Healthy Ireland, A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025 is the national framework for action to improve the health and wellbeing of Ireland over the coming generation. Pobal administer this fund on behalf of the Department of Health.
The Department of Health have included Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSCs) as a support of implementing the programme through;
- Healthy Ireland strategic plans
- Local priorities for health and wellbeing
- Membership of Healthy Cities and Healthy Counties Network of Ireland (LCDCs only)
- For more information on the National funding Progamme please go to POBAL Healthy Ireland Portal LINK
The Dublin City South CYPSC Health & Wellbeing Plan identified a suite of strategic actions that reflect policy priorities identified in Healthy Ireland Strategy; Better Outcomes Brighter Futures and other related strategic policies. In order to meet the criteria for approval of funding each programme of work will be underpinned by the following principles:
- A targeted approach, to ensure a clear focus on supporting health and wellbeing of disadvantaged groups and communities, in order to address health inequalities;
- A partnership approach, to ensure effective involvement and co-ordination of relevant local stakeholders in the planning and delivery of actions;
- A focus on leverage, to ensure that the Healthy Ireland agenda is promoted within other funding programmes and local delivery mechanisms.
For a copy of the full DCS CYPSC H&W Strategy Implementation 2019 -2021 HERE
Dublin City South CYPSC & Ballyfermot Chapelizod Partnership (Family Matters)
Social Prescribing introduces the concept of non-medical interventions through linking referrals with a range of social, sports and community services. It can include a wide range of interventions from healthy eating (cookery, nutrition advice) to drama and arts activities. It is often related to physical activity involving referral to a range of traditional and non-traditional recreation, leisure and sports activities. It has been declared effective in reducing the dependence on the health system (less prescriptions, less GP visits) and facilitating positive health outcomes, though there are few systematic, wide-ranging studies of effectiveness. ‘Social Prescribing has shown very positive results for participants and other stakeholders. The structured way of supporting partnership between clinicians and the community has the potential to harness and nurture the good will that already exists between these partners. (Donegal Social Prescribing (18+) – Evaluation Report 2015. HSE)’
Dublin City South Healthy Ireland round 2 Funding - Schools project
HEALTHY IRELAND GRANT FUNDING FOR DUBLIN CITY SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOLS 2018
Following a successful application by our CYPSC to Healthy Ireland, a small grant was made available to purchase small scale equipment to support the implementation of the National Activity Plan thus increasing the promotion of skills development and the integration of exercise and physical activity into the school day. Resources were purchased by schools to engage an increased number of children in physical activity each day during school hours:t to heighten the awareness of the positive impact of physical fitness on both mental and physical health support teachers in the planning of additional physical activities during the school day and to support teachers in the integration of physical activities and skills development into cross curricular planning.
Other supports included
HSE -Health Promotion www.healthpromotion.ie (addition resources available to order)
Active School Flag website including materials to download
Dublin City Council Sports & Wellbeing Partnership
www.sportireland.ie
www.safefood.ie
Healthy Ireland Round 3
As part of the DCS CYPSC Healthy Ireland action with the Early Learning Initiative.
Early Learning Initiative (ELI)
Promoting parental engagement for mothers & fathers
Health and wellbeing programmes for disadvantaged communities that target parents but with specific recruitment strategies for fathers are limited across Ireland. Research is showing that father involvement has significant positive impact on a child’s learning and development, it is imperative that high-quality programmes are offered and delivered to fathers, particularly those who may already be experiencing disadvantage in other areas of their lives. By increasing father involvement, children will benefit from an increased positivity in their learning environments and may bridge the health inequality gap between disadvantaged and more affluent communities.
The Early Learning Initiative ELI worked with Dublin City South CYPSC to provide this health and wellbeing programme that will engage parents living in disadvantaged communities in the South City area. Activities will focus on promoting healthy attachment between mothers, fathers and their children in order to encourage positive parental involvement from an early age through
- Baby massage – father involvement
- Baby and Toddler Yoga
- Father involvement events
- Baby weaning booklets and information sessions
- Continued professional development ELI Staff
- Research and evaluation
FULL REPORT AVAILABLE HERE
A baby nutrition booklet was produced to support weaning/ baby food preparation.
Copy available HERE
Trianing in the Practice of Theraplay
This action delivered 5 x 3-day Group training programme in the licenced practice of THERAPLAY© with community services in the Dublin South City area. The Practice of Theraplay© is a child and family therapy for building and enhancing attachment, self-esteem, trust in others, and joyful engagement. It is based on the natural patterns of playful, healthy interaction between parent and child and is personal, physical, and fun. The training includes 2 hours post training -supervision (per group) on the implementation of the practice. There was an adaptation to this training which delivered the classic 2-day Group Theraplay training programme with an added a bespoke 3rd day that would speak directly to the experience of homelessness as a trauma.
Group Theraplay Programme: Creating Cooperation, Connection and Community for Children in Groups
Group Theraplay training is for professionals who want to use Theraplay in classrooms, day care, residential settings or with family groups.
A Theraplay Group is an adult-directed, structured play group that incorporates playful, cooperative and nurturing activities that enhance the emotional well-being of children. Unlike other play group approaches, Theraplay learning takes place on a non-verbal level. Instead of talking about positive social behaviour, the group leaders and children DO positive social interaction. Positive messages from the group interaction gradually become a part of the child’s internal sense of self.