East Belfast Community Development Agency

EBCDA's Health Development and Connections Programme collaborated with the Regional Alliance of Health Living Centre’s to organise a 'Health Promotion Clinic' in Connswater Shopping Centre on Wednesday 24 March 2010.

It highlighted shared work between the Heart Healthy Living Centre from West Belfast, New Life Counselling, Ardoyne and Shankill Health Living Centre from North Belfast and along with the Belfast Health Trust Health Improvement Team, the Ulster Cancer Foundation provided over 120 medical checks for cholesterol and blood pressure, massage therapy, podiatry advice, beauty treatment advice from Boots, counselling information, nutrition advice, dental hygiene and signposting information, in addition to women’s mammogram sessions and health checks provided by Action Cancer Big Bus.

Through these collaborations between the community, voluntary, statutory and private sectors over 250 people benefited from free access to health services to help improve health in east Belfast.

Visit www.heartprojectbelfast.com, www.youthcounsellingbelfast.com, www.ashlc.com

for more information.

EBCDA's Health Development and Connections Programme organised a 'Tea Dance' in Orangefield Presbyterian Church Hall on Friday 26 March 2010.

Taking part were members of local Community and Day Centre's; Age Concern, Mullan Mews, Henderson's Court, Sydenham Court, Greenville Court, Connswater Community Centre, Dee Street Community Centre, Knocknagoney Community Centre and Belmont Belles.   Leading the line dancing was Sally Maxwell and members of Ballyoran Old Time Dance Group. 

More than 60 people put on their dancing shoes for an afternoon of cream tea and dance.  A lively afternoon was had by all, with everyone entering into the spirit of the dance with plenty of movement and exercise.  With the help of a professional dance instructor Drew and his lively music, he made sure couples waltzed across the dance floor during the three hour event.

Evaluations branded the session a huge success.  There was overwhelming support for more regular sessions to help improve the physical and mental wellbeing of older people, providing a social outlet for people to meet together from different communities.

EBCDA's Health Development and Connections Programme collaborated with the Wise Men of the East Network (WMEN) to facilitate a workshop on the 'Making of Men' in Dee Street Community Centre on Thursday 25 March 2010.

Men's role in the community is often defined in very negative terms but as the contributions from local men's groups showed there is now an increase in the number of men prepared to also highlight their shared positive work.  Collaborations  between  local community men's groups, the voluntary and academic sector, to dialogue over health issues and improve access to services is going on at an impressive level in east Belfast.

Dr Ken Harland from the University of Ulster outlined how the way society is structured around the economic value of individuals has disadvantaged men with the disappearance a community 'rites of passage' so necessary for men to grow and development as emotionally mature members of society.   He posed a number of reflective questions and facilitated discussions, providing examples of how the mortality and morbidity of men is in freefall.  Men clearly enjoyed reflecting on images of Belfast heroes and villains describing as it did the ever changing and shifting role men have played in the past and the present.

Evaluations of the session demonstrated a need to the WMEN to continue this dialogue and to provide opportunities for groups to be supported effectively to become mentors in their community.

Visit www.wise-men.org.uk/ for more information.

An event was held at Avoniel Leisure Centre Wednesday 20^th January 2010 as part of the Fit Futures programme and was launched by Robin Newton, Junior Minister. This event was co-ordinated by the Health Development & Connections Team in EBCDA. It involved joint working with the 4 local cluster schools – Elmgrove, Nettlefield, Avoniel and Beechfield Primary Schools, Belfast City Council and Avoniel Leisure Centre. The day started with an Athletics Morning inviting other primary schools to compete with a total of 120 children taking part. This was followed by a Health Information Afternoon which was a great success with approximately 500 people attending on the day. The adults thoroughly enjoyed the pamper section availing of Massage Treatments, Hairdressing & Turkish Shaves, whilst the children had a great time with the magician, balloon modelling and face painting and trampoline.