A Healthy Start for the 'Be Safe Be Well' Programme

The project is helping to bridge the gap between older and young people in the Limavady area. The logo was chosen from a number of entries submitted by Drumachose Primary School pupils. There were two joint winners both reflecting the apple image which the new logo incorporates. Katlyn MacNicol and Gregory McCracken submitted their designs to a competition which the Be Safe Be Well staff ran throughout the Borough to encourage community ownership of the new Programme. The winners were presented with goody bags, and eight runners up were also given a consolation prize. Commenting on the new logo, Catherine Walsh, Be Safe Be Well Project Coordinator said: "We were delighted with the winning apple designs, which reflect the healthy lifestyle theme of the programme.The logo also features six distinct slices in the apple to highlight the six projects which we will be rolling out over the next five years.

"A big part of our project is encouraging older and younger people in the area to get involved in activities together which is why we worked with local pupils to design the logo."

The children's teacher Mrs Pauline Simpson said; "I'm really impressed that the children took such an interest in this initiative and thought carefully about their competition entries. They're "over the moon" with their prizes!'

Ageing Well Roe Valley recently secured a 1 million Big Lottery Fund grant to develop the Be Safe Be Well Programme. As the name suggests, the 'Be Safe, Be Well 'programme will promote safer and healthier communities in the Limavady Borough Council area, by supporting some of the area's most vulnerable older people. The Programme is targeted at the vulnerable and elderly people living in the rural areas of Limavady Borough. Isolated and 'seldom heard' people will benefit from projects aimed to make them feel more safe, secure and less vulnerable in their homes.The programme will provide them with advice, as well encouraging them to

make healthier lifestyle choices. An additional focus, will be to draw older and younger together to share their life experiences and to break down barriers, in fun and innovative ways. The Chairman of the Be Safe Be Well Committee, Norman Somerville explained;

"The Programme staff and committee are currently developing six projects with four community 'hubs' throughout Limavady. Their input, combined with the feedback from the twenty Ageing Well Roe Valley older peoples groups, will help to create new and innovative projects to reach needy people. The four hub partners are Foreglen Community Association, Ageing Well Roe Valley, Greysteel Community Association and Glenshane Community Association."

He added: "We are delighted to see the Be Safe Be Well programme taking shape and look forward to formally launching the programme shortly."

The Be Safe Be Well programme will be launched on the 8th of December 2010. A number of pilot intergenerational projects currently running throughout the Borough, will be showcasing music, drama and dance pieces at the launch event. The Northern Ireland Director of the Big Lottery Fund, Joanne McDowell, will formally launch the programme at the event. The Be Safe Be Well staff will be releasing information regarding the six projects as they rollout throughout the Borough. In the meantime, further information regarding the Be Safe Be Well programme can be obtained from Catherine Walsh, Project Coordinator, or Edel Mullan, Office Support Worker, on 028 777 65656. You will also find the Be Safe Be Programme on Facebook and Twitter.