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Outer East Health Projects

Health ProjectsOuter East Health Development & Connections Programme

East Belfast Community Development Agency (EBCDA) Health Development & Connections Programme works in partnership with other services providers to build the capacity of local people to take action to improve their own health and make better lifestyle choices.

The programme seeks to support local individuals, groups and community workers to engage in improving the health of others with a focus on working within disadvantaged areas in East Belfast.

Connections are built upon at a strategic level with a vast array of agencies, organisations and service deliverers.  This partnership way of working not only involves local people but workers from the statutory, voluntary and faith based sectors.  In addition, the importance of building relationships with local volunteers and supporting their involvement provides a more collaborative way of working.

The EBCDA Health Team provides holistic locally based activities and gender-specific interventions to enable individuals to come together to raise awareness, learn new skills and enable them to make better informed choices in relation to their health for themselves, their families and ultimately their community.

Through the delivery of tailored health-related workshops, programmes and events on the themes of healthy minds, bodies, hearts, relationships and communities the programme contributes to reducing inequalities in health and has ensured that opportunities for local health issues specific to East Belfast can be explored and addressed.  The work of the programme helps to build up core skill strengths for individuals and groups and brings improved understanding of inequalities in health to the wider community with a view to long term health improvement.  Below is some information about the past work, current work and planned work of the programme in Outer East Belfast.

Past

Lay Health Information Workers

Networking meetings between Short Strand Community Centre and Ballybeen Ballyoran Centre
Good practice visits to Peninsula HLC, EBP, Ballyoran, Short Strand, M. Sheehan Centre, Bogside HLC, FallsSuicide Support Group, Ardoyne HLC, Cuan FM
Celebration of volunteer event funded by BCC

Physical Health

EPAC grant delivered programme of activity for men
CTA grant delivered cycling event and meeting with Lord Mayor, production of safety leaflets in two languages
Active Belfast grant delivered setting up of Bikeway East cycling group and the delivery of weekly cycling outings

Wise Men of the East Network

Support for monthly meetings
Recruitment of men for the Public Health Agency to PR AAA screening
Networking events at Longfellow Bar and Belfast Barge
Support provided to develop script and workshops to produce evaluation DVD and launch
Exchange meetings with IFI Sligo/Clasp Men's Shed
Updating of website

Men's Evening Health Checks Clinic

Fortnightly clinics at Holywood Arches Health Centre
Satisfaction and exit surveys completed
Community Clinics completed in Short Strand Community Centre
Assessment completed for members of walking group

Belfast Health Trust Men's Health Group

Quarterly information sharing meetings
Organised two activities for Belfast City Hall event for men during men’s health week
Completion of research quota into the health status of men

Belfast Volunteer Now Older Men's Group

Attend quarterly information sharing meetings
Supported successful grant application and the production of evaluation DVD

Patient Client Council

Consultation on District Nursing
Advocacy and information sharing on pain relief services

Health week

Indoor Bowling event for men at Belfast Indoor Bowling Centre

Ardcarn

Delivered publicity, obtained funding, organised eight events and supported the development of Ardcarn Men’s Group Management Committee

Ballybeen

Sharing of information with Enler Centre, Ballyoran Centre and MMG group
Delivered health stand and quiz for community event
Delivered women’s stress buster sessions, first aid, and mental health first aid to Ballyoran Centre

Bloomfield

Delivered Community Health Fair in collaboration with Community Association.

