The Kilkenny Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), proudly hosted a visit from Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing & the National Drugs Strategy, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, T.D. at the Newpark Family Resource Centre, Kilkenny City, to highlight the impactful work supported through Healthy Ireland funding.
Under the warm welcome of An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Michael Doyle and Mayor of Kilkenny Municipal District, Cllr Joe Malone, attendees were greeted to an inspiring showcase of community-driven health initiatives. Cllr Michael Doyle emphasised the commitment of Kilkenny County Council and its Elected Members to promote a healthier community for all ages saying: “Our mission is to get the Healthy Ireland message into our communities, making Kilkenny a healthier place to live, work, and play.”
Mary Mescal, Chair of Kilkenny LCDC, talked about ‘’the collaborative effort among voluntary, community, and statutory organisations to build healthy and resilient communities, exemplified through the Healthy Ireland Programme in Kilkenny’’.
Minister Hildegarde Naughton highlighted the diverse range of initiatives under the Healthy Ireland Programme 2023-2025, addressing the needs of targeted communities, young people, individuals living with disabilities, the Travelling Community, and One-Parent Families. Among the showcased initiatives were adult cycling programs, the first ‘Cycle to School Bus’ with St. John’s Primary School, Social Farming Placements, tailored physical activity initiatives for individuals with disabilities, and youth exercise interventions in North Kilkenny. The Newpark Family Resource Centre’s Health Needs Profile aims to identify community health needs and develop responsive strategies in collaboration with local services.
Kilkenny-One Parent Community’s volunteer-led network provides crucial support for one-parent families, ensuring their voices are heard. Additionally, health and wellbeing awareness programs targeting the Travelling Community and Continuous Professional Development initiatives for community professionals and volunteers are made possible through Healthy Ireland Funding.
A new innovative initiative, ‘Urban Action Against Cancer Prevention,’ was launched by Minister Naughton at Newpark Mesh Park. This European intersectoral initiative promotes physical activity for adults and senior citizens in urban green spaces as a tool for cancer prevention. The Urban
Outdoor Physical Activity Programmes, led by local physiotherapists, will commence in March at Mesh Park & the Gaol Road in Kilkenny, benefiting adults over 50, including people living with cancer and cancer survivors.
Minister Naughton said “It was enriching to see and hear about all the fantastic initiatives on offer in Kilkenny and to see the magic of collaborative working between all the agencies with the shared objective to support and improve the Health and Wellbeing across the county. I was particularly excited to help launch the UcanACT project which represents real progress in the area of promoting physical activity as an important lifestyle behaviour for health and wellbeing, disease prevention and overall a good quality of life. It is fantastic to see these cancer-specific physical activity programs across three territories in Europe: Kilkenny (Ireland)Bologna (Italy), and Munich (Germany).”
