Council selected to take part in special Wellbeing project

by Gráinne Connolly

Derry City and Strabane District Council has been announced as one of three local Councils to take part in a special project aimed at improving resident's wellbeing. 

It's been selected by the Carnegie UK Trust to get involved through the Community Planning Process. 

The Community Planning Partnerships in Derry and Strabane, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, will all participate in the Embedding Wellbeing in Northern Ireland project.

They'll also receive financial and in-kind support from the Trust for the next 2.5 years.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor John Boyle, said the support would assist in achieving Derry and Strabane's Strategic Growth Plan aspiration of local people, 'living long, healthy and fulfilling lives'. 

"This investment by the Carnegie UK Trust represents the first significant support for Community Planning and the wellbeing agenda at a local level in Northern Ireland.

"Derry City and Strabane District Council is delighted to be participating in what will be an exciting and challenging project that will improve the wellbeing of not just the residents of the Derry and Strabane area, but communities right across Northern Ireland.”

Martyn Evans, Chief Executive of the Carnegie UK Trust, said:

“I would like to congratulate the three successful Partnerships from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council; Derry City and Strabane District Council; and Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.

"We look forward to working with the three Community Planning Partnerships until 2020, but also to investing our in-kind resources, support networks, and convening power into improving local wellbeing outcomes for all across Northern Ireland.

“All of the local authorities in Northern Ireland are to be commended for their commitment to Community Planning.

"It was clear that so much work has gone into ensuring that the Community Plans reflect the local needs and aspirations of the communities they serve.

“Wellbeing is at the heart of every Council’s Community Plans. Through our Embedding Wellbeing in Northern Ireland project we believe we will see real changes not just to the work of the three Council’s which have been successful, but to the everyday lives of each citizen in Northern Ireland as community planning starts to take shape.” 

Aideen McGinley, Carnegie UK Trust Board Member and Chair of the new Embedding Wellbeing in Northern Ireland project Advisory Group, added: “Through our Expression of Interest process, the Advisory Group saw some fantastic examples of the spirit of Community Planning in action, and we’re delighted to be able to shine a light on these so that Northern Ireland can lead the way across the UK and Ireland in Community Planning.

“As part of the three year programme, operating from 2018 to 2020, our peer-to-peer support model will allow the participating Community Planning Partnerships to learn from each other and that of international best practice in addressing common themes and similar challenges, and share this with other local authorities in Northern Ireland.

“This project is not just about Councils, but about making a difference to the lives of citizens through Community Planning.  We commend the Councils who have been successful and hope that each Council in Northern Ireland can benefit from sharing experiences and best practice learning.”