The Health Forum is a community-led health improvement project tasked with bringing together many different groups and agencies in order to enhance the health and well being of the people in the Bogside & Brandywell community and to reduce health inequalities.

OLDER PEOPLE

Monday Club

The Health Forum’s popular Monday Club runs every Monday from 2.30pm to 4.30pm in the Gasyard Centre and has 65 members with a regular attendance of around 45 participants. The club is an essentially mixed range of activities including salsa, ball room and line dancing, mind working exercises such as reminiscence, quizzes and bingo, healthy eating demonstration as well as arts & crafts.

MOT Health Checks

Our annual MOT is attended by around 130 older people, while a range of voluntary and statutory bodies are involved in the delivery of the event. Older people are invited to come along and get their blood pressure, blood sugar levels, height, weight & BMI’s checked without having to make an appointment. As part of the day they can participate in free beauty and complimentary therapies including Indian head massage, reflexology and nail manicures and the men can attend the barber. A healthy lunch is also provided. After lunch we have bingo with spot prizes. A great day out is had by all.

Basic Foot Care Clinic

The Health Forum and Foyle Trust have teamed up to provide a free Basic Foot Care Clinic for older people living at home in the Bogside , Brandywell, Fountain and greater Bishop Street. The Clinic runs every Monday from 1.30pm to 4.00pm and there are over one hundred and sixty older people availing of the service.

Gentle Exercises

A new activity for the Monday Club members, this type of exercise keeps older peoples’ muscles supple and helps prevents accidents within their homes. The programme is delivered in partnership with Derry City Council Sports Development Officer. This activity will be part of our long-term plans for the club.

Christmas Dance/Summer Gala Ball

The Health Forum teams up with other older peoples groups to hold Christmas and summer dances. We fundraise for these events during the year running raffles and tea parties etc. These events are well attended with around one hundred people in the attendance.

Summer Bus Trip

The third annual bus trip for the Monday Club, it is run in conjunction with two other older peoples groups from the area. We run the bus trips to different destinations each year from Bundoran to Ballyliffin.

Caring for Carers Pampering Day

In September of this year the Health Forum will team up with Foyle Trust to deliver a pampering day for carers from the Derry area. This event will be a full day of relaxation complimentary therapies and beauty treatments. This event has been organised to help support carers from the Derry area who remain isolated at home.

If you would like more information on any of the Older Peoples Programmes contact Mary at the Health Forum on 71365330.

CURRENT PROGRAMMES

Click on any programme heading below for further information.

Health Campaigns
- Investing for Health in Schools
- Smoking Cessation
- Stop Smoking Events
- Women’s, Men’s & Young
- People’s Health MOT Checks
- Mobile Cancer Screening Unit
- Blood Transfusion Service

Physical Health & Fitness
- Beginners Keep Fit
- Tai Bo
- Body Toning
- Men’s Beginners Circuit Training
- Class
- Ju Jitsu
- Exercise Referral Project

Older People
- Monday Club
- MOT Health Checks
- Basic Foot Care Clinic
- Gentle Exercises
- Christmas Dance/Summer
- Gala Ball
- Summer Trip
- Caring for the Carers Pampering

Food Health & Nutrition
- Cook It
- Food For Thought
- Back 2 Basics
- Healthy Eating Workshops
- An Gairdín Glas
- Sunrise Healthy Breakfast Club

Mental Health
- Foyle Tranquiliser Initiative
- ‘The Pink Ladies’ Breast Cancer
   Support Group

Oral Health