The Urban Action Against Cancer (UcanACT) pilot project, aimed at promoting physical activity for cancer prevention in urban green spaces, has been shortlisted as a finalist under the category of ‘’Community Wellbeing – Collaboration and Leadership’’ for the 2025 LAMA Awards. Developed under the EU Erasmus+ programme with co-funding from the EU Commission, UcanACT has brought an innovative approach to enhancing physical activity and health opportunities in the outdoors.
Over the past three years, Kilkenny County Council has collaborated with physiotherapists, the HSE, and academic institutions across Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The UcanACT project, led locally by Kilkenny County Council, recently implemented a successful pilot physical activity programme in parks in the Kilkenny City area with over 50 citizens participating. The programmes included Physiotherapist-led exercise programmes tailored for adults over 50, designed as a cancer prevention tool. As part of the pilot project a Physical Activity App and Citizen Engagement Strategy were developed to enhance participation and outreach. The UcanACT project exemplifies innovation in promoting health and physical activity opportunities outdoors, demonstrating leadership and collaboration in community wellbeing across Europe.
Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Michael McCarthy said
“The Council are delighted that this project was shortlisted for the LAMA Awards and it is great to raise awareness of this wonderful project. We look forward to sharing our findings, which we hope will inspire future health initiatives in Ireland and across Europe.”
The Kilkenny Countryside Park, at Dunmore, was also shortlisted for an award under the “Best Environmental/Ecological/Project Initiative”. This park, which opened in late 2023, saw the development of a new large-scale amenity on the site of the closed municipal landfill, located just 5km north of Kilkenny City centre. The new park, extends to 24 acres and offers visitors the opportunity to immerse in a natural biodiversity rich setting while utilising the many recreational options available. These include three themed activity trails, two ball walls, a bespoke viewing area, play and exercise equipment, novel relaxing spaces that include hammocks and loungers, along with Kilkenny’s first dedicated dog-friendly enclosure. The Park is sustainably managed without the use of chemicals and provides for a diverse range of species rich habitats from wild flower meadows to mature hedgerows.
Mayor of Kilkenny City, Cllr. Andrew McGuinness expressing his delight said
“It’s a wonderful achievement for the Park to be shortlisted for an All-Ireland Community and Council LAMA Award, it demonstrates the importance of outdoor recreation amenity spaces for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing. I’m also particularly delighted about the ethos of the new Park in terms of the preservation, enhancement and awareness of the importance of biodiversity to society.”
Contact:
Urban Action Against Cancer: Janette Boran, Kilkenny Co. Council; Janette.boran@kilkennycoco.ie
Kilkenny Countryside Park: Frank Stafford, Kilkenny Co. Council: frank.stafford@kilkennycoco.ie
