1 minute read
better health
This was a busy year for the Cavan-based Traveller project with the team delivering information and awareness sessions on key areas including mental health, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular health.
Covid vaccinations were a particular priority, with staff assisting in registering members of the Traveller community and encouraging and promoting uptake, as well as promoting the importance of social distancing and good hygiene.
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The team formed a strong partnership with Mental Health Ireland and the Education and Training Board to facilitate a number of initiatives including mindfulness programmes, self-care, yoga, and accessing online health supports through short computer courses. Through this relationship, we now have one staff member from the Traveller community who sits on the committee for the Mental Health and Human Rights group.
Along with the HSE Traveller Mental Health Coordinator, the team produced a special leaflet with a list of all mental health supports available. This leaflet was given out to each Traveller family engaged with, along with other self-care and mental health memos.
Other important initiatives included the Steps to Health Challenge, and Diabetes Awareness Day, for which the team developed a leaflet specific to the Traveller community. Staff also developed ‘step and stroll’ groups in the local area to highlight the importance of regular physical exercise among the community.
I was going through depression and anxiety as well as being socially isolated. I stayed at home all day and had no motivation to do anything.
The Traveller team supported me with getting out more and trying new things like exercise classes, mindfulness, self-care, healthy eating and art. Thanks to this I’ve become more active and self-aware of health for myself and my family.
It has also helped me to interact more with other members of the Traveller community and to connect with services. I now feel more comfortable going into public places such as cafes, libraries and resource centres – those are places where I would have felt judged before because of my Traveller background.
Extern has helped me build my selfconfidence and motivation levels. I had no structure or routine before, but I now enjoy going to the groups. It has also made me understand and respect my heritage more, and helped me to interact with more people from the Traveller community.
