Westmeath Community Development receive health promotion accreditation

Westmeath Community Development (WCD) received the "Health Promoting Organisation" accreditation from HSE Health Promotion Service in Dublin Mid Leinster. Linda-Jo Quinn and Hubert Rooney, completed the NUIG Specialist Certificate in Health Promotion for Community Development Settings. As part of the course they developed a "Health Promoting Organisation Strategy" in consultation with staff and clients. The initiative supports community organisations to actively promote health and well-being and to develop and implement a comprehensive Health Promotion plan for their organisation. This holistic health plan describes how WCD can support both the health of its workers and those who attend its services. It includes a range of actions such as health education and health promotion programmes, developing and reviewing health policies, improving the space that people work and meet in and building links with families and communities. The HSE training programme, developed in conjunction with NUI Galway, provides workers and volunteers with a solid foundation for promoting health in a more proactive and holistic way. It provides the knowledge, skills and expertise to develop health promotion programmes and policies based on evidence and good practice.