Local community projects from disadvantaged areas have received a welcome cash boost this week due to a new Northern Ireland Executive public health strategy.

In all 26 grant awards under the ‘Investing for Healthier Communities Grant Programme,’ which aims to bring health standards in the province up to European levels, were announced by the Health minister Bairbre de Brún, on Wednesday April 17.

“Local communities have a key role to play in developing the strategy,” the Health Minister said at the award ceremony in the Wolfhill Centre, Ligoniel.

“These projects are excellent examples of this community-led involvement and action that the Executive hopes to see develop and expand in the coming years,” said the Minister.

Outlining the aim of the Grant Programme, Ms de Brún said: “It is intended to encourage the active participation of local people, particularly those from the most disadvantaged areas and groups. One of the key aims of ‘Investing for Health’ strategy is to enable people in their own communities to play a greater part in setting priorities for improvements to the many factors affecting their health and well-being at a local level.

“We must address the wide range of social and environmental factors which impact on health and well-being, by involving local communities in identifying the solutions which will work best for the people they represent. This programme has provided us with an excellent opportunity to do this.

Among the groups set to benefit are: Women & Family Health Initiative; Conservation Volunteers “Green Gym”; Playboard “Out to Play”; Ligoniel Family Centre; and The Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust.

(AMcE)