A new health initiative has been launched at the Maureen Sheehan Centre.

The Combating Anxiety through Lifestyle Management (CALM) programme has been developed in light of research surrounding community led health initiatives conducted in the Falls ward over a number of years.

The programme, launched at the Centre last Friday, aims to tackle health inequalities, promote physical and emotional health as well as addressing feelings of low self-esteem and insecurity and intends to deal with issues as diverse as fear of crime and suicide, to employability and mental health. 

The programme was launched by CALM coordinator Aidan Hamilton and project worker Kevin Kennedy. It was welcomed by Danny Power, Chairperson of the Centre’s Healthy Living Centre and local GP Dr George O’Neill.

“I welcome this new programme,” said Danny Power.  “When you look at statistics that show that someone from the West is more likely to die sooner that someone from the South of the city, you realise a project like this is needed and these issues need to be tackled.”

Dr O’Neill said it was “unacceptable” that people from West Belfast are dying prematurely.

“I am looking for a better outcome for the people I think have had a raw deal over the last 40 years.

“I think the CALM programme is a novel concept. This community has been crying out for someone to provide leadership. I hope the programme will do this and that it will continue to grow and grow.”

Local people will have the opportunity to become active participants in managing their own physical and emotional health by availing of training on offer by the programme. The CALM team will work in partnership with Time Associates, a private company focusing on learning and development, and Accept Care, which supports disadvantaged and disabled people. CALM will build on the work and further develop the foundations laid by the HEART Project which has been working in the Falls Ward since 2003. 

A total of £700,000 of funding from the Big Lottery’s Keeping Communities Safe and Well initiative will allow this programme to run for five years. 

Anyone interested in signing up to the health sessions should telephone 90 310346