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18 | Inform Winter 2017 Inform Winter 2017 | 19 Improvingplaces Work begins at North Fermanagh Valley Park Construction work is underway to transform the former site of the Duke of Westminster secondary school in Kesh and to upgrade a community facility in Ederney. The work in Kesh will include a new park with mountain bike and running tracks, walking trails, community green and events space while in Ederney works include a new community gym building with a range of equipment. The transformation of these spaces has been made possible with a £1 million grant from the Big Lottery Fund’s Space and Place Programme. The Council’s Community services team supported Ederney Community Development Trust and Kesh Community Development Trust to submit their successful funding application to the Big Lottery Fund. The North Fermanagh Valley Park project was just one of three projects in Northern Ireland that were successful in securing £1 million funding and to be awarded flagship project status. In addition to the new park and community gym facility, a programme of activities will also take place over the coming months to promote shared working and shared spaces between the communities of Ederney and Kesh. Our Community Services team continues to provide support to the two partner development trusts as they work together to transform the former school site in Kesh and community facility in Ederney. It is anticipated that construction works will be complete next summer. Final phase of RiversideWalk Work will soon begin on the final phase of the Riverside Walk and Cycle Path in Omagh. This phase will involve extending the existing Riverside Walk and Cycle Path by a further 950 metres to create a continuous 2.4 kilometre walk and cycle path along the River Strule. A new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists connecting the path to the town centre will also be constructed. The Riverside Walk and Cycle Path project is funded by the Council and the Landfill Communities Fund administered by Ulster Wildlife. The newly built West End Community Centre in Enniskillen opened its doors in October. The purpose-built community centre, which is located on what was an under-utilised community space in the area, provides a modern permanent facility for the community groups that form the West End Partnership to deliver a programme of activities for all age groups - in particular older people who make up a substantial proportion of the West End population. These activities previously took place at a temporary venue. A place to call home - new community centre opens its doors A programme for local young people will also be developed providing personal development and intergenerational projects. Facilities at the West End Community Centre are also available for hire. The project was made possible with funding of almost £357,000 from the Department for Communities and over £108,000 from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. For further information please contact a member of the Community Services team on 0300 303 1777. Health&Wellbeing A conversation about organ donation Approximately 7,000 people require an organ transplant annually in the United Kingdom. There is a real shortage of organ donations and unfortunately every year around 14 people in Northern Ireland die waiting for an organ transplant. We are working with the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) to raise awareness of the need for families and friends to have a conversation around their wishes in relation to organ donation. This is because after your death, your next of kin will be consulted on whether your organs can be donated, even if you carry a donor card. Any decision they make will be respected. When families or friends know the wishes of their loved ones it can give them the confidence to fulfil your wish to be an organ donor. Register today and share your decision with those closest to you: • Register online at www.organdonation.nhs.uk • Telephone the N.H.S. Donor Line 0300 123 23 23 We have been working in partnership with Dementia NI, Alzheimer’s Society and South West Age Partnership to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of dementia and to encourage people to visit their GP if they have concerns. Approximately 30% of people living with dementia in the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) area remain undiagnosed with the disease. Assessment by a GP or the memory assessment service is important to rule out other common treatable problems which can affect memory, while a diagnosis leads to a pathway which provides information, care and support services. For more information and advice please visit your GP or contact theWestern Trust Dementia Navigator Gemma O’Brien on 07585 998 890 . Do you know the signs and symptoms of dementia? Organ donors save lives. Join the NHS Organ Donor Register today. Register today and share your decision with those closest to you. organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23 NHSOrganDonor OPS032 A4cardinhand3.indd 1 05/07/2017 16:27:05 Council Chairman, Cllr Stephen McCann (centre) with Dr. Michael Wardlow, Equality Commission (second from right) with the Council Mental Health Champions, (from l-r) Cllrs Raymond Farrell, Patricia Rogers and Anne Marie Fitzgerald. Council champions for Mental Health With mental ill health one of the largest causes of ill health and disability locally the Council has appointed Councillors Raymond Farrell, Anne Marie Fitzgerald and Patricia Rogers as Mental Health Champions to raise awareness of and address mental health issues within the district. The Council has also signed up to the Mental Health Charter - a joint project between the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, Action Mental Health, Change Your Mind, Disability Action, the Mental Health Foundation, MindWise and Northern Ireland Association of Mental Health – to demonstrate our commitment to improving the working lives of employees experiencing mental ill health and ensuring Council services are accessible for all.