1. ‘Active’ Partnership
Séamus Mullen
Pubic Health Agency

2. Outline
Partnership Working to achieve 2
Programmes:
• Active Families Programme
• Health Promoting Homes
Future Direction:
• Joint Working Arrangements

3. • Developed by Western IFH Adulthood and Teenage
Transition sub groups delivered by PHA/Local
Councils/Community sector
• University of Ulster Research – parallel problem
• Role Modelling Methodology
• 12 week programme – must have parents and teenager
involved
• 14 Active Families Trainers based in community setting

4. Pilot Phase:
• Parents show positive shift in perceptions of their level
of fitness
• Young people:
– Positive shift in morning eating habits/fruit consumption/water intake
– More emotionally positive
– Self-esteem raised
• Strong correlation between parents reported behaviour
and youths perceptions – understanding increased
through programme
• Year 2 changed method of engagement

5. Health Promoting Homes
• Targets prevention of obesity in children
• Integrated approach – personal development/nutrition/
physical activity
• Family setting
• More than 500 families participating to date
• Surestart/HLC Delivery Mechanism
• Winner of OFMDFM Best Practice in the Public Sector for Partnership
Working
• Won HPSS/Institute of Healthcare Management Award for Partnership
Working in 2007

6. Outcomes
Evaluation has shown that:
• Families remain engaged in physical activity and
healthy eating habits
• Partnership working enabled effective targeting
• Flexible framework enabled local adaptability and
encouraged ownership
• Lifestyle improvements validate holistic approach

7. Value of partnership
Referral mechanism
– Local knowledge
– Existing databases of vulnerable, disadvantaged
and hard to engage participants
Genuine community buy-in
Creation of local delivery Partnerships

8. Challenges/Opportunities
• Need to integrate programmes
• Adverse economic climate is an opportunity
• Stocktake of physical activity initiatives
• Gap analysis and joint promotion/common
corporate agendas
• A ‘Total Place’ Approach?