The Health Forum was established as a Working Group in 1999 to assess the health needs of the greater Bogside & Brandywell neighbourhoods. The Working Group members were at that time drawn from a number of community organisations and from the statutory health sector. The result was “Sláinte Linne – Health In Our Hands” which was published in 2000. (See News and Reports)
Bogside & Brandywell Initiative later submitted the report to the New Opportunities Fund (now Big Lottery Fund), along with a Business Plan, for consideration under the NOF Healthy Living Centres programme. In July 2001 BBI succeeded in its funding endeavours and, as a result, the Health Forum become the project that it is today.
HEALTH FORUM MEMBERS PROFILE
Róisín Barton is co-Chair of the Health Forum as well as Chair of Bogside & Brandywell Women’s Group and has been involved in a broad range of community and women’s activism since the late 1960’s. Róisín is also chair of Dove House Community Trust. Róisín has taken a lead role in the Smoking Cessation Programmes.
Mrs. Ann McDuff also co-Chair of the Health Forum. She is Manager of Looked After Services, Foyle Health & Social Services Trust. Based at Trust Headquarters in Derry City she works within the Family & Child Care Programme and maintains close links with colleagues in all programmes. Foyle Trust’s strategic direction is rooted in a vision of delivering a service that expresses family support and achieves a balance between protection and intervention.
Brian McMenamin is Manager at Long Tower Youth and Community Centre and has been an active member of the Health Forum for several years, taking a particular interest in young people’s health and personal development.
Kitty O Kane works for Mind Yourself - a self-help and advocacy project based in Magazine Street. Mind Yourself have developed a number of initiatives with the Forum and made a notable contribution to the Mental Health Sub Group.
Elaine Doherty is a Youth Worker at YouthFirst. She has been instrumental in developing and implementing a range of health and personal programmes with the young people at the club.
Marie Boyle is a member of Bogside & Brandywell Women’s Group and works in Dove House as Financial Administrator. Marie has been proactive for a number of years developing health programmes with the Women’s Group and has a particular interest in smoking cessation.
Andy Bonner joined the Health Forum in 2003. He works as Officer In Charge of the House in the Wells and has been instrumental in developing a number of health and social inclusion programmes with the Forum and the Féile.
Maureen Collins is the Co-ordinator of Good Morning Northwest (Bogside & Brandywell) which is a support project for the elderly in the area. Currently based in Dove House, Maureen has been involved in a number of community initiatives and facilitates the Monday Club for the elderly at The Gasworks every Monday afternoon.
Carol Radcliffe is Manager of the Gasyard Children’s since 2004 and has been instrumental in implementing a number of child-based programmes in partnership with the Health Forum and Foyle Trust.
Dr Lee Casey is a GP based at Great James Health Centre. Lee played a crucial role during the formative stages of the Health Forum’s development.
Dr Ann McCloskey is a GP based at Shantallow Health Centre and has been a very useful resource to the Health Forum staff since the healthy living centre became operational.
Marie Hutton is Nursing Manager at Great James Street Health Centre and has been with the Health Forum since its early stages in 1999. Marie has been instrumental in developing a number of key health development programmes with the Health Forum utilising Health Centre staff.
John McBride is Co-ordinator of Divert - a project based at Dove House which works with young people in relation to reducing the harmful effects of drug, substance and alcohol use.
Robin Percival is the chair of Cúnamh – a project based in Sunbeam Terrace which deals with mental health issues derived mainly from the political conflict.
