The Old Library Trust, as part of their Community in Transition Project hosted an event at Sean Dolans GAC that brought the conversation of addiction to the forefront with established sportsperson, former Gaelic player, Oisin McConville who shared his experience of addiction.
Following on from last year’s successful event in highlighting the impact of addiction, the Old Library Trust aimed this year’s event to connect and raise awareness with the youth and invited the senior pupils of local secondary schools and further education to attend Wednesday’s event.
Both the Old Library Trust and Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum were delighted to see the event received so well, by local schools Foyle College Senior School, St Cecilia’s College, Oak Grove, St Joseph’s Boys Schools, and the Steven Gerrard Academy.
Speaking at event, Project coordinator said, – The importance of these events is that they will provide a safe environment to openly discuss and listen to the impact that poor mental health and addiction can have on an individual’s life and by doing so we can provide an opportunity for people to seek support.
The project, was part of a health and wellbeing initiative led by the Old Library Trust’s Healthy Living Centre in Creggan, partnered, and supported by the Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum and funded by the Executive Office’s ‘Communities in Transition’ project.
The initiative aims to support communities to become more resilient by addressing a key issue associated with poor physical and mental health – Addiction – an issue that has been highlighted within the local area with negative impacts on individuals and families.
