West Limerick Resources - "Committed to the Community"

Stepping Up to the Challenge

The West Limerick Primary Health Care Project for Travellers recently concluded their pilot Step Challenge which was designed to promote people's awareness of their levels of physical activity and to encourage people to become more active every day.  Twenty four people took part in the five week challenge which was run in partnership with the County Limerick Local Sports Partnership and the Irish Heart Foundation.

At the beginning of the five weeks, each participant received a step-counter to count their steps during the day along with safety information and a record card. The aim was to gradually increase steps to 10,000 each day. It was found was that most people's stepping was 'up and down' so it was decided to give gold pins from the Irish Heart Foundation to those whose average number of steps over four weeks was 10,000 or more and all others would receive a silver pin.

Bridget Ann O'Brien a Community Health Worker from Newcastle West explained new the initiative has now moved to the next stage.  "At the moment, there are fifty-four women and men from Newcastle West, Askeaton and Rathkeale signed up for the challenge with a few more to start soon in Abbeyfeale. Seven of the current participants are aged 14-18 years. The challenge will run up to October and people can sign up at any stage and do the challenge as many times as they want. When their cards are returned, people's names will go into a monthly prize draw for a dinner for two at the Woodlands and will receive either a gold or silver Irish Heart Foundation pin."

The West Limerick Primary Health Care Project for Travellers aims to improve the health status and quality of life of Travellers in the West Limerick area. It is a joint initiative between West Limerick Resources and the HSE. West Limerick Resources employs seven members of the Traveller Community who are qualified as Community Health Workers. For more information about the West Limerick Primary Health Care Project for Travellers or the 2011 Community Step Challenge, call West Limerick Resources on 069 61316.

Posted on 10/06/2011 by Suzanne Rowley, Information Officer