On Wednesday 7th June I was invited up to facilitate a Craft Workshop for the Youghal Carers’ Group by Nicola Lucey, Community Health Worker for the Youghal Community Health Project. The Youghal Community Health Project is a community based health and social gain initiative and is managed by a local multi-agency committee including RAPID, Youghal Residents Network, Youthreach, Community Representatives and the HSE Community Work Department. The aim of the YCHP is to improve the quality of life for local people through better access to community health supports, information, services and activities.
The three main areas of focus are Family Health, Wellbeing & Lifestyle and Health Information & Advocacy. One of the fantastic services that Nicola organises under Wellbeing and Lifestyle is the Youghal Carers’ Group. The aim of this Group is to provide space and time for Carers to relax with a cup of tea and a chat and enjoy some fun activities. As well as Arts and Crafts, Nicola organises many more activities for the Carers’ Group including First Aid, Manual Handling, Stress Management, Relaxation and Self Care, Nutrition Workshops, Team Building Exercises and Social Outings. Carers are also offered advice, information and support and are kept up to date on matters relating to them as a Carer.
The wonderful ladies of the Carers’ Group meet on the first Wednesday of every month at the Family Resource Centre in Blackwater Heights, Youghal and I was only delighted to be included in their June meeting. It was such a lovely, relaxed evening and I thoroughly enjoyed being in the company of all these friendly and caring people! I was also very impressed by their crafting skills and loved how each Flower Pot was uniquely painted. I might have been there to inspire them but I think they inspired me a whole lot more!
Speaking of Inspiring Ladies, the YCHP is staffed by just one full time Community Health Worker which is Nicola and she does absolutely amazing work for our Community. As well as the Carers’ Group, other Wellbeing and Lifestyle services include a weekly wellness walking group called Happy Feet, a 6 week nutrition education programme called Cook It, Low Cost Counselling, Massage Therapy, Play Therapy, Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing Programmes and Workshops and the Youghal Social Cafe – a monthly social event for local people living with memory loss.
Under Health Information and Advocacy, information and support through the process of the national screening programme is provided and also training on specific health related topics is delivered throughout the year.
Family Health Services include Tiny Tots – a weekly social group for Parents and Babies aged 0-1 years, Clap Handies – a weekly social group for Parents and Babies/Toddlers aged 0-3, Bright Sparks – a learning through play programme for parents and toddlers aged 1-3 years, Build it Buddies – a 6 week lego programme for children aged 6-10 years, a 5 week Baby Massage Programme, Parenting Programmes, Paediatric First Aid Workshops and Family Fun Days!
Nicola and everyone involved in the Youghal Community Health Project are such a credit to the town of Youghal and with the support of all the Volunteers who generosity give their time, we are extremely lucky to have these services and activities available to us locally.
If you would like to get involved in this fantastic initiative, please contact Nicola on 086 4668484 or send an email to youghalcommunityhealth@hotmail.com
Thanks for stopping by x
Jessica