‘Bressie’ to deliver keynote speech on resilience at Longford Community Safety & Wellbeing Expo

‘Bressie’ to deliver keynote speech on resilience at Longford Community Safety & Wellbeing Expo
Community engagement event to enhance sense of safety and wellbeing

Press Release
27 September 2023

Community engagement programmes Longford Community Safety Partnership (LCSP), Sláintecare Healthy Communities (SCHC), Healthy Longford(HL) and Longford Sports Partnership, facilitated by Longford County Council, are delighted to announce details of the first ever Longford Community Safety and Wellbeing Expo taking place on Thursday, 5 October.

The event will include an exhibition of services and supports available in County Longford, as well as a range of talks and presentations, all designed to help enhance our community’s sense of safety and wellbeing.

This event is being hosted by these key community engagement programmes of Longford County Council in the new Longford Sports Hub (Longford Athletics Club) on the grounds of St Mel’s College from 10am – 3pm.

Community Safety is about being safe, and more importantly feeling safe, with an individual’s sense of safety also feeding into their personal wellbeing, on a physical, mental, and financial level.  

A more detailed list of the interactive exhibits, demonstrations, talks, information stands and resources available on the day is included below. Highlights will include a keynote speech on the topic of resilience from Niall Breslin ‘Bressie’ at 11am. The Garda mounted unit, dog unit and forensic scenes of crime units will all be present, with a scheduled fly-by of the Garda Air Support helicopter also to feature.

As well as all of that, the HSE will have a range of informative health and resource related services present on the day, while people can learn the basics of CPR with Civil Defence and Try a Sport with one of Longford Sports Partnership’s Taster Sessions.

In addition, there will be information available on the Longford Text Alert app, crime prevention, youth services and the Longford Property Marking Initiative.

The partnership event is a direct result of public feedback gathered from projects and initiatives undertaken by each of these engagement programmes over the last two years. A key message has consistently emerged around a lack of knowledge on how to access existing services and supports.

Welcoming the event, Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Colm Murray said, “I am delighted to support this expo in its work to help communities feel safer and to help them enhance their own sense of well-being in every way. Congratulations to all of the programmes involved.”

Chief Executive of Longford County Council Paddy Mahon added, “Longford County Council is committed to continuing to facilitate the work that these engagement programmes do for this county. Not only do they enhance the health and safety of people living in our communities, but they also support the social side of things helping make our towns and villages vibrant hubs full of life and activity.”

Janine Bartley, Community Safety Coordinator with Longford LCSP said: “This Expo is a great opportunity for us to showcase the projects and interventions we have developed over the last two years, addressing safety issues highlighted to us by communities across Longford. Collaboration and partnership are what our programme is based on, and it’s heartening to see so many of our project partners attending. I encourage all community groups, Transition Year students, and members of the older Longford community to come along, there is something to do and advice available for everyone on the day.”

Breda Greaves, Healthy Ireland Coordinator said: “Healthy Ireland promotes and supports healthy behaviours for all age groups in our community through various initiatives. This offers people with long-term health conditions the support they require to live to their full potential.”

Donal Mulligan, Sláintecare Healthy Communities Development Officer said, “This event supports our aim of helping to improve the overall health and quality of life of our community members. It will showcase a wide range of health-related services, resources, and activities designed to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.”

This event is open to the public, however, groups are urged to register their attendance, particularly for the talks, so that numbers can be facilitated. To register, email communitysafety@longfordcoco.ie as soon as possible, to receive information on bus/drop off arrangements.

As there will be no parking available at the venue on the day, members of the public are advised to park at The Mall Complex, St Mel’s Cathedral Carpark or at Longford Shopping Centre – all of these locations are within five minutes’ walk of the event.

For further information, check out Longfordcoco.ie or follow Longford County Council and Longford Local Community Safety Partnership on social media.