An exciting free event, will bring together community health activists, supporting agencies, inspirational speakers and a chance for everyone to do some simple health and fitness checks on the day. The event will take place in the Dome in Thurles from 3pm to 8pm on Wednesday 7th March. “Tipperary is full of amazing community and volunteer-led projects which are promoting health and wellbeing” explained Avril Wilson, co-ordinator of the Tipp Public Participation Network who are hosting the day. “Over 50 exhibitors are coming to the event to showcase what they do for physical health, mental health and general wellbeing from cradle to grave. We are inviting everyone to call into the Dome on March 7th to see what is happening in their area and also for groups to learn from each other, and to get new ideas.”
Along with the exhibitors there will be a designated activity zone where Public Health Nurses and the Irish Heart Foundation will be doing some basic health screening and taking blood pressure, Marie Keating Foundation (cancer information & care support) will be present with their mobile unit, a Clinical Nurse Diabetes Specialist doing screening and providing information. Setanta College will provide fitness testing with posture measurement chart, bar-bell and some light weights to show good gym technique and give Strength & Conditioning drills and demo’s, they will also have a sports-science tool used by some of the biggest professional clubs in the world, on the day it will be used to measure ‘jump height’ – a key measure of somebody’s power and athleticism. There will be something for everyone on the day. The event is organised by Tipperary Public Participation Network, who are a network of organisations from the Community and Voluntary, Social Inclusion and Environmental sectors in Tipperary. The PPN has over 1370 members to date.
In addition to the voluntary groups, the showcase will also feature organisations such as the Tipperary Sports Partnership and Tipperary County Council who work with individuals and communities to develop programmes for better health. “Just recently, we have been involved in a series of walking programmes and Swim for A mile initiatives “explained Valerie Connolly of the Tipperary Sports Partnership “We are really interested in working with people who are not actively involved in physical activity. Elaine Cullinan, Tipperary Sports Partnership, commented “The Social Inclusion programme of TSP specifically targets ‘hard to reach groups’ such as Youth at Risk, People with a Disability and Marginalised Communities. Just recently we have been involved in the establishment of the ‘Tipperary Warriors’ in partnership with IWA Sport – Tipperary’s first multisport club for children with a physical disability. This Thurles based club is going from strength to strength and is making a real difference to families from all over the county”.
Tipperary PPN are actively involved in promoting health and well- being and this will be the biggest event hosted by the organisation to date. Secretariat member Mary Ryan says that it’s the simple things in life we can do daily, like just taking a walk and enjoying nature and wildlife with our families. Voluntary groups across the country have developed and maintained many of our off the road nature walks in Tipperary, e.g. pilgrim paths, the Glen of Aherlow, Templemore park and the Beara Breifne to mention but a few.
The event will also be a chance to give your views on what you feel is most important for a Healthy Tipperary over the next five years. “We need to hear the priorities for health on the ground” explained Sara Bourke, PPN representative on the Local Community Development Committee. “So many things contribute to our mental and physical health; opportunities to be active, good nutrition, skills to reduce stress, being part of a community that cares, having a safe and nurturing environment and enough income to live decently. As well as providing good medical healthcare, we also must look at these wider aspects of how we can keep healthy.” The consultants devising the Healthy Tipperary Plan will be at the Dome and want to gather the views of the public. People can also feed into this “Healthy Tipperary Strategy” and give their views by simply completing the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/69YLHP9
The event is supported by the Healthy Ireland Fund, which is managed by an interagency group led by Tipperary County Council, with the HSE, Children and Young Peoples’ Services Committee, PPN and the Local Community Development Committee.
For more information on Tipperary PPN you can visit the website www.ppntipperray.org or contact Avril Wilson Co-ordinator PPN Tipperary at 0504 61014 or 087 4567111
