Health Promotion Conference Galway 2019
The AHPI were delighted to be at the 23nd Annual Health Promotion Conference in Galway last week. The theme of this years conference was 'Building a Healthy Ireland: Promoting Health and Wellbeing in Educational Settings'. Many thanks to the team for organising a hugely informative day and a great line up of speakers. As always, it was lovely to meet up with so many AHPI members. The AHPI also sponsored the award for best poster and best tweeter on the day. Thanks to Professor Saoirse Nic Gabhainn for presenting the awards and congratulations to Laura Tully for keeping us up to date on twitter and to Kathryn Meade, Dept of Health Promotion and Improvement HSE and her colleagues for the best poster 'Healthy Ireland Smart Start (HISS) Programme in Pre-school Services'.
Job Opportunity: Waterford Social Prescribing Coordinator
The position of Waterford Social Prescribing Coordinator is now advertised. To see details please click on the following link
Social Prescribing Coordinator Position
The aim of the Waterford Social Prescribing Service is to improve physical, emotional and mental wellbeing by linking people with non-medical sources of support within the community.
This post is a fixed term full-time contract for a four month period (with the possibility of a further extension subject to funding) for an enthusiastic motivated individual to become part of the vibrant team at Sacred Heart Family Resource Centre where you will be based.
As Social Prescribing Coordinator you must have experience of at least 3 years in a Community, Youth and / or Health setting of working on the wider determinants of health, in identifying services and activities and in supporting people to access same. Outreach and one to one work will be a key feature of the role.
This project focuses on the Waterford Metropolitan Area coordinating an innovative approach to health and wellbeing.
The position will necessitate the following:-
- The successful candidate must have a recognised level 7 Degree or higher in Social, Community, Health or other related field and a minimum of 3 years experience in a relevant setting.
- Experience of project administration, networking and co-ordination.
- Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills including fluent English speaker.
- A full driving licence and access to a car for work purposes.
Full Job Description and Person Specification can be obtained by emailing: info@sacredheartfrc.ie
COMPLETED LETTERS OF INTEREST AND C.V. MARKED FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE MANAGER, REF: SOCIAL PRESCRIBING SHOULD BE SENT TO info@sacredheartfrc.ie
Closing date for applications: 1.00pm on Friday 10th May 2019. Interviews for those shortlisted will be held on Monday 20th May 2019 at Sacred Heart Family Resource Centre, Richardson’s Meadow, Old Tramore Road, Waterford.
NOTE: Enhanced criteria may be applied to assist with short listing and interview
Canvassing will disqualify. No late applications will be accepted.
Sacred Heart Community & Childcare Project CLG is an equal opportunities employer.
Job Opportunity: Mental Health Promotion Officer
Mental Health Ireland
Job Specification
Position Title : Mental Health Promotion Officer
Reports to : Mental Health Promotion Manager
Location : Head Office (Glasthule, Co. Dublin)
Mental Health Ireland (MHI) is a national voluntary organisation with a network of Mental Health Associations (MHAs) active throughout the country. Mental Health Ireland aims to promote positive mental health through evidence based programmes, training and awareness raising and to support persons who experience mental health difficulties, their families and significant others through the activities of Mental Health Associations’ and national advocacy.
AHPI AGM and official launch of the voluntary register for health promotion practitioners in Ireland
The 2018 AHPI AGM took place on the 8th of February 2018 in the SpunOut offices in Dublin. It was fantastic to see so many members attend all sessions throughout the day and was a great opportunity for so many friends and colleagues to meet up and catch up.
We had a really informative session on demystifying the registration process for Health Promotion practitioners. The goal of the IUHPE Health Promotion Accreditation System is to promote quality assurance, competence and mobility in Health Promotion practice, education and training globally as well as raising the status of health promotion professionals. Thanks to Colette Dempsey and the accreditation team for facilitating the session.
After lunch, Edel Hackett from Persuasion Republic delivered a presentation ‘Using digital and social media effectively for health promotion’. Edel presented at our recent CPD event in Sligo and the feedback from attendees was very positive so it was great to have Edel present at the AGM to learn more about communicating health promotion messages.
This was followed by the official launch of the new voluntary register for health promotion practitioners in Ireland. The registration, which has international recognition, offers health promotion practitioners increased recognition and visibility of their Health Promotion qualifications, helps with future career moves across roles, organisations, regions and countries and a reference point for employers as well as helping the public identify those registered practitioners. Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Health Promotion and the National Drugs Strategy, Catherine Byrne also “welcomes the establishment of the Health Promotion Registration System, which is a core milestone in the advancement of Health Promotion in Ireland. She congratulates the Association on achieving this recognition from the International Union of Health Promotion and Education and acknowledges the significant opportunities for networking at a global level”.
Since its emergence at an international level, health promotion in Ireland has developed and grown, with significant achievements in the areas of cardiovascular health, healthy public policies and healthy settings. Currently, there are about 300 people working in health promotion and, moreover, thousands carrying out health promoting practice in their everyday work, e.g. teachers, dietitians and other clinicians. In addition, the number of under-graduate and post-graduate health promotion courses has grown significantly from the early 1990s. Thanks to Professor Margaret Barry, Chair of Health Promotion, NUI Galway and Biddy O’Neil, Healthy Ireland and DoH for their ongoing support for the Health Promotion profession. Professor Barry spoke of the important role Irish Health Promotion Practitioners and academics played in the development of the International accreditation and registration system and Biddy O’Neil acknowledged the importance of recognising the profession.
One of the practitioners who received his Certificate of Registration at the launch was Sligo IT graduate David Bergin – David who graduated from the BSc (Hons) in Public Health and Health Promotion and now works as a project Officer in Health Promotion in the Institute of Public Health said “This accreditation system is a momentous step for Health Promotion practitioners in Ireland, gaining professional recognition as health professionals”. NUIG graduate, Ashling Jennings who completed the MA in Health Promotion and is currently working as a Health Promotion officer in the Asthma Society of Ireland also received her Certificate of Registration at the launch – she added "I think it is a really positive step that Health Promotion practitioners are now recognised internationally as health professionals. I am delighted to be registered."
Thanks to all who attended the day and for all the hard work put in by the various committees. It really was such a successful day. And don’t forget to get registering!
Annual General Meeting
The AHPI Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday 8th February 2018 in the meeting room on the 3rd Floor of Sean MacBride House, 48 Fleet St, Parliament Row, Temple Bar, Dublin. The day will begin with the presentation of AGM reports and Election of Officers for 2018. This will be followed by a practical session on the application process for Health Promotion Registration which will provide tips for anyone in Category 2 or 3 who is planning to complete the application form. At 2pm, there will be a presentation on 'Using digital and social media effectively for health promotion' from Edel Hackett in Persuasion Republic. For further information, contact info@ahpi.ie.Page 4 of 15