March 2009 Health Services Information Fair at NUI Galway

The first ever Galway Health Services Information Fair will be held in the Orbsen Building at NUI Galway, from 11am to 4pm, on Wednesday, 25 March. Some 50 different health-related organisations will attend to provide information on services available to people living in Galway City and county. Groups in attendance will include Ability West, Age Action West, AIDS West, Arthritis Ireland, Citizens' Information, COPE, Galway Rape Crisis Centre, Integrating Ireland and SpunOut.ie. Information on a range of topics will be available, including mental health, sexual health and complementary health, as well as fitness, health checks and health screening. This free public event is open to the general public, and people new to Galway are particularly welcome. Cindy Dring, NUI Galway Heath Promotion Officer, said: "We hope that this event will meet the needs of students, locals and people who have just moved to the area. Personal health is very much about being informed and making the right choices. This is a great opportunity to visit a 'one-stop shop' for health information and to find out about the kinds of services and supports available on your doorstep". For a number of years Galway Refugee Support Group (GRSG) has been involved in building the capacity of the refugee and asylum seeker populations to identify and advocate their health needs and concerns as part of a long-term integration strategy. Helen Bartlett, Community Development Worker of the GRSG, said: "The Galway Health Services Information Fair is significant as it will bring together education providers, health service providers, health advocacy organisations and health service users. Many people may be unfamiliar with all the health services and health advocacy organisations available in Galway". The event is a collaborate venture between NUI Galway and the GRSG, and is supported by the University's Community Knowledge Initiative. It is hoped that the Health Services Information Fair will become an annual event, increasing awareness about a wide range of health issues. For further information contact Helen Bartlett at 091 480 095. -ends-