Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan TD, launched the first Sláintecare Healthy Community in Bray, Co. Wicklow on Friday 3rd June 2022.
Sláintecare Healthy Communities is a cross-Government initiative to deliver increased health and wellbeing services to 19 community areas across Ireland. This programme will be delivered locally in Bray in partnership with the HSE, Wicklow County Council, statutory and voluntary and community groups such as Bray Area Partnership.
A once off total fund of €250,000 has been made available. The focus of this fund, the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Community Enhancement Scheme, is to support projects through Wicklow County Council that will positively impact on the health and wellbeing of those who live within the Bray area. This enhancement fund will enable various projects such as the installation of three community kitchens, which will facilitate the delivery of healthy eating and cookery courses.
Bray Area Partnership is one of the community groups that will be providing a range of services in the local area, such as QUIT smoking, Parenting Programmes, Healthy Food Made Easy and Social Prescribing. Better access to these services will help improve and promote healthier lifestyle behaviours with the aim of supporting the community’s wellbeing.
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD said:
"Bray is the first of the Sláintecare Health Communities local launches to take place. The Healthy Communities programme will support not only the physical and mental health of the people of Bray; but will also support improvement in the wider determinants of health such as in education, social support and the built environment. These locally commissioned community partners who have an existing reach and engagement into the Bray community will be a key asset to the programme as they are already imbedded into your community. Taking an evidence-based approach, this work will build on existing health and wellbeing programmes in the Bray community and mobilise available resources to address local needs.”