Bressie to deliver speech on resilience at Longford wellbeing expo

Published: Wed 27 Sep 2023, 4:24 PM

Last updated: Wed 27 Sep 2023, 4:26 PM

One highlight of the first Longford Community Safety and Wellbeing Expo, taking place on Thursday 5 October is expected to be talk by Niall Breslin on resilience.

The event is presented by Longford Community Safety Partnership (LCSP), Sláintecare Healthy Communities (SCHC), Healthy Longford (HL) and Longford Sports Partnership, facilitated by Longford County Council.

It will include an exhibition of services and supports available in County Longford, talks and presentations, designed to help enhance a community sense of safety and wellbeing.

The event is at the new Longford Sports Hub (Longford Athletics Club) on the grounds of St Mel’s College, from 10am to 3pm.

A spokesperson for Longford County Council said: “Community Safety is about being safe, and more importantly feeling safe – and people’s sense of safety feeds into their personal wellbeing, on a physical, mental, and financial level.”

Highlights will include the keynote speech by ‘Bressie’ at 11am; the garda mounted unit, dog unit and forensic scenes of crime units, and there is to be a fly-by of the Garda Air Support helicopter.

The HSE will have a range of health and resource related services present, while people can learn the basics of CPR with Civil Defence and ‘Try a Sport’ with Longford Sports Partnership.

In addition, there will be information available on the Longford Text Alert app, crime prevention, youth services and the Longford Property Marking Initiative.

The event is a direct result of public feedback gathered from projects and initiatives undertaken by each of these engagement programmes over the last two years, said the council spokesperson.

A key message of a lack of knowledge on how to access existing services and supports has consistently emerged.

Longford County Council cathaoirleach, Cllr Colm Murray, said: “I am delighted to support this expo in its work to help communities feel safer and to help them enhance their own sense of well-being in every way. Congratulations to all of the programmes involved.”

The chief executive of Longford County Council Paddy Mahon added: “We at the council are committed to continuing to facilitate the work the engagement programmes do for the county. They enhance the health and safety of people living in our communities, and they helpi make our towns and villages vibrant hubs full of life and activity.”

Janine Bartley, Community Safety Coordinator with Longford LCSP said this Expo is an opportunity to showcase the projects and interventions they have developed over the last two years. “Collaboration and partnership are what our programme is based on, and it’s heartening to see so many of our project partners attending. I encourage all community groups, transition year students, and members of the older Longford community to come along – there is something to do and advice available for everyone on the day.”

Breda Greaves, Healthy Ireland coordinator her organisation promotes and supports healthy behaviour for all age groups, and that offers people with long-term health conditions the support they require to live to their full potential.

This event is open to the public; groups are urged to register their attendance, particularly for the talks, so that numbers can be facilitated. To register, email communitysafety@longfordcoco.ie as soon as possible, to receive information on bus/drop off arrangements.

As there is no parking at the venue on the day, people are advised to park at The Mall Complex, St Mel’s Cathedral car park or at Longford Shopping Centre – all within five minutes’ walk of the event.

For further information, check out Longfordcoco.ie or follow Longford County Council and Longford Local Community Safety Partnership on social media.