Get Active Keep Well

About:

Getting into activity or exercise can be hard particularly during the current pandemic when motivation levels might be low or you just dont know where to start! Gyms are closed, there are no classes and there is so much online content that its hard to know what is right for you.  This session is aimed at anyone who is looking to start a new exercise/physical activity routine for 2021 and is looking for some tips and advice on how to get started. 

Facilitator Bio:

A native of West Limerick, but now in Cork for a greater part of my life. Health & fitness is a way of life for me & I’m so glad to say also a career. 17years in the fitness industry working full time & part time now. Originally qualified as a gym instructor & personal trainer & now also tutor for the National Training Centre. Water Aerobics, Spinning, Pilates Lev 1,2 & 3 as well as a 2.5 year yoga qualification have opened my eyes to some of the modalities in which we can be active. Having experience working with all ages/fitness levels including neurological conditions & brain injuries. There is nothing more certain right now, that health is wealth.  For me triathlons have kept me focused over the past few years. Looking forward to entering a race in 2021 or 2022 when races return & baby number 2 is born!

About: 

Keeping ourselves well physically and mentally is very important at the moment especially during this third lockdown. While we know being physically active and getting out for at least 30 mins a day or developing some sort of routine can enhance our  health and wellbeing, we have required the support of Prof. Daniel Flynn and his colleagues at Cork Kerry Community Healthcare to share some vital information and supports that are available locally for people and their families during this time. 

“COVID-19 has changed how we think, how we feel and how we act day to day. Routines have changed, our children are home from school, many adults have had to work from home, and many have lost their jobs. People have been ill and some have been experienced the emotional pain of bereavement. We want to ensure that, at the current time, we do everything we can to support people in our community as the cope with these new difficult new realities,” Prof. Daniel Flynn. 

Facilitator Bios:

Prof. Daniel Flynn is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland and Principal Psychology Manager co-ordinating Adult and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Psychology Services in the Health Service Executive (HSE) across counties Cork and Kerry, Ireland. He is an Adjunct Professor at the School of Applied Psychology University College Cork (UCC), Ireland. He has accumulated over 20 years experience of working in mental health services. His clinical interests are in working with individuals who struggle to regulate emotions and engage in high risk self harm behaviours and considering the impact of these behaviours on families and systems. In recent years he has focused on considering not only intervention but prevention of mental health distress, looking at both mental health and school based populations. He is the originator of the PSYCHED Initiative working with Cork Health Cities and partner agencies to promote mental health and wellbeing  in workplaces and communities across the city and county.

Dr Rosarie Crowley is a clinical psychologist who graduated from UCD in 2010. She has worked with the HSE in primary care in Cork City with adults since 2013. As well as working one to one with her clients, she regularly delivers a six week program called Stress Control to large audiences in communities across Cork City and county. She also delivers public talks on topics such as mindfulness in libraries across the city and county. She works closely with the libraries on a programme called Your Good Self. This programme highlights books and other resources available in your local library on mental health topics for all ages that have been recommended and reviewed by HSE psychologists.

Judy Wall is a Senior Clinical Psychologist based at St Finbarr’s Hospital who works with Older Adults and their families. She has been working as part of a mental health team for older adults in Cork for almost 20 years, having previously worked in similar services in London. She has particular interests in compassion focussed therapy and mindfulness as well as working with groups of family carers of people with a dementia. She firmly believes in the power of people telling their stories and that age is not a barrier to change.

Ella Lovett has been working as a Clinical Psychologist in various CAMHS teams (Kilkenny/Carlow/South Tipp, Dublin & Cork) for the last 25years and has been based in North Cork CAMHS in Mallow for the last 14years. In addition to this she has worked as Principal Psychologist in CAMHS for Cork & Kerry for the last 4 years, meaning that she has operational responsibility for Psychologists in CAMHS across 10 CAMHS teams as well as the regional eating disorder team (CAREDS) and the adolescent inpatient unit Eist Linn. CAMHS is a multidisciplinary service that works with young people from 0-18years and their families with moderate to severe mental health problems. CAMHS offers a wide range of assessments and interventions. Ella has a special interest in the development of early attachment relationships and how these can mediate the effects of trauma and boost mental health. Among others, Ella is involved in delivering attachment focused parenting interventions such as Circle of Security and Attachment Based Family Therapy. She is also very involved in delivering the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy programme to teens and family members. She is the mother of 3 teens!

Being active is vitally important across all ages and an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Older people that take part in regular exercise enjoy many health benefits. Exercise can improve mood, self-esteem and overall mental health. Exercise helps maintain muscle strength so you can continue to perform everyday tasks, help manage your weight, improve heart and lung health and keep your joints healthy. Physical activity can also improve balance and co-ordination which may reduce your risk of falling or tripping over. Not doing any exercise can be unhealthy no matter what age you are. Any amount of physical activity is better than none at all. The more  active you are, the greater the benefits to your health. 