Braniel

Delivered Community Health Fair in collaboration with Primary School and Association Health sub group

Carew II

Health Event delivered to men and followed up with support for a 3 week Centre programme
Organised weekly gardening sessions in community garden and received award from BCC

Clarawood

Delivered Arts Cultural Event and Health Fair in collaboration with Tenants Association 50+ Club

Cregagh

Support quarterly Interagency meetings
Support for CRAG Men’s Group

Knocknagoney

Delivered Family Health Fair in collaboration with Primary School
Sharing of information with Community Centre
Support for Knights Men’s Group

Current

Physical Activity

Bikeway East Cycle Club weekly cycle activity and support for membership structure
Application to BCC Small Grants for project at Victoria Park
Weekly gardening sessions at Carew Family Centre community garden

Wise Men of the East Network

Support for monthly meetings
Support for grant application to deliver workshops for isolated men
Facilitated discussions about Men’s Shed project
Updating of website

Men’s Evening Health Checks Clinic

Network Centre Clinics, advertising, and appointments
Allocation of monthly clinic to Inner East Youth Project

Belfast Health Trust Men's Health Group

Quarterly information sharing meetings
Organise activities for Belfast City Hall event for men during Men’s Health Week
Produce action plan following results of bespoke research into health status of men

Belfast Volunteer Now Older Men's Group

Attend quarterly information sharing meetings
Share information with QUB researchers into the needs of older men

Patient Client Council

Respond to membership opportunities

Health Week

Health week networking and healthy hearts event at the Cregagh British Legion

Volunteers

Tasks undertaken - publicity, registration, evaluation, signposting, info stands
Support provided and opportunities shared

Ardcarn

Sharing of information with Ardcarn Men’s Group

Ballybeen

Sharing of information with local Community Centres

Braniel

Building on the contacts and service providers from the first Community Health Fair and prepare information for the second Community Health Fair

Carew II

Organised weekly gardening sessions, obtained support from NIHE and BCC and recruited new members
Assist with physical activity fund raising opportunity

Clarawood

Delivered all age physical activity event and mental health awareness session

Cregagh

Support quarterly Interagency meetings
Support for CRAG Men’s Group

Knocknagoney

Sharing of information with Community Centre and Aslan Centre
Support for Knights Men’s Group

Tullycarnet

Health event delivered in collaboration with Vintage Club Family Services
Physical activity event delivered in coloration with local men’s groups and CBC
Support for Wisecrackers Men’s Group

Future

Physical Activity

Bikeway East Cycle Club weekly cycle activity, progress membership structure, support charity event
Deliver project at Victoria Park during Men’s Health Week
Support for weekly gardening sessions at Carew Family Centre community garden
Promote activities as part of community prescribing alternatives to prescription drugs

Wise Men of the East Network

Support for monthly meetings
Develop workshop programme and support the delivery of sessions to isolated men on approval of grant
Identify venues for Men’s Shed Project
Updating of website

Evening Health Checks Clinic

Plan follow up including Case Finding structure that is inclusive of men
Collaborate with GEMS and Benefits and Jobs Agency to promote service

Belfast Health Trust Men's Health Group

Quarterly information sharing meetings
Evaluate Belfast City Hall event and make recommendations
Deliver appropriate actions following results of bespoke research

Belfast Volunteer Now Older Men's Group

Attend quarterly information sharing meetings
Support researcher with information about east
Share information and results of research

Patient Client Council

Respond to membership opportunities
Link into Area Committee structure

Health Week

Evaluate Healthy Hearts event at the Cregagh British Legion

Volunteers

Tasks undertaken - publicity, registration, evaluation, signposting, info stands
Promote Advocacy Training
Support with information and opportunities

Ardcarn

Share information with individual men and connect them into events and meetings
Connect with Health Framework theme

Ballybeen

Share information with local Community Centres

Braniel

Deliver Community Health Fair and  connect with Health Framework theme

Carew II

Support for weekly gardening sessions in community garden and workshops

Clarawood

Share information with Oak Partnership groups

Cregagh

Support Interagency meetings
Support for CRAG Men’s Group
Connect with Health Framework theme

Knocknagoney

Share information with Community Centre and Aslan Centre
Support for Knights Men’s Group
Connect with Health Framework theme

Tullycarnet

Develop ideas with centre staff based on need and support from Council
Support for Wisecrackers men’s group
Connect with Health Framework theme