Boyle Municipal District to be National leader in Community Wellbeing
What do we need for the wellbeing of the Boyle Municipal District (MD). That is the question being posed by Roscommon PPN, and they want to hear from all the groups and organisations in the Boyle MD. Developing a Wellbeing Vision means thinking about what we have and what we need to help the Boyle MD to be as great as it can be for us and for the many generations that follow on from ours.
One thing everyone can agree on is that we would like our community to be the very best it can be. Roscommon PPN are delighted to be chosen to pilot a new National Initiative on Community wellbeing.
“Our wellbeing is affected by many things; the economy, the environment, services etc” explained Margaret Mulligan and the wellbeing of the community affects everyone within it. We really want to hear from the groups and organisations on the ground what is important to them”. The PPN is hosting an event on March 13th in King House, Boyle to start this important conversation. Groups will also be able to feed in online. All this information will be brought together and be used to influence policy and guide the work of the PPN and its representatives in influencing policy, and working towards achieving the community’s goals.
What is Community Wellbeing
Wellbeing is an increasingly common term that can describe wider conditions than good physical and mental health, which we need as individual and communities to have a better quality of life, a healthier environment and increased prosperity. Some of these are things that we can easily measure, like the number of pre-school places, or the speed with which an ambulance can get to a sick person. Others are less easily measured, such as our pride of place, our heritage and the way in which we all look after each other. All aspects of wellbeing are connected to each other. “So, for example, if we our natural environment is poor, it will affect our mental and physical health as well as our economy. In other words, all the parts of our community wellbeing are interconnected”
Under this programme the Roscommon PPN and the other 30 PPNs in the country will look at community wellbeing under the same headings; social and community development; environment and sustainability; work, economy and resources; health; values, culture and meaning; and participation, democracy and good governance. By using these 6 headings across all the country, we can see whether we in Roscommon have the same concerns and causes for celebration as others.
Roscommon PPN
The Roscommon PPN (Public Participation Network) is a collective of all the community, voluntary, social inclusion and environmental groups in Roscommon. Established in 2014, the PPN provides the community voice on Roscommon County Council committees. It also runs training courses for member groups and shares information about funding and activities. Roscommon PPN is very excited to be part of the pilot community wellbeing project. For more information or to get involved you can contact the PPN at 090 6665735 or email brenda@roscommonppn.ie
For further information and available for comment or interview
Brenda McNicholas – 086 047 8616 – brenda@roscommonppn.ie
Additional explanation of the 6 Headings PPNs are using to look at Community Wellbeing
Social & Community Development – How can we be an inclusive community where we support each other and ensure no one is left out? What are the important social services and facilities we need to live well from childhood to old age?
Environment & Sustainability – How do we value our natural environment and man-made heritage? What can be done to conserve, protect and restore these? How can we interact with the environment in a sustainable way, and hand it on to the next generation in a better state?
Work, Economy & Resources – How can our communities thrive economically, with good jobs, and supports for enterprise, business and for people not in work? What resources do we have and are they used effectively and sustainably without causing harm to social and environmental sustainability?
Health – How can all members of our community enjoy the best possible physical and mental health? What about people with special needs, older people, and carers?
Values, Culture & Meaning – What is needed to ensure that everyone both feels, and actually is, included and valued, and that our different values and cultures are respected and nurtured? What are the important parts of our culture that we want to hand on to future generations?
Participation, Democracy & Good Governance – What is necessary to ensure that our local government structures support the wellbeing of our community for this and future generations? What is necessary to ensure that we have a voice in the decisions that affect us and that all voices are being heard?