Healthy Mayo initiative is officially launched

THE launch of “Healthy Mayo” took place in Lough Lannagh Holiday Village, Castlebar, and it was attended by Minister for Health Promotion Catherine Byrne.

She was presented with a learning story by children from Curious Minds Playschool on “Lough Lannagh through the eyes of a child.” 

The children’s learning story tells us what they like about Lough Lannagh – being outside and ways Lough Lannagh can be improved – by reducing littering.

The Grainne Mhaol Dragon Boat Club also arranged a race for the Launch highlighting the many health benefits and uses of the Lough Lannagh facility which has been developed by Mayo County Council.  

A group from Mayo Sports Partnership’s Fit4Work initiative also participated in the launch.

County Mayo has joined the National Healthy Cities and Counties of Ireland Network.  The Healthy Cities project is a global World Health Organization (WHO) movement, set up in 1986. It involves Local Authorities working to improve health and wellbeing through political commitment, working in partnership with local stakeholders and supporting innovative projects.

The WHO European Healthy Cities projects’ main goal is to put health high on local authorities’ social, economic and political agendas. Health is the business of all sectors. Local Authorities have the power to protect and promote their citizens’ health and wellbeing. Health in this context includes economic and urban development, and regeneration.

A healthy city or county works to Improve health and wellbeing by creating and continually improving its physical and social environments, and develop community resources that help people to support each other and achieve their potential.

The application for Healthy Mayo was made by the Health and Wellbeing Subgroup of Mayo County Council Local Community Development Committee. Follow “Health Mayo” on Facebook and on Twitter @MayoHealthy. For further information contact Mayo County Council at (094) 9047028.