A NEW initiative that aims to empower communities to reduce the risk of cancer is currently taking place in the north inner city.
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Christy Burke, recently attended the Irish Cancer Society’s Fit for Work and Life Programme in the North Wall area.
The pilot programme, which is being offered in partnership with the North Wall Community Development Project and is kindly supported by Bord Gáis, aims to empower individuals and communities to make simple lifestyle choices which can reduce their risk of cancer by up to 50 per cent.
Over the past 12 weeks, 12 locals have been participating in the programme at St Joseph’s and O’Connell’s GAA Club and studying topics of the European Code Against Cancer.
The programme aims to educate participants around cancer awareness and prevention, covering topics such as physical activity, smoking, healthy eating, alcohol and staying safe in the sun.
Its messages are further enhanced by the provision of practical skills-based activities in physical activity, mindfulness, relaxation techniques, healthy cookery classes, communications and team building skills.
Participants can also avail of smoking cessation support which is provided by the Irish Cancer Society.
Following completion of the programme, the new community trainers will be qualified to deliver community based programmes to groups and organisations to generate awareness around reducing the risk of cancer, the importance of attending public screening programmes and the services of the Irish Cancer Society. They will act as community ambassadors by educating local groups on healthy lifestyles and directing them towards other locally based health and welfare services in the community.
The community trainers are local volunteers who had previously engaged in further education and training with the North Wall Community Development Project’s (CDP) Education and Training Service.
Judy Halford, education and training coordinator at North Wall CDP said they were delighted to work in partnership with the Irish Cancer Society on this innovative project which
“provided excellent progression opportunities for those currently training as community trainers
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“This positive outcome, together with the potential to share the vital messages of the programme with the community, creates a very strong foundation for this model of best practice of community development/education going forward,
? said Ms Halford.
The Lord Mayor acknowledged the ongoing work of North Wall CDP and its commitment to empowering individuals and communities to achieve their best.
“Through this partnership with the Irish Cancer Society, they have highlighted the importance of community based health education in supporting individuals on their pathway to employment,
? he said.
“It is fantastic to see the North Wall community receive support and education around important lifestyle issues which can make a real difference to people’s lives.
“I would like to congratulate all the participants in the programme who will soon become community trainers on their achievement to date.
“They are now equipped with the tools and skills they need to go out and mobilise the community on cancer prevention and the issue of health and lifestyles.
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Joanne Vance, senior health promotion officer at the Irish Cancer Society, said:
“The Irish Cancer Society is working in target communities to generate awareness around how simple lifestyle choices in our everyday lives can greatly decrease the risk of cancer and improve our overall health.
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