PHA promotes Take 5 steps to wellbeing in local council areas
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has hosted an event to promote good emotional health and wellbeing amongst the residents in the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council areas.
The community planning event held in the Valley Leisure Centre recently encouraged residents to build the Take 5 steps to wellbeing into their everyday lives.
The Take 5 Steps to wellbeing are: Connect, Be Active, Take notice, Keep learning and Give. Take 5 steps to wellbeing was developed by Belfast Strategic Partnership’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing Group and is based on the Five Ways to Wellbeing, developed by the New Economics Foundation (NEF).
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, various public sector bodies, local community and voluntary organisations and schools took part in the event which showed practical examples of how the five steps can be built into daily life.
Maurice Meehan, Head of Health Improvement for the Northern area at the PHA, said: “We are delighted to be working with community planning partners across the two local councils to raise awareness of Take 5 steps to wellbeing. We all know that it is important to look after our physical health but it is also really important that we don’t neglect our emotional wellbeing. In fact, the two are often linked, so it is key for everyone to have a blend of activities which will improve and sustain both physical and mental wellbeing. Evidence from the New Economic Foundation has shown that introducing the five steps is an effective way for people and communities to promote their health and wellbeing.”
Welcoming people to the event, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Paul Hamill said: “The important benefit of Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing is that it is about taking simple actions and making deliberate choices to look after ourselves. It doesn’t matter what age we are, where we live or our walk of life, the 5 steps in this model are simple and accessible. And more importantly they are effective. This initiative will play an important part in the achieving the goal of the Community Planning Partnership in Antrim and Newtownabbey to ensure that our citizens enjoy good health and wellbeing.”
Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Cheryl Johnston, said: “We’re delighted to be working with both the PHA and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council to roll out this initiative to all of our citizens. Health and wellbeing is so important and a truly joined-up approach is a fantastic way to ensure people are taking the right care of themselves and others. This is community planning in action and by following these simple Take 5 steps we can all put our best foot forward to a healthier future.”
To find out more about the Take 5 steps to wellbeing visit www.mindingyourhead.info/take-5-steps-wellbeing
To find out more about Love Living Here, the Community Plan for Antrim and Newtownabbey, visit www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/communityplan
For details on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Community Plan, Putting People First, head to www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/communityplan