Wicklow Traveller Primary Health Care Project

29/09/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=196QKBNoNQgface

🧓👵 Falls Are Preventable – Let’s Stay Together! 🛑🚶‍♂️
Did you know that 1 in 4 older adults experiences a fall each year? Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospital visits for seniors, but the good news is—they’re largely preventable!

Here are 6 simple steps to help older adults stay safe and independent:
1️⃣ Stay Active – Join a balance and strength exercise program like Tai Chi or Otago. Movement builds confidence and stability.
2️⃣ Talk to Your Doctor – Share any falls or near-falls. A fall risk assessment can help tailor prevention strategies.
3️⃣ Review Your Medications – Some meds cause dizziness or drowsiness. Regular reviews can reduce side effects.
4️⃣ Check Your Vision & Hearing – Sensory changes affect balance. Annual checkups are key.
5️⃣ Make Your Home Safer – Remove clutter, improve lighting, and install grab bars in bathrooms and stairways.
6️⃣ Lean on Loved Ones – Talk to family and friends about fall risks. Support makes prevention easier.

Helpful tips for older adults on improving their balance and strength in their own home to help them avoid falls. Find out more at: www.nidirect.gov.uk/stay-...

26/09/2025

🍼 Tummy Time = Happy, Healthy Baby! 💪
Tummy time helps your baby build strong neck, back & shoulder muscles — and it’s never too early to start!
👶 Try these easy ideas:
✨ Tummy-to-tummy snuggles
✨ Eye-level play with a rolled-up blanket
✨ Across your lap after feeds
✨ Carry baby tummy-down
✨ 1–2 mins during each nappy change
✅ Always supervise
✅ Use a firm, flat surface
❌ Never let baby sleep on their tummy
Let’s help our little ones grow strong from day one! 💚

24/09/2025

💔 Grief Is Heavy — But You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone
This Mental Health Month, we’re thinking about grief — the pain we feel when we lose someone we love.
In our community, many families have lost loved ones too soon. Illness and early death are sadly common, and the sadness can feel too big to carry.
🧠 Grief affects our minds, our bodies, and our hearts.
It can make us feel tired, angry, lonely, or confused.
Sometimes we feel nothing at all — and that’s okay too.

💛 Ways to Look After Yourself When You’re Grieving:
✅ Talk to someone
You don’t have to say much. Just talking helps. A friend, neighbour, or support worker can listen.
✅ Rest when you can
Grief is tiring. It’s okay to take breaks and do less.
✅ Remember your loved one
Share stories, light a candle, or say a prayer. Keeping their memory alive can bring comfort.
✅ Let yourself feel
It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to laugh. There’s no “right” way to grieve.
✅ Ask for help
There are people who care. You are not alone.

💬 If you’re struggling, reach out.
We are here for each other.
Let’s support one another with kindness and care.

22/09/2025

💛 Simple Ways to Take Care of Yourself (Even When Life Is Hard)
You don’t need money or lots of time to look after your mind and body. These small steps can help you feel a little better every day.
🕐 Take Short Breaks

Sit down for a minute.
Breathe in and out slowly.
Close your eyes if you want. This helps calm your mind.

🚶‍♂️ Move Around

Go for a short walk, even just outside your door.
Stretch your arms and legs.
Moving helps your body and your mood.

🗣️ Talk to Someone

Speak to a friend, neighbour, or family member.
You don’t have to talk about everything — just saying hello helps.

🎶 Listen to Music

Play music you like. It can help you feel less alone.
Sing along if you want — it’s good for your heart.

🌳 Go Outside

Look at the sky, trees, or birds.
Fresh air and nature can help you feel better.

📝 Write or Draw

Use a pen and paper to write how you feel.
Or draw something — it doesn’t have to be perfect.

💬 Be Kind to Yourself

Say to yourself: “I’m doing my best.”
You matter. You deserve care.

21/09/2025

🧠 Traveller Mental Health Matters

We must talk about mental health!

Irish Travellers make up less than 1% of the population, yet account for 10% of young adult male su***des.
💔 Su***de rates are 6 times higher among Travellers than the general population.

📊 The reality:

90% of Travellers agree mental health problems are common in their community.
82% have been affected by su***de.
56% say poor physical and mental health limits daily life – compared to 24% of the general population.
62.7% of Traveller women and 59.4% of Traveller men report poor mental health in the past month – far higher than national averages.

📌 In prison, 39% of Travellers are being treated for mental health issues, and 81% are on prescription medication.
This is a mental health crisis rooted in isolation, stigma, discrimination, and lack of culturally appropriate support.

💡 What can we do?

Listen to Traveller voices.
Provide accessible, culturally sensitive mental health services.
Break the stigma.
Support community-led initiatives.

Let’s stand together to ensure mental health care is safe, inclusive, and effective for all.

