Minister Commends Woodlands Beacon Centre

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Michelle O’Neill, has visited Woodlands Beacon Centre in Cookstown.

Beacon provides a range of mental health and social care services that are based on personalisation and recovery. Woodlands Beacon Centre provides structured day support and promotes positive mental health within the community, facilitating the individual’s recovery.

Speaking after the visit she said: "I commend Beacon for the excellent work they are doing in our local rural communities. I learned today about the wide range of activities carried out at the centre, from woodcraft to computer skills and adult literacy. Activities are not limited to the centre, there are varied outreach trips, including trips to places of scenic beauty or historical interest and visits to the theatre.

"Care at the centre is based upon individually assessed needs and this really came across when I spoke to Beacon members, with each having a different story to tell about how the centre has helped them."

The Minister added that her Department is committed to tackling social isolation and promoting integration within rural communities. She said: "DARD provides funding to Rural Support which provides a listening ear for farmers and rural dwellers in times of need and are looking at ways we can further collaborate with Beacon, possibly through the forthcoming Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Framework. DARD is working with the Public Health Agency on proposals to roll out community based ‘health checks’ in rural areas which will provide advice to rural dwellers on a range of health issues, including mental health."

(GK)