The fifth annual Belfast Healthy Cities awards ceremony took place this week and Lord Mayor Nuala McAllister was on hand to pay tribute to the organisations which entered the competitive process. The awards were open to all sectors and entrants included public bodies, voluntary and community based organisations and private sector companies.
Entries were invited across four categories, Promoting Health Equity, Healthy Living, Healthy Places and Engaging for Change.
PROMOTING HEALTH EQUITY
This award highlights programmes and activities that aim to tackle inequalities in the city including addressing issues such as: socio-economic deprivation; fuel poverty; food poverty; the needs of vulnerable and marginalised groups; health promotion initiatives and tackling age or lifestyle related inequalities.
Winner
Windsor Women’s Centre - Spring into Action
Highly Commended
Bridge of Hope - Bridge of Hope Wellbeing Services
New Lodge Duncairn Community Health Partnership - Supporting Families North Belfast
ENGAGING FOR CHANGE
This award focused on projects or initiatives that work directly with people to empower them to take control of improving their own health and wellbeing. Initiatives demonstrate the application of active engagement processes to involve and retain participants. They show how they make use of the assets that exist to improve health within the community and are likely to have involved collaboration or partnership approaches.
Joint Winners
Hosford – East Belfast Mission - Hosford Projects
South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust and Northern Ireland Prison Service - People Not Prisoners
Highly Commended
East Belfast Community Development Agency and Eastside Arts - East Belfast Pop Up People’s Pharmacy
Nexus NI - Nexus NI Client Forum project
HEALTHY PLACES
This award is presented to a programme or initiative that has significantly contributed to supporting good health through creating supportive and healthy places for people.
Winner
Radius Housing - Sliabh Dubh Play and Recreation Space
Highly Commended
The Consumer Council - Transport Access Audits project
HEALTHY LIVING
This award recognises achievement in healthy living; leisure and sporting activities including dance; active and healthy travel including cycling and walking initiatives; volunteering; and heritage and environmental programmes.
Joint Winners
Lagan Dragons Dragon Boat Club - Introducing people who have been affected by breast cancer to the physical and emotional health benefits of dragon-boating project
Intelligent Health - Beat the Street Northern Ireland
Highly Commended
The Conservation Volunteers - Dig it and Eat it!