Annual Report 2010 Contents Chairperson’s Forward 4 Niche Background 5 Family Health 7 Physical Activity and Well-being Initiatives 11 Therapeutic Services 13 Health Screening & Promotion 14 Arts for Health 17 Food and Environment 21 Policy Initiatives 25 Events 26 Quantum of Services 28 Company Details 30 Abbreviations Community Health Worker (CHW); Public Health Nurses (PHNs); Health Action Zone (HAZ); Revitalising Areas by Planning Investment & Development (RAPID); University College Cork (UCC); Health Service Executive (HSE); National School (N.S.); School Completion Programme (SCP); National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS); Cork University Hospital (CUH). Chairperson’s Foreward Niche community health project is delighted to present this 2010 annual report. The report demonstrates the wide range and volume of positive community health work that was undertaken through the year from lifestyle and fitness, to services for new parents, community food projects, assisting local people to access support services, arts for health activities and community promotion of the national cancer screening programme. This work has taken place through collaboration with the local community as well as successful partnerships with local and national organisations. It has been a challenging year. The people of the area are experiencing the effects of the wider economic situation through cuts in services, reduced welfare, and with fewer opportunities for jobs, and training. Niche, as well as other organisations in the area, has never been busier, the demand for services is high and the need to adapt and respond has been necessary to strive for better health outcomes. The pages ahead report on the work of the organisation in this year, focusing particular attention on how we plan and prioritise the programmes, describing the outcomes and benefits for the participating individuals and groups, the overall progress made in the year and policy initiatives undertaken and developing in the near future. Niche would like to acknowledge firstly the local residents of the area who participate in the project and help us to develop and adapt. To my fellow Board of Management I would like to express my deep appreciation and to extend a warm welcome to the new members Ger Phillips and Angela Kalaitzake. The board and staff would like to pay particular tribute to the HSE South Community Work Department, especially Ronnie Dorney for her commitment to Niche and the value placed on Community Health development work across the Northside of Cork. And to Pat Healy HSE South Regional Director of Operations for his ongoing support to the project. Niche would also like to acknowledge the support and collaboration of: Joanne Downey and the PHN team of Sector 4; Lynn Swinburne Health Promotion Officer of the National Cancer Screening Programme; Norma Murphy, RAPID Co-ordinator; Dr Louise Gibson, Dr Pat Henn and Dr Aileen Malone of the Kidscope Project; Ann Horgan; Ailbhe Creedon of HSE, Northlee Speech and Language Department; Fiona Rush and HSE Health Promotion; All the people involved in the Knocknaheeny Youth and Community Centre, Springboard, Family Centre, St Mary on the Hill National School, Le Cheile SCP, Mardyke Sports Arena, Churchfield Leisure World, Pfizers and Bus Eireann, Cork City Council and UCC, Healthy Food for All, Safefood, Health Action Zone, the massage therapists and acupuncturist Marie O’Regan. Niche is fortunate to have a highly qualified and committed staff who bring to their work a friendly, encouraging and supportive energy. One individual who deserves special mention is Eugene O’Connor who retired as Chairperson of Niche in 2010. Much of the success of Niche is down to the vision and determination of Eugene. He has a special place in his heart for Knocknaheeny and Niche in particular. His part in the development of Niche over the past 11 years has resulted in Niche being located in a modern building with a dynamic team to serve the local community. Though he has retired from the Board Eugene’s innovative ideas and wonderful sense of fun will resonate in the work that we do for a long time to come. Theresa McCarthy, Chairperson, Niche. Niche Background Located in the Knocknaheeny/Hollyhill area of Cork’s Northside, Niche Community Health Project aims to address health inequality and institutionalise a social model of health locally to improve the quality of life for people living in the area. Using a community development approach and through interagency collaboration, Niche has developed responses that overcome structural barriers to health, and building social capital to ensure that local people have a say and are able to take action to improve their health. Niche has placed itself within the community as a mechanism to support people with their immediate needs as well as working with others toward a long term vision for the area. Governance Niche is a limited company with charitable status, core funded by the HSE South. It is governed by a Board of Management, whose representation includes residents from the local area, UCC Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and the HSE Community Work Department. The role of the Board is to steer and support the policy direction of the organisation. Niche employs a Project Manager, an Administrator and five Community Health Workers. With additional partnership funding Niche also contracted a Speech and Language Therapist and Food Focus Development Worker. Planning In 2010 there was again an increased demand for Niche services and development work. In the prioritising, planning and implementation of work, Niche takes its direction from four key areas: The Board of Management; the experience and reflections of the staff; interagency collaboration; and the skills and strengths of the community as well as the changing individual and collective socio-economic environment. This shared approach insures we make connections across the area, embed a community health agenda and create co- supportive systems for work to be carried out and address health inequality. The Niche 2010 work plan was developed under five strategic areas of work, through a partnership between the board of management, staff, key stakeholders and the local community: o Family Health o Access to Health Information & Services o Food and the Environment o Positive Mental Health, Well-being & Lifestyle o Organisational Development. Family Health – New and Young Families PHN Partnership Programmes Niche has been working in partnership with the Public Health Nursing Team for many years, the work has now been cemented around four key pieces of work which are delivered by the PHN’s, supported by the CHW and which take place in Niche. This is part of a wider programme approach which aims to: support new families in getting to know their public health nurse, connect with other new families and local services, learn about and bond with their new baby and to look after their family health. Antenatal Courses The PHNs deliver the antenatal courses for 9 months of the year. Each course runs for 3 consecutive weeks, and is open to expectant parents living in the catchment area to prepare them for birth of the baby and to early days of becoming a parent. The courses are delivered in a relaxed, open environment where parents are free to ask questions and guide the nature of the discussions. The CHW manages the programme in terms of booking in the parents, preparing the space and also attends the classes to offer further support. The antenatal courses are a vital intervention at this local level, as they engage new families at a critical stage and normalise the process of engaging with relevant services. It is from these courses that if needed, parents will stay engaged with Niche Family Health programmes until the child is about 1 year of age, and for themselves participate in other programmes, such as family days, Gym and Swim etc. In 2010 it was noticed that more fathers are attending the courses, and more parents are indicating a preference for breastfeeding - an outcome due in part to bringing a local breastfeeding mother to the classes to talk about her experiences and the benefits. Baby Massage Courses Baby Massage Courses are available to parents and their babies from the area; priority is given to those who took part in antenatal classes, and/or referred by public health nurses, GP’s and or other organisations and practitioners in the area. The parents are taught over 5 sessions how to massage their baby to help with bonding, relaxation, confidence and communication with their baby. Again the course is delivered by specifically trained PHNs and the parents are offered ongoing support by the CHW. Breastfeeding Support Group Following the birth of their baby, mothers from the area are invited by their PHN or the CHW to attend breast feeding support group if they have chosen to breast feed their baby. The mother has the opportunity to meet up with other mums, share experiences, receive tips and information from one another and the PHN. The group was very well attended in 2010. PHN Clinic & Drop in The PHN Clinic incorporates the PHN child development checks for children in the area, but is also available to parents on a non-appointment basis to access the PHN for support and advice around issues relating to their young child. The clinics take place on the last Monday of every month. Baby’s First Christmas On the 9th of December 2010, for those born during the year, parents and babies are invited to baby’s first Christmas party, which is now held in the Youth Centre. This year 30 babies and their parent(s) attended. Grandparents and Niche members volunteered on the day, and the staff of the Youth Centre also got involved. It has become a celebratory event, marking the special year for the families with Santa, gifts and music.