A sense of Wellbeing at the YMCA

The Mayor Of Derry Cllr Martin Reilly pictured at the YMCA Drumahoe, during the Health & Wellbeing Through The Arts Project, funded by the P.H.A, with seated from left, Hilary McClintock (Drumahoe Community Ressidents), Linda Watson (Caw & Nelson Drive Action Group), Hilary Parke (Public Health Agency) & Niree McMorris (Irish Street Ressidents Group). Standing from left, Betty O'Reilly (Clooney Estate), Alison Wallace (Waterside Neighbour Partnership), Gareth Lamrock (YMCA), Julie Kee (Tullyalley Ressidents Group) & Karen Mulan (Hillcrest House). (DJ-0703-GMI-10)

The groups got together for a showcase event at Drumahoe YMCA.

Funding for the entire enterprise came from the Public Health Agency, through an application from members of Caw Nelson Drive Action Group. The Waterside groups taking part were: Caw Nelson Drive Action Group, Hillcrest House, Tullyally Community Partnership, Irish Street Community Association, Clooney Residents Association, Drumahoe Community Association and the YMCA, all of whom co-hosted the event and took part in the showcase with their own individual projects.

Irish Street and Tullyally did a quilting project, while Hillcrest House and the Clooney team chose crochet; Drumahoe Community Association held a Senior Citizens Tea Dance, while the YMCA did a photography project and CNDAG chose music - namely Sing Tonicity.

For the showcase event everybody staged a display of their projects and CNDAG joined up with Momentum Choir from Ballymagoarty and members of the Pink Ladies choir to perform on the day.

Co-ordinator at CNDAG, Linda Watson said: “It was great to see all the groups in Waterside working together on a project of this magnitude. The final showcase event was a credit to all the groups that took part, especially when you saw the work on display. You cannot underestimate the benefits to a person’s mental, physical and emotional health and wellbeing that the arts play, and we are indebted to the PHA for the funding.”