I am delighted to be part of an active voluntary community organisation in the North East who are hosting a Coffee Morning on Wednesday, June 4th, 2025. They are launching their six-month community well-being plan, exploring the “Five Ways to Well-Being”. The group’s vision is to Connect Well at a grassroots level to promote the creation of safe spaces where people can connect in shared interests for better health and wellbeing – connecting well with self, creativity, past, healthy ways of living, nature and each other. They have developed multiple interest groups, including a large open group that meets the same day every week, where they host and facilitate a full day of movement and social creative meetups. Their weekly events include nature-based activities like walks & garden visits, monthly book club meetings, seasonal Adult Educational Training Board classes, health talks, skills share, and cookery demonstrations. Financial support, like the HSE Lottery Fund, helps the group plan without the stress of fundraising. They have more freedom to book spaces and facilitators to run various events each week, giving people more choices and opportunities in connection. This reduces barriers to connection, time, commitment and costs that affect participation in community wellbeing events. Adults are welcome to drop in and connect at this weekly open day, where booking is NOT essential for most events.
Over the last 6 years, this local grassroots group has developed, supported by community volunteers, an array of initiatives like Get Ireland Walking, Adult Education & Training Board classes, Sports Partnership, as well as community development supports from local County Council and Community Development organisations who have assisted over the years as the group’s capacity has grown. Community-based funding gives community organisations more capacity and creativity, reducing the financial burden of running costs like rent. Support like this helps create more long-standing, sustainable connections and opportunities to deliver on community aims, connecting across communities, breaking down barriers to connection all year round, and improving health and wellbeing for many people who take part.
On June 4th, they will be joined by guest speakers representing the New Script for Mental Health Campaign in Belfast. https://madinireland.com/2025/02/new-script-for-mental-health-campaign-steps-to-a-wellbeing-rights-framework/ The New Script for Mental Health Campaign will speak from an individual and systemic perspective regarding mental health, talking about the five steps to well-being in the context of community advocacy and outlining their Give 5 Steps to Wellbeing Rights Framework. Attendees will also experience the weekly “Wells of Connection” activity.
Connect Well
Connect more dots, create stepping stones and pathways to better health and wellbeing, and help create a clearer vision regarding community initiatives that support health and wellbeing.
Connect Well
The 4th of June is a key opportunity to connect with the group and its projects. Learn about their cross-border projects and help develop momentum together for better health and well-being. There will also be a chance to listen to speakers and network. The day will close with a local garden visit and a walk (optional) after 2 p.m. Come along and “Connect Well” with individuals and organisations to help improve health for all individuals in our communities.
Connect Well
With momentum building across our community and other community initiatives, it is hoped that the Connect Well model of sustainable, integrated engagement can empower more people at a grassroots level to grow connections in shared interests.
Connect Well
Only by reflecting on past systems, beliefs, and old paradigms can we listen and speak with insight into the barriers to connection and the problems with current systems. To support bottom-up community development, take action now in your own community by creating social connections. This approach is very different from the top-down initiative that has been rolled out all over Ireland called “social prescribing”.
To visit the Wells of Connection event on June 4th, contact this community in Louth for more information on the event details, or to learn more about this community development approach.
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