17/09/2025

17/09/2025

🧡 World Patient Safety Day – 17 September 2025
👶 Theme: Safe care for every newborn and every child
Today we shine a light on the health and safety of our youngest and most vulnerable – especially within the Irish Traveller community.

📊 Did you know?

Nearly 50% of the Traveller population are children under 15.
Between 650–850 Traveller babies are born on the island of Ireland each year.
The infant mortality rate is 3.5 times higher than the general population.
1 in 10 Traveller children die before their second birthday.

🧬 The leading causes of death include:

Accidents
Congenital malformations
Inherited metabolic disorders

🔬 93 genetic disorders have been reported in the community, with 60 founder mutations.
The most common are:

Galactosemia (1 in 11 carriers)
Hurler Syndrome (1 in 11 carriers)
I-Cell Disease (1 in 15 carriers)

This crisis is driven by a complex mix of poverty, limited access to healthcare, stigma, and distrust. It’s time to change that.

💡 What can we do?

Advocate for equitable healthcare access
Support genetic screening and early intervention
Promote culturally sensitive care
Raise awareness and challenge stigma

Let’s stand together to ensure safe care for every newborn and every child – no matter their background.

16/09/2025

🧠💬 Talking Helps – Let’s Break the Silence Around Mental Health
Sometimes, the hardest part is starting the conversation. But talking about how we feel—whether it’s with a friend, family member, or a professional—can make a world of difference.
Sharing our thoughts doesn’t make us weak. It makes us human. It helps us feel heard, understood, and supported. Whether you're struggling or simply need to vent, opening up can lighten the load and lead to healing.
Let’s remind each other:
👉 You’re not alone.
👉 Your feelings are valid.
👉 Talking is a powerful first step.
If you’re reading this and need someone to talk to, reach out. Let’s keep the conversation going. 💙

16/09/2025

🟠 World Su***de Prevention Day – We’re Here for You 🟠
Today we remember: every life matters.
In the Travelling community, too many of us are hurting in silence. But you are not alone.
💔 Su***de rates in our community are 6 times higher than the general population.
💔 Young Traveller men are most at risk.
💔 Many feel they can’t talk. But talking helps. So does listening.
💚 Let’s look out for each other:

Be kind. Be gentle.
Ask: “Are you okay?”
Listen without judging.
Help people get support.
Share good times, good stories, and hope.

🗣️ Talking saves lives.
❤️ Listening saves lives.
🤝 Support saves lives.
📞 Need help? You can talk to:

Samaritans – 116 123 (free, 24/7)
Traveller Counselling Service – 086 308 1476
Pieta House – 1800 247 247

🌟 We are here to support you.
If you’re struggling, or worried about someone else, reach out.
We will listen. We will help. You are not alone.
Let’s stand together. Let’s protect each other.
Let’s build a future with hope, healing, and heart.
***dePreventionDay

16/09/2025

🍼 RSV & Babies – Protecting Little Lungs This Season 💙
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can be serious for babies and young children, especially during the colder months. If your child missed their routine immunisations or you're unsure about what they need, we’re here to help!
📍 Catch-Up Clinics Available Now
We have details of all local catch-up clinics — just call in and see us for advice, support, and appointments.
✅ No need to book
✅ Friendly team ready to help
✅ Keeping your little ones safe
Let’s work together to protect our community’s youngest members. 💪
For more info, pop in or ask out community outreach workers

16/09/2025

🚭 Smoking & Arthritis – What You Need to Know
If you have arthritis (like RA, PsA, axSpA, or lupus), smoking or va**ng can make your symptoms worse.

Why?

Smoking causes more inflammation – which means more pain, swelling, and damage to your joints.
It makes your medication less effective.
It weakens your bones, raising your risk of fractures.
It increases your chance of heart and lung problems – already a risk with arthritis.

Va**ng isn’t safe either. It still contains harmful chemicals and ni****ne, which can affect your lungs, heart, and stress levels.
Good news? Quitting helps!

✅ Less pain and stiffness
✅ Better results from treatment
✅ Stronger bones
✅ Better heart and lung health
✅ Improved mood and energy

Need help to quit?

Check out the HSE Quit Plan or visit Arthritis Ireland for support and stress tips.
💪 Every smoke-free day helps your body heal. You’ve got this!

Quitting smoking or va**ng is very hard, but it’s also one of the best things you can do for overall health and your arthritis condition. Learn more about smoking and arthritis by reading our recent blog: https://www.arthritisireland.ie/Blog/the-truth-about-smoking-what-people-with-arthritis-need-to-know

The benefits of quitting smoking for someone who lives with arthritis include:

➡️Reduced pain and inflammation: People often report less stiffness and better function within just weeks of quitting smoking.

➡️Reduced disease activity: Quitting smoking can lead to a decrease in disease activity.

➡️Improved heart and lung health: This is critical for people with autoimmune diseases who already face increased cardiovascular risks.