Healthy Streets Carlow programme for Children and Families.
Funded through the Health Ireland Initiative in 2017, a ‘pilot’ Healthy Streets Carlow programme for children and Families was developed in collaboration with the Children and Young Peoples Service Committee (CYPSC) Carlow – Health and Well-bring Sub group as a pilot initiative. The evidence- based research undertaken by Doctor. Ann Marie Bennett, Trinity College Dublin highlighted very positive outcomes for Parents and children following completion of the programme.
Healthy Streets is a ten- week health and well-being programme for Parents and children who are at ‘risk’, experience poverty and barriers to a healthy lifestyle. The ten- week programme is delivered in the families own local community and/or street. The programme is co-ordinated by Health Facilitators who work with and support the Parents to engage and participate twice weekly, once a week to undertake the ‘Cook It’ programme as well as participating in Nutrition workshops, facilitated by a Nutritionist. The ‘Cook It’ programme is supported by the Health promotion The second part of the week, the families participate in physical health and well-bring workshops, build family relationships and learn new exercise skills for undertaking as a family both outdoors and indoors.
The Health Streets programme was delivered to a total of 30 families (Approximately 50 children) in Bagenalstown, Tullow, and Carlow town. The initiative was hosted by three organisations: Bagenalstown Family Resource Centre (FRC), Forward Steps FRC and St. Catherines, Carlow. A further Healthy Streets Programme was delivered between 2018/19 in three different targeted geographic areas in Co. Carlow by the above three organisations.
Our vision is that all children, families, individuals, and communities will actively participate and be included in a society that is equal, equitable, inclusive, and non-discriminatory and which will enable their optimal well-being.
