The Laois Connects initiative took place throughout Laois from October 7 to 13, promoting health and wellbeing in 2024.
The week saw a varied programme of events around mental and physical health with activities for all ages.
This year’s theme was “connecting” and throughout the week, activities were provided which helped people to connect with themselves, others, music, nature, sport, craft and much more.
The benefits of connecting are proven and there were plenty of opportunities to do just this throughout Laois during the week.
For lovers of music and dance there was a performance by the Sing for Joy Choir and Sequence Dancing lessons in Portlaoise while Jiving lessons commenced in Crettyard.
Getting out and active is also so important and activities were provided for all ages and abilities with Laois Sports Partnership providing Fun Days for all abilities, chair yoga, Pilates, and even aqua aerobics.
The sports section of Laois County Council provided Chi Walking activities in Portlaoise, Portarlington, Abbeyleix and Stradbally.
The benefits of our wide-open spaces were outlined with the Laois Climate Action team providing a wellness walk around the wonderful Emo Court on World mental Health Day on October 10.
Participants were guided by Neil Dennehy of Well Walks and were shown and encouraged to use all the senses to get the most from their walks.
The Laois Public Participation Network (PPN) chose the Glenbarrow walking trail as their location to experience another side of the county which takes you back to nature.
The need to turn off the noise of life and concentrate on one thing at a time only was highlighted through connecting with craft activities such as willow weaving and ceramics in Portlaoise,
Mountrath, and Mountmellick.
Dunamaise Arts centre hosted a movie screening of Irish movie ‘The Sparrow’ for transition-year students.
The writer and director of the movie, Michael Kinirons, joined the students after the movie to discuss the making of the movie and the themes within it.
There was a question-and-answer session with students asking some very insightful questions of him.
Dunamaise also hosted Bressie with his live podcast ‘Where is my Mind’, where Dr Eddie Murphy joined him.
Other events during the week including a mindfulness workshop at Portlaoise Family resource centre, sound meditation at Portlaoise Library, a ‘Minding your mental health’ event in
Mountmellick with the HSE, Social Prescribing Laois and GROW mental health.
Laois Connects 2024 also saw the official launch of Ógra Live Well Expo, which will take place in November and will highlight all the supports and services available to young people in Laois to help
improve their health and wellbeing.
Laois Connects has been a cornerstone of the community since 2013, promoting awareness of mental health, physical health, and emotional wellbeing.
The initiative aims to reduce stigma and
encourage support at all levels.
SEE ALSO – Martina Mulhall: Helping current Sixth Class students choose subjects for Junior Cycle
