September is Irish Heart Month, and this year the campaign is focusing upon stroke prevention.  Over 2,000 people under 65 have a stroke each year, but the good news is that 80% of premature strokes are preventable.  By making small changes to your lifestyle you can reduce your chances of having a stroke both now and in the future.  Find out what you can do to avoid having a stroke by visiting: www.irishheart.ie/campaigns/strike-stroke

The Laurence Trust invites you to a ‘Chill Out and Laugh’ evening on Wednesday 27th September 2017 in The Blackbox, Belfast.  This event will provide: ‘lite bites’ of alternative therapies; information on courses being run by Belfast Met that give people an opportunity to proactively channel energies into an enjoyable hobby or pastime; leisure activities to participate in.  The main attraction is a young man called Dave Chawner from London who suffered an Eating Disorder.  Dave is now a regular Edinburgh Fringe Festival comedian who has turned his mental health issues into a comedy show which highlights the issues people face and how he has overcome them.  His motivational routine is well worth hearing. Families of sufferers are very welcome.

Monday 11th September 2017 marks the beginning of Migraine Awareness Week in Ireland.  This week seeks to highlight awareness of the debilitating nature of the neurological disorder that is migraine.  This is a condition which badly affects both men and women.  The Migraine Association of Ireland is running a range of events and activities to mark this occasion, and details can be found at: www.migraine.ie/migraine-action-week-2017

Cancer Focus Northern Ireland invites you to apply for a free place at their 2017 Men’s Health Conference.  This will take place on Wednesday 27th September 2017, from 9.15am to 1.30pm, in the Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim.  The event will focus upon integrating mental, social and physical wellbeing for men.  To register, or for further information on this event, contact Denise Bownes by email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Institute of Public Health in Ireland and partners (Department of Health [NI], Department of Health [RoI], Public Health Agency, Centre of Excellence for Public Health NI and the Health Service Executive) are organising a free one day conference on Wednesday 15th November 2017 to share learning and facilitate discussion on what works in public health in Ireland, North and South.  The aim of the conference is to provide an open platform to: share learning in public health policies and programmes; provide networking opportunities both inside and outside public health; present personal development opportunities; promote greater use of resources; provide all-Ireland networking and sharing.  To find out more or to book a place, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/working-together-for-better-health-wellbeing-understanding-what-works-tickets-36923074911

The number of male family carers in Northern Ireland is rising and, currently, around 42% of family carers are male.  Ulster University is conducting research into the experience of men who are at home looking after a spouse/partner who is living with a long-term illness or disability.  The researcher, Anne Fee (PhD Student), is recruiting male participants for the current phase of the study which comprises one-to-one interviews about their experience of caring for their spouse/partner.  Interviews will last around one hour, and will be conducted at home or in a local day centre.  If necessary, expenses can be provided to arrange alternative care while the interview is taking place, and all participants will be offered a £20 voucher in recognition of their time.  For further information about the study, or to register interest to be interviewed, contact Anne Fee at Tel: 0790 7579875, or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative (HaPAI) Team has opened the call for applications to the 'Community Intervention to Increase Physical Activity Levels in Adults Over 50 Years of Age in Ireland' programme.  This award is co-funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies and the HSE Health and Wellbeing Division.  It is a two-step process involving an Expression of Interest (Step 1) and Full Application for successful Expression of Interest applicants (Step 2).  The closing date for receipt of Step 1 applications is Wednesday 20th September 2017 at 4.30pm.  For informal queries, contact: Mary Clare O’Hara, Research Call Lead, HSE Health and Wellbeing Division at Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.