Chartered Physiotherapists Fiona O Shea and Teresa Twohig working in the community setting in Cork have developed a fantastic resource, ‘Fit to Flourish’. This resource takes a holistic approach to health, looking at the “whole person”, looking at physical activity and other lifestyle factors that impact on one’s health & wellbeing such as healthy eating, sleep and stress. We are delighted to have both Fiona and Teresa facilitate our Keeping Active as we get Older session. You can request a hard copy of this resource by emailing; fionam.oshea@hse.ie

Facilitator Bios:

Fiona O Shea Chartered Physiotherapist. MISCP MSc. Senior Physiotherapist North South Lee PCC

Fiona graduated from the University of Limerick in 2007 with an honours degree in Physiotherapy. Since qualifying Fiona has worked extensively in both acute and primary care settings where she has gained invaluable experience. Fiona is working in community physiotherapy in Cork since 2009.

Fiona has a keen interest in health promotion, exercise prescription and rehabilitation for her patients. Fiona is passionate about rehabilitating her patients to their full potential and educating her clients so that they can achieve their goals, long term.  

Fiona is a chartered physiotherapist who is a member of both the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) and CORU (Health and Social Care Professional Regulatory Body)

Fiona has always placed a significant emphasis on her own professional development. In 2012, Fiona completed a Masters in Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy in University College Dublin. Fiona continues to have a passion for learning and continued professional development. This is highlighted by her regular attendance at courses, conferences and webinars. Fiona is an affiliated clinical educator with the University of Limerick and is passionate about educating the physiotherapists of the future.

Teresa Twohig, Chartered Physiotherapist, MISCP.  Senior physiotherapist North South Lee PCC

Teresa graduated from University College Dublin in 1992 with an honours degree in Physiotherapy. Since then Teresa has worked in both acute and primary care settings where she gained broad experience. Teresa is working in Community Physiotherapy in Cork since 2000.

Teresa‘s areas of interest are neurology,   strengthening and conditioning and fatigue management.  Teresa encourages and runs several  exercise group’s  and believes strongly in patient education.

Teresa is a chartered physiotherapist who is a member of both the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists – ISCP and CORU – Health and Social Care Regulatory Body.

Teresa believes in lifelong learning and attends numerous courses, conferences and webinars. Teresa is an affiliated clinical educator with the University of Limerick.

When planning a well-rounded exercise or activity program, it is important to understand the five components of physical fitness and how your training or the activity routine you develop affects them. The components include: cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. In general, achieving an adequate level of fitness in all five categories is essential to good health.

Facilitator Bio:

Mark McManus, LeisureWorld Cork; Mark has worked in the sports science, fitness and academic field for 20 years. His unparalleled understanding of the demand for performance was forged during a career the has seen him specialise in sports science support, working with professional and amateur teams and individuals. Mark’s experience in managing fitness and leisure facilities has provided him with exceptional insights into large scale and individual public exercise provision. 

Marks current role as Head of Business Development with LW Management includes program development and strategic partnerships with organisations to promote and develop physical activity opportunities for all sectors of the community. Mark has worked with Cork Sports Partnership over the last number of years to develop a number of community initatives that seek to benefit the health and wellbeing of many demographics in the community, Project Weightloss, Rebel Run Series, Couch 25k Programmes, Teen Health & Fitness to name but  few. 

Eating foods that are good for you and staying physically active may help you reach and maintain a healthy weight and improve how you feel. You also may find that moving more and eating better could help you keep up with the demands of your busy life and be there for the people who depend on you.

Eating healthier foods and being active have similar effects on our health. These include:

• Reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and some cancers and associated disabilities
• Prevent weight gain and/or promote weight loss
• Improve overall well-being

Facilitator Bio:

Fiona Rush, Senior community Dietitian with HSE, Cork Kerry community healthcare.

Fiona has 18 years experience supporting people in Cork with healthy eating working both in nutrition health promotion to support healthy schools/ communities etc. as well as providing a quality dietetic service in primary care for various medical conditions including weight management, bowel issues, heart health, diabetes, etc.

Engaging children in play allows them to explore, identify, negotiate, take risks and create meaning – it can help shape the structural design of the brain, by building and strengthening brain pathways. Playing is central to children’s physical, mental, social and emotional health and wellbeing. Children learn through play while developing resilience, flexibility and understanding of their world. Play in families enriches childhood. All children and young people have a right to play. 

Cork Sports Partnership in conjunction with Cork Healthy Cities and members of the URBACT ULG local group; Foroige, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Cork City Libraries, Young Knocknaheeny, and Healthy Ireland have developed “Let’s Play Cork” a series of play initiatives and projects for the people of Cork.

Facilitator Bio:

Grace Walsh– Senior Oral Language Development Officer (Senior Speech & Language Therapist) & Acting Lead Interdisciplinary Team; Let’s Grow Together! Infant & Childhood Partnership, Cork City.