Health Equality and Wellbeing

Health equality means everyone can achieve good health, regardless of background. This requires addressing social factors like housing, education and employment, and empowering communities to shape their own wellbeing.

LDCN’s Role in Advancing Health Equality

Within the Local Development Companies Network (LDCN), health equality is a core strategic pillar. We work closely with the HSE, the Department of Health and other national stakeholders to ensure that population‑level strategies translate into practical, people‑centred action on the ground. Through continuous engagement with programme leads, we supply real‑time evidence on how initiatives are performing, where gaps persist, and which innovations merit scaling.

Knowledge exchange is driven by two key Communities of Practice: one for SICAP Managers (who integrate health into wider social‑inclusion work) and another dedicated to Health Equality & Wellbeing practitioners. These networks enable frontline staff to share learning, troubleshoot challenges and surface emerging trends that feed directly into policy discussions. Strategic oversight is provided by LDCN’s National Council, meeting quarterly to align local experience with national objectives.

How LDCs Deliver Locally

Local Development Companies (LDCs) embed health equality into every aspect of community development. Their teams of community health workers, outreach officers, tutors and social‑prescribing link workers deliver wrap‑around supports that tackle both immediate health needs and their root causes. Whether organising smoking‑cessation groups in urban flat complexes or coordinating social‑farming placements for people recovering from mental ill‑health, LDCs tailor interventions to local context and culture, ensuring high take‑up and sustained impact.

How LDCs Deliver Locally

Local Development Companies (LDCs) embed health equality into every aspect of community development. Their teams of community health workers, outreach officers, tutors and social‑prescribing link workers deliver wrap‑around supports that tackle both immediate health needs and their root causes. Whether organising smoking‑cessation groups in urban flat complexes or coordinating social‑farming placements for people recovering from mental ill‑health, LDCs tailor interventions to local context and culture, ensuring high take‑up and sustained impact.

Key Health Equality and Wellbeing Programmes

Across Ireland, LDCs are trusted delivery partners for a suite of evidence‑based initiatives, including:
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HSE Sláintecare Integration and Healthy Communities projects
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We Can Quit (community‑based smoking cessation)
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Healthy Food Made Easy (nutrition and cookery skills)
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Traveller Primary Health Projects
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Social Prescribing services
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Healthy Ireland funded actions
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Drugs and Alcohol Task Force community supports
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Period Poverty Scheme outreach
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Social Farming for mental and social wellbeing
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Community Mental Health Support Worker posts
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Programme for long-term health conditions

Why It Matters

Investing in health equality is both a moral duty and an economic imperative. Communities that enjoy good physical and mental health are more resilient, more productive and less reliant on crisis services. Through their deep local relationships and holistic approach, LDCs convert national health policy into measurable, person‑centred outcomes. LDCN ensures this learning is captured, shared and brought to the policy table, helping Ireland move decisively towards a fairer, healthier future for all