Health, Well-Being and Safety Event Comes to Loughinisland

Slieve Croob District Electoral Area (DEA) has joined forces with County Down Rural Community Network (CDRCN) and Loughinisland GAC Healthy Clubs Working Committee to bring a Health, Well-Being and Safety Event to Loughinisland on Thursday, 23 May.

The day will begin with the Action Cancer Bus based at St Macartan’s Church Car Park, Loughinisland. The ‘Big Bus’ will be open to the public from 9.30am until 3.20pm. Everyone knows that early detection is vital to responding effectively for many health issues and the visit of the ‘Big Bus’ is a real opportunity for residents to get an MOT check and make a healthy lifestyle change. Due to high demand and limited spaces for checks booking is essential and all attendees will be able to receive free health checks, including blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol, lung function and body composition analysis. Women aged 40-49 and 70 plus will be also be able to get free breast screening.

From 10am to 1pm the PSNI are encouraging the farming community to come along and get their trailers marked at Loughinisland GAC. This free service involves the use of overt markings on trailers by painting unique numbers on them, using a special paint which will help police to establish if a trailer ‘on the move’ is owned by those towing it. This simple but effective scheme helps deter the opportunist criminal from stealing the marked item. No bookings are required– just come along on the day with your trailer.  

Loughinisland GAC will be inviting everyone to come along from 3pm to engage with a range of information stands from the community, voluntary and statutory sectors and hear what services are available in the local area. Some of the groups attending include NI Chest, Heart and Stroke which will check your blood pressure, height/weight and cholesterol; Community Pharmacy; South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust; Pop up Art, Macmillan Move More; County Down Rural Community Network; Policing and Community Safety Partnership; and Home Safety.

Finally, representatives from Down County Museum will be giving talks on Thomas Russell and sharing pictures taken by local photographer Tommy Gribben. A range of rural objects will be on display and there will be plenty for young people to do at the arts and crafts workshops.