Early intervention health programme rolled out.

St. Malachy’s primary school has started a project of weekly co-ordinated health education sessions in conjunction with physical activity, targeting all pupils in the school.

The 16 Week programme was made possible thanks to funding from the Neighbourhood Renewal (NR) initiative. The funding was administered via the Armagh City& District Council Growing Communities Programme and enables the school to deliver a health and wellbeing programme to all the kids in the school giving them an understanding of healthy foods, what they should include in their lunch boxes and prepares them to a healthy and active lifestyle and is creating opportunities for young people to engage with a healthy and physical lifestyle.

The aims of the project are; to engage with pupils of the local community who are not actively involved with a Physical Activity. Create opportunities for regular activity for children and young people to reduce the risk of childhood obesity. Develop diversionary activity opportunities after school hours.

Board of Governors member Cathy Rafferty said: “I am delighted to hear that St Malachy’s PS has taken the initiative to deliver this early intervention health programme. This programme funded by Neighbourhood Renewal gives local children the opportunity to become involved in managing and improving their own health at an early age. It’s a great testimony to the principal Paul Duggan and his staff that they are delivering this initiative to children at an early age. The innovative idea of educating parents through the child with a healthy eating booklet is a fantastic idea and proves that funding these types of introductory programmes is a great way of giving young people the confidence, drive and motivation to become involved in improving their own health.