Community Health Initiatives
Singing for the Brain – is a friendly and supportive social music group that brings people together through songs, stories and smiles. Participants are welcome to share a song or simply observe. The group provides a unique opportunity for people to come together and enjoy music and socialise with others in the community. Participants benefit greatly from the wellness aspects of singing, such as reduced stress and improved mood. The group is led by a trained Singing for the Brain musical facilitator and supported by a specially trained coordinator. Everyone is welcome, no singing experience necessary.
Fermoy Singing for the Brain session are run in blocks 6 or 7 weeks. The venue is the Adair Hall Fermoy (located behind Christ Church). Online weekly Zoom Singing for the Brain session are also hosted for participants who are unable to attend in person.
If you would like to get further information please click on this link to our Singing for the Brain Ireland Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=singing%20for%20the%20brain%20ireland or by contacting Fermoy Community Health Worker, Jacinta McCormack on 085 8742320.
The summer of 2019 was very significant in the lives of the Singing for the Brain Fermoy participants. On a warm summers day; we gathered together to celebrate and launch of our very first CD.
Singing for the Brain Fermoy members accepting a very generous donation from Fermoy Rotary committee
Members of our Singing for the Brain Fermoy Group pictured at the Fermoy Library for a morning of Christmas Carol group singing with the pupils from Presentations NS Fermoy.
Step It Up
We have been running the Step it Up programme in Fermoy since 2022. This programme is hosted by the Fermoy Community Health Project, and are facilitated by Shirley Lankford (NTC- National Qualification of exercise and health studies and Personal Training. Pilates Instructor). Our participants thoroughly enjoy these energetic and engaging fun movement sessions, which suit all levels of fitness.
We run this programme is blocks of 6 or 7 weeks in the Adair Hall Fermoy (located behind Christ Church). Places are limited so early booking advisable!
If you are interested in finding out more about upcoming classes please contact Jacinta McCormack, Fermoy Community Health Worker on 0858742320.
Step It Up, Adair Hall Fermoy
Hands Up – Who loves Step it Up?
Mindfulness
Fermoy Community Health Project hosts the very successful “Introduction to everyday mindfulness” programme. Mindfulness is about being aware of the present moment, learning to let go of issues in your past and not focusing on what may or may not happen in the future. It also helps us become more aware of our thoughts and feelings, enabling us to manage them rather than allow them overwhelm us. Mindfulness is of particular benefit in dealing with anxiety, stress and depression. For information about upcoming courses check our Facebook page or contact Jacinta on 085 8742320.
safeTALK Trainer – Jacinta has been delivering the safeTALK Workshop to clubs and organisations in various locations throughout Cork. During safeTALK participants will learn four basic steps to help recognize persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them with suicide helping resources. These specific skills are called Suicide Alertness and are taught with the expectation that the person learning them will use them to help reduce suicide risk in their own community. Most people with thoughts of suicide don’t truly want to die, but are struggling with the pain in their lives. Through their words and actions, they invite help to stay alive; safeTALK- suicide alert helpers are trained to move beyond the common tendencies to miss, dismiss or avoid signs of suicide risk. The workshop is FREE and is suitable for anyone over 18 years of age who wants to help prevent suicide and is prepared to become suicide alert.
Lighting the Way North Cork is an information booklet for people bereaved through suicide, it was originally launched in September 2014. The information booklet was updated & re-launched in October 2017 (part of a series of five such resource booklets are now published for Cork). The booklet aims to improve the level of information and support available in the community following a death by suicide.
Each of the ‘Lighting the Way’ booklets contains useful information about the range of supports that can be accessed in the community in the aftermath of a suicide, how to make contact with services and what to expect when you do. The booklets list national supports such as websites, helpline contact details along with other supports offered locally such as bereavement support groups and training around suicide awareness and prevention. Click on this link to access a ‘Lighting the Way’ for your area.
‘Lighting the Way’ booklets contain useful information about the range of supports that can be accessed in the community in the aftermath of a suicide, how to make contact with services and what to expect when you do. The booklets list national supports such as websites, helpline contact details along with other supports offered locally such as bereavement support groups and training around suicide awareness and prevention. Click on this link to access a downloadable copy of ‘Lighting the Way’ booklets for your area.
Each booklet has an art project associated with it. The North Cork Art piece is entitled “The Lantern of Hope’.
If you would like further information on any of the above community initiatives please contact Jacinta McCormack, Fermoy Community Health Worker on 085 8742320 or email her on jacinta.mccormack@hse.ie
The Lantern of Hope on display with other lighting the way art projects at the Connecting for Life launch in Cork 2017
