Westmeath town chosen as base for new series of OT

Kilbeggan has been chosen as the home for the new series of RTÉ's Operation Transformation.

Each week, the five OT leaders will travel to Westmeath to have their health check-ins at St James's Hall. The OT crew have already filmed a number of segments with local groups in advance of the series return on January 3.

As part of a partnership with Westmeath County Council, Karl Henry's weekly Ad Break Challenges will feature different groups from across the county.

Pat Murtagh, senior executive officer for Community Development and Corporate Services, said: “Westmeath County Council welcomes Operation Transformation to the beautiful Lake County.

“We are proud to support our diverse communities by providing opportunities for healthy living, sporting and physical activities. Westmeath, in the centre of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, is the ideal destination for outdoor activity and adventure with nearly 100km of scenic greenways, along with woodland walks and our wonderful lakes.”

Presenter Kathryn Thomas will be on hand to encourage and cheer the show’s new leaders every step of the way as they embark on a health and wellness plan under the supervision of four qualified experts.

Devising the health and wellness plan and guiding the class of 2024 leaders in a new chapter of self-improvement are the team of OT experts; principal clinical psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy, dietitian Sophie Pratt, general practitioner Dr Sumi Dunne, and fitness expert Karl Henry.

This season will see the launch of a new Meal Plan devised by OT expert, CORU registered dietitian, and member of the Irish Institute of Nutrition and Dietetics, Sophie Pratt, aiming to aid a more sustainable approach to healthy eating that also reflects the cost-of-living crisis.

With this year's Meal Plan Sophie hopes to improve the cooking skills of the nation. So, this year OT wants to encourage young people all over the country to learn how to cook, a key life skill to put them on the pathway to a healthier future.

For the first time, the series has opened the OT Meal Plan to secondary schools across the country, with the Main Meal plan featuring three recipes from home economics students across the country.

During the series, Sophie will visit each school, cook dishes, and educate students about the value of cooking as an essential life skill.

In another OT first on Thursday January 18, OT will host Operation Transformation National Blood Pressure Day in association with the Irish Pharmacy Union.

With a membership of just over 1800 pharmacies across the country, each participating pharmacy will offer free blood pressure readings to their community.

The programme will highlight the importance of blood pressure awareness as it is a key health indicator – knowing your blood pressure numbers is the first step to a long and healthy life.

Kathryn Thomas said: “Our 2024 leaders are just phenomenal and without a doubt are going to inspire the entire nation as they embark on their health transformations – at the same time encouraging us all to focus on our own health and wellness goals come January.

"This year we are delighted to launch our first Operation Transformation National Blood Pressure Day and we are thoroughly delighted Ireland Lights Up is back and we’ll encourage the nation to train with us for the 5k run in the Phoenix Park, the ultimate nod to the power of the Operation Transformation community.”