Community Development and Health Course

Story: Clarete Zvoushe & Fran O’key | Photo: Fran O’key

The ICDH course is about teaching people how to make small changes to improve their own health and the health of their families and community. It ran at Pye Bank School every Thursday for 15 weeks.

It gives people knowledge of their local services, and how to use those services in different situations. It gives them confidence on how to deal with problems they might face when using the services and not just to take everything at face value but to look at the situation and try and bring out the good in it.

As a result two students have launched their project called ‘Positive Choices’ whereby they go around local schools giving talks to parents and teachers about healthy eating and exercise for themselves and their children. They have had fantastic feedback from teachers and parents and have been invited to more schools to give their talk. Because of this one of them is planning to set up his own sports and coaching business.

Here's what some of the participants said:

“ICDH has been a memorable course. It has given me a clearer insight into health and wellbeing. I have shared some emotional and educational information and learnt a great deal from all the other people on the course. It has been a great experience. Everyone should try it!”

“ICDH has given me a greater insight into the things that are missing in the community and how we could make changes and generally help build on things. It has given me a greater focus to help others.”

"ICDH has made me recognise my skills and inspired me to go on and do lots more to help me and my community.”

The group, tutors and the course material were all brilliant, we had pretty good discussions sometimes emotional ones and we have learnt more from each other.

We want to tell you if you have a chance to do this course, do it! And you will be grateful that you have done it.