The Mayor of the Metropolitan District of Waterford, Cllr. Eamon Quinlan was joined by Waterford Marine Search and Rescue to launch Kind Waterford project, an initiative of Mayor’s Health Week 2016, taking place from 7th – 14th May.
The aim of Kind Waterford is to encourage kindness as a means of promoting and raising awareness of positive mental health and wellbeing and reducing the stigma attached to mental health issues and ultimately support emotional resilience in our communities. This project aims to raise the energy of Waterford City and County by focusing on the benefits of kindness – where we treat ourselves and others with kindness and promote positive mental health and well-being.
Throughout April, during the build up to Mayor’s Health Week, preschools, primary and secondary schools and community groups are invited to put together a project, in any medium, showing how kindness can improve our mental health and wellbeing and how we can be kind to ourselves and others in our communities for their chance to win a ‘Buddy Bench’.
Speaking about the initiative Cllr. Quinlan said ‘this is our opportunity show those that we do business with and those that visit Waterford that we serious about promoting positive mental health and well-being and of taking care of ourselves and our community. He also added that he was delighted to be part of such an initiative and he hoped that all the communities of Waterford would come together and get involved. He asked that everyone, during April, to treat themselves and others with kindness and tell us all about it on social media using the hash tag #kindwaterford.
Cllr. Quinlan also wanted to acknowledge the contribution made by the many volunteers in Waterford, such as those involved in Waterford Marine Search and Rescue, who work tirelessly to promote our well-being. Waterford Marine Search and Rescue were established in 2010 and provide Waterford city and county with a 24 hour, 365 days-a-year search, rescue and recovery service. Staffed entirely by volunteers they also carry out suicide prevention patrol on the River Suir every weekend. Since they were established 24 people have been rescued from the waters of the River Suir and 70 people have been prevented from entering the river with the intention of taking their life.
For further information about the Kind Waterford project and to register for the competition contact the Healthy Waterford Coordinator Kate Moloney on 0761 10 2639 or kmoloney@waterfordcouncil.ie or see www.healthywaterford.ie and www.facebook.com/kindwaterford