A Christmas message from the Chief Executive

As we enter the festive period, I want to take a moment to send my very best wishes to you from everyone at Developing Healthy Communities. This season gives us an opportunity to reflect on the year behind us and to recognise the commitment, care, and collaboration that continue to define our shared work.

Christmas is a time that reminds us of the importance of community and connection. It reinforces the value of working together, supporting one another, and standing alongside the people and communities we serve. I am grateful for the strong partnerships we share and the collective impact they make possible.

In that spirit I wanted to briefly mention some of the shared successes that we can take pride in together this Christmas.

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Organisations receiving PHA Making Life Better Short Term Funding are projected to reach more than 39,000 beneficiaries over the coming period, an increase of about 10,000 on 2023/24.That growth is a testament to everyone working to deliver the huge range of funded projects and will make a meaningful difference to mental health and wellbeing in communities across Northern Ireland.

In Derry City and Strabane we are grateful to every cafe, gym, community group, and individual who has supported us to get the Civic Dollars pre-diabetes project off to the best possible start.

And finally we want to acknowledge everyone who has made the effort to attend one of our events and contribute their voice, from the Derry City & Strabane Healthy City and District Conference at Ulster University, to the Families Voices Forum Suicide Postvention event last month, to any of our Clear Forum events.

So to all of our partners, funders and colleagues, our board, our staff and everyone who has helped us move towards our goals for health and wellbeing this year we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.