Monaghan Integrated Development in partnership with Truagh Development Association hosted a health awareness information event in the state of the art community building, the Blackwater Learning Centre on Monday 28th June. The event aimed to promote awareness of some key health areas among the north Monaghan community.
Supporting communities to host health events is an action in Monaghan Integrated Development’s 2010 programme plan. Regina Byrne, Community Development Officer with the local development company explained that by supporting communities to host events and encourage those who are isolated and marginalised to attend ,it is hoped that this will reach out to people who may not access or engage with health service delivery and encourage them to do so.
On becoming aware of the action, Truagh Development Association instantly came on board to organise an event for their locality. Truagh Development is a voluntary organisation that has worked to develop the community in strategic phased bases since it formed in1985. The Association’s mission is to realise local community initiatives and identify opportunities for future community development and enterprise, to rebuild relationships with neighbours across the border and build again the community and business relations that existed in the past (before border marginalisation).
The health event consisted of three presentations, the first from Ursula Clancey, Nurse with the Marie Keating Foundation. The Foundation formed by the members of the Keating family after the death of their mother Marie in 1998 from breast cancer. The Marie Keating mobile units and nurses visit communities as part of their health promotion message. In the mobile unit, people can access information on different forms of cancer, i.e. Lung, Bowel, Skin, Mouth, Prostate, Testicular, Ovarian, cervical & Brest Cancer from a nurse on sight and take home literature. After Ursula’s presentation, the mobile unit parked outside the Blackwater Learning Centre for the day where members of the community could access it at a time that suited them.
The second presentation, given by Gwen Rice, Senior Community Dietician, with North Monaghan Primary Care Team focused on the role of dietitian, benefits of health eating, good nourishment and changing behaviours to improve health. While describing the role of the dietician, Gwen described her work with GPs and the Primary Care Teams.
The final presentation of the morning was delivered by Jennifer Treanor, Locality Based Health Promotion Officer with the HSE Health Promotion department who described her work with communities. As a follow on, Jennifer will be delivering a Golden Years Health Promotion Train the Trainer programme in the Blackwater Learning Centre for people working with older adults. The aim of this training is to provide basic knowledge and raise awareness on healthy eating, fire safety, falls prevention and promotion of physical activity. The training dates are 8th July, 15th July with the final session on the 20th July.
The morning was rounded off by Mary McCrystal, Manager of the Centre and Regina Byrne, Monaghan Integrated Development. Mary thanked all the presenters for their informative presentations while Regina paid tribute to Truagh Development for all their hard work in organising the event – Mary McCrystal, Josie Brady, and all the staff at the Centre.
Supporting communities to hold health events is one area groups have accessed help with from Monaghan Integrated Development. Other forms of help available includes getting a group started, identifying and prioritizing local needs, drafting development plans, applying for funding, planning and implementing community projects. To avail of this support, contact Regina at Monaghan Integrated Development’s Castleblayney Office on 042-9749500 or e-mail
rbyrne@monaghanintegrateddevelopment.ieMOBILE PHONE CLASSES FOR SENIORS
A training programme is being run specifically for older people to develop the skills to use a mobile phone, commencing on Wednesday 17th November, 1 morning per week for 5 weeks from 10am – 12.30pm in the Blackwater Valley Learning Centre, Ballyoisin. If you wish to take part or would like further information please contact Nuala on 047-87049 or Josie on 086-8093465.
BROWSING THE INTERNET CLASSES FOR SENIORS
A training programme is being run specifically for older people to develop the skills to use the internet, commencing on Wednesday 17th November, 1 morning per week for 5 weeks from 10am – 12.30pm in the Blackwater Valley Learning Centre, Ballyoisin. If you wish to take part or would like further information please contact Nuala on 047-87049 or Josie on 086-8093465.
The Essential Skills Certificate (Workplace, Community & Education)
BEING HELD AT THE BLACKWATER VALLEY LEARNING CENTRE, KNOCKCONAN/BALLYOISIN, EMYVALE, CO. MONAGHAN
This Essential Skills Certificate is a part-time distance learning programme, designed to provide learners with the opportunity to achieve a minor award at Level 6 via flexible delivery methodologies and incorporating Work and Community based learning.
Depending on participant numbers and employment profile the programme will be fully funded by SkilllNets or available at minimal cost to the student.
Please come to our information day this Saturday, November 20th in the Blackwater Valley Learning Centre from 11-12.30 for further information.
