Belfast Healthy Cities

🏙️ Welcome to the team, Jacqueline! 🌿 We’re delighted to welcome Jacqueline O'Hagan as our new Healthy City Coordinator at Belfast Healthy Cities. As Healthy City Coordinator, Jacqueline will play a key role in supporting our work as part of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network, helping us drive forward our vision of a healthy, equitable and sustainable Belfast. 📨 To contact Jacqueline, email jacqueline@belfasthealthycities.com #HealthyCities #Belfast #PublicHealth #HealthEquity #SustainableCities

🌍 Exciting News from Belfast Healthy Cities! 🏙️ We’re proud to share that Belfast Healthy Cities is now the Secretariat for the UK Healthy Cities Network, a collaboration of towns and cities across the UK committed to putting health and equity at the heart of local decision-making. As members of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network, we are passionate about delivering on the shared priorities of People, Place, Planet, Peace, Participation and Prosperity – and look forward to working with existing and new members to strengthen action on health equity, climate resilience, urban planning, and much more. The UK Healthy Cities Network offers a platform for learning, collaboration and shared innovation, and we’re excited to support cities across the UK in taking forward bold, evidence-based approaches to building healthier, fairer places to live. 🤝 Interested in joining the network or finding out more? Get in touch with Anne McCusker at UKHCN@belfasthealthycities.com #HealthyCities #HealthEquity #PublicHealth #SustainableCities #PartnershipWorking

The All- Party Group on Active Travel focuses on promoting active travel policies. We met with Chair of the APG @petermcreynoldsmla today to discuss how Belfast Healthy Cities can support the group The group fosters collaboration between politicians, local authorities, the Voluntary and community sector and other relevant organisations to ensure active travel is recognised for its significant benefits - 🌱healhier you- boosting physical and mental well being 🚘 less traffic, congestion and long commutes 🚴🏻 better infrastructure for walking and cycling 💨cleaner air, reducing pollution and creating a healthier city We want to see a city that prioritises cycling, walking and sustainable transport which will create a vibrant sustainable and healthy Belfast. Department for Infrastructure Department of Health NI

🔎 Did you know... Belfast Healthy Cities plays a vital role in bridging #research, #policy, and practice to promote health equity across #Belfast. We help strengthen public health efforts by: ✅ Promoting cross-sector collaboration ✅ Supporting international learning ✅ Providing leadership on #HealthEquity 🗣️ At a recent Impact Engagement Session, one of our stakeholders said: “Belfast Healthy Cities helps connect the dots between evidence, policy, and delivery, empowering us to do better for communities.” We’re proud to support organisations working to reduce health inequalities and improve population wellbeing in Belfast and beyond. To find out more about us and what we do, visit https://lnkd.in/dSyMkJsF #HealthEquity #PublicHealth #HealthInequalities #GreenCities | Charlene Brooks

🎥 WATCH NOW: Health Equity Training for #Belfast Political Representatives 🌍   We're pleased to share the recording of our recent Health Equity Training session, specifically delivered for Belfast’s political representatives by public health expert Erica Ison on behalf of Belfast Healthy Cities.   This interactive session “Empowering Leaders to Drive Strategic Change for Health Equity” explores:   ✅ The difference between health inequalities and health inequities ✅ How social determinants shape health outcomes ✅ The importance of partnership working and systems thinking ✅ Real-life case studies from #NorthernIreland ✅ Practical tools to inform strategy, planning, and decision-making   This session equips Belfast's political leaders with insights and resources to tackle health inequities and shape effective policy and action in the city.   📽️ Watch the full training video here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/ebVceKYR   #HealthEquity #PublicHealth #PoliticalLeadership #Belfast #BelfastHealthyCities Charlene Brooks | Micky Murray | Ruth Brooks | Carl Whyte

Belfast Healthy Cities attended the Annual Sustainability Symposium 2025🌿 hosted by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. We were pleased to hear Grainia Long, Chief Executive of NIHE, championing sustainable homes and communities - a vision aligned with our own work on creating a healthier, more equitable #Belfast. 🏡 We also welcomed insights from Angus Kerr, Director of Climate Change at the Department for Communities, who spoke about the Warm Healthy Homes Scheme. Following recent consultation on fuel poverty, the new scheme will place a strong focus on:  ✔️ Sustainable heating ✔️ Energy affordability ✔️ Reducing fuel poverty ✔️ Improving health outcomes There is a clear link between the quality of #housing, #sustainability and health - we must all work together to address these challenges in a coordinated and strategic way. #PublicHealth #FuelPoverty #HealthyHomes #ClimateAction #HealthEquity

This school year, eight primary schools across Belfast have taken part in our Healthy Places, Healthy Children programme; a unique Key Stage 2 teaching resource that helps children explore the connection between health and the built environment. Through hands-on learning, pupils became active citizens, designing proposals to improve outdoor spaces within their school grounds. Thanks to funding from the GroundsWell Consortium and Queen's University Belfast, we were able to bring these ideas to life, turning creative thinking into real impact. 🌱 From tree and bulb planting to outdoor play equipment and new green areas to relax, chat and learn - these projects are already making a difference to children’s #health and #wellbeing. 📚 At our workshop today, schools came together to share project updates, celebrate successes, and reflect on their learning. To learn more or get in touch: 📩 info@belfasthealthycities.com #HealthyPlacesHealthyChildren #Belfast #UrbanHealth #HealthLiteracy #GreeningTheCity #ActiveCitizens

Fantastic read about the growth and development of #corkhealthycities in the online version of their book Contributions included from Belfast Healthy Cities recently retired CEO Joan Devlin I would encourage everyone to download the free downloadable book 👇🏼

The Northern Ireland Executive has now launched its Programme for Government 2024-2027, setting out its priorities for the years ahead. 🔗 See the document here: https://lnkd.in/eSPyyeqn This is a critical moment for health, well-being, and equity in #Belfast and across #NorthernIreland. At Belfast Healthy Cities, we welcome the focus on improving lives and delivering real, meaningful change, but we also want to ensure that #HealthEquity is at the heart of these plans moving forward. Health inequalities aren’t just about healthcare. They are shaped by where we live, the opportunities we have, and the support available to us. Issues like access to green spaces, active travel, safe housing, and quality education and employment all impact our well-being. If we are serious about creating a healthier, more equitable Belfast, we must ensure that policies across all departments work together to reduce inequalities. Health is fundamental to everyone’s well-being and this Programme for Government provides a chance to prioritise health and well-being. People who enjoy good health are generally happier, have better mental health, and can lead more fulfilling lives. A focus on health leads to better quality of life, reducing suffering from often preventable diseases. As a World Health Organization healthy city, Belfast Healthy Cities will continue to advocate for cross-government action to tackle health inequalities and work to ensure that this Programme for Government delivers real change. We will be engaging with policymakers, community leaders, and the sector to make sure that health remains a top priority.

Sustrans is now recruiting schools for the Active School Travel Programme for the 2025-26 school year. Applications can be downloaded here: https://lnkd.in/effyXm_f - or by contacting schoolsNI@sustrans.org.uk. The deadline for applications is 2nd May 2025.   Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel is also coming up next month, from 24th March to 4th April. It’s the UK’s biggest walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling to school challenge. It’s open to all schools and free to take part, with lots of great resources and prizes on offer. Schools can sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gHhQyEm6