Community Planning Partnership Committed to Achieving Health and Wellbeing Outcomes for the District

Newry, Mourne and Down Community Planning Partnership was delighted to host the Living Well Together: Health and Wellbeing Thematic Summit on Thursday 26 October in the Canal Court Hotel.

The Summit brought together key stakeholders from across the Council’s Community Planning Partnership, Statutory bodies, members of the Community and Voluntary Sector Strategic Stakeholder Forum and local elected representatives, who share a passion for improving health and wellbeing across Newry, Mourne and Down.

Host for the Summit was freelance broadcaster and champion of local voices and stories, Lynette Faye. During the day a line-up of engaging speakers, case studies and workshops on the latest developments and emerging trends in health and wellbeing were carefully delivered to help attendees identify the most pressing priorities for the Partnership to deliver in the coming year.

Keynote speaker for the event was Catherine Murnin, Director of The Wellbeing Pathway. Catherine has 20 years’ experience in leadership and health and wellbeing practice. She delivered a motivational speech to guests on Wellbeing in our Communities, discussing ‘What do Healthy Communities Look Like?’. Catherine shared conversations and observations around the power of connections and how health and wellbeing is about people, not job titles or projects. She invited everyone to think about the narrative they use every day that affects health and wellbeing outcomes in the places where we live, work and learn together.

Lynette Faye then facilitated a series of round table discussions with Catherine Murnin and an inspirational panel of speakers from across the Health and Wellbeing sector, including specialists from the Public Health Agency, the Department of Health, Department of Education and the Southern and the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trusts. 

Newry, Mourne and Down Community Planning Partnership Chairperson, Nicholas McCrickard said, “The health service in Northern Ireland is undoubtedly under immense pressure. However, there are many areas of the health service which can be improved with the active involvement of the community and voluntary sectors.

“Attendees had the opportunity to discuss key themes of interest to the sector with the Health and Wellbeing Panel, who hope to use the feedback to shape their work going forward.  We envisage that the conversations started, and the insights shared today, will inform both the development and implementation of key regional strategies for many years to come.”

Speaking about how Community Planning is intrinsically linked to the Council’s Corporate Plan, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valerie Harte said, “The Community Plan touches on every aspect of the Council’s Corporate Plan, which outlines how the Council will further develop our area and enhance the reputation of our district as a great place to live, work and visit. Continuing to improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in the district and reduce health inequalities is listed as one of the Council’s eight strategic objectives. 

“The Summit provided the perfect platform to inspire new synergies, solutions and strategies to instigate action that will address health inequalities within Newry, Mourne and Down, as identified in the Community Plan to 2023.  This has been a fantastic event and demonstrates how the Community Plan partners are committed to playing a full and active role in delivering health and wellbeing outcomes for the district.”

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council CEO, Marie Ward said, “With the ongoing challenges facing our communities, it is vitally important that all agencies and community voluntary organisations work together to meet our community’s needs. This summit is a vital phase of the Community Planning process as it helps statutory, community and voluntary health and wellbeing partners to identify and where possible, to help deliver solutions to these difficult issues.”

Talks from Statutory and Community Partners included: ‘Role of Community Planning in Health and Wellbeing’; ‘Current Health Data for Newry, Mourne and Down; ‘Integrated Care System’; ‘Multi-Disciplinary Teams’; ‘Physical Education in the Primary Curriculum; and ‘Promoting Wellbeing in Partnership’.

This summit will provide important feedback to the Community Planning Partnership as they develop a Health and Wellbeing action plan going forward.