For information on any of the Regions six leagues; athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling, football and swimming please contact niall.murray@specialolympics.ie 

Health Matters

This week Special Olympics Ulster were delighted to be awarded a certificate for participation in the Health Matters at Work Initiative.

Last September SO Health and Education Officer, Amy Ball, attended Health Champion training through the Health Matters at Work Initiative supported by the Public Health Agency.

‘Although we have a clear focus on the importance of promoting health and wellbeing to our athletes sometimes we can forget about the importance of encouraging positive health choices to our colleagues. We saw this opportunity as a great way to look in and concentrate on how we could improve workplace health within the office environment.’ 

The Health Matters at Work Initiative is based on the World Health Organisation’s healthy workplace model and covers four important components:

·        Physical Work Environment,

·        Psychosocial Work Environment,

·        Personal Health Resources, and

·        Enterprise Community Involvement.

Following a staff health survey an action plan was put in place. Since the beginning of the initiative we have benefited through the introduction of lunchtime yoga classes, weekly weigh-ins for interested staff and a healthy lunch accompanied by a nutrition and mental health seminar. An optional tea break has also been introduced and monthly health messages are issued to staff via email. 

We are looking forward to keeping our staff's health on the agenda as we enter the new Special Olympics year.