As the line in the song say’s ‘let’s get physical’.
Well the men of the traveling community are certainly leading the way. We all approach the new year with great hope and expectations regarding our fitness and overall health and well being.
The traveling community is leading the way with the support of the Kilkenny traveller health care project. It is operated under Kilkenny Leader Partnership.
The Men have certainly hit the ground running in 2024.
Since early January the men have taken part in a health and fitness programme which take’s place in the neighbourhood hall in the butt’s community on Thursdays from 10.00 am to 12.00pm.
The health project would like to thank Jenny and her team for the ongoing support with the access to Neighbourhood Hall.
The men meet weekly for the two-hour time slot under the designed programme. The first hour of the fitness programme is a warm up, followed by a circuit training routine.
The second hour consists of a healthy cooking programme focusing on healthy nutrition, proteins, carbs, fibre, sugars, and the impact they play on the body.
One of the weeks’ sessions was a swim in the watershed which was enjoyed by all.
Another week the group went for a walk highlighting the importance of the outdoors and the benefits of movement for mood.
This health and fitness programme is open to all men from the travelling community in the county of Kilkenny.
The programme is co-ordinated and facilitated by the traveller men’s health worker Paul Clifford.
There is great craic and banter in the group and there is always time for the cup of tea, stressing that the social activity is every bit as important as the physical activity.
The men are hands on planning and prepping and cooking their healthy meals with the support of the traveller family link worker Siobhan Mahony.
The progamme was shaped by the men, from conversations with them which started at a Men’s Day event held in the Hoban hotel just before the Christmas.
If any member of the travelling community would like any support in any area of health, you can contact the Kilkenny health project by dropping in for a ‘cuppa’ at the office or make contact using the details below.
The offices for the Kilkenny traveller health project are in the
The Light House,
Coach Road,
Kilkenny.
Postcode R95TWYO
Traveller Health Project manager Catherine Lennon
Phone 0863241571 email catherine.lennon@cklp.ie
Traveller Men’s health worker Paul Clifford
Phone 0861917196 email paul.cliffford@cklp.ie
Traveller parent link worker Siobhan Mahony
Phone 0861027440 email Siobhan.mahony@cklp.ie
