Latest news with #PaulaHickey
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Consultant backs initiative between HSE and Parkrun on participation for those living with Dementia
Parkrun in Sligo and Leitrim are welcoming people living with Dementia, their families and carers to take part in their local runs. The HSE and Parkrun Ireland have recently launched a Dementia Friendly Parkrun Manual. The manual reflects Parkrun's ongoing commitment to removing barriers to participation and promoting physical, social, and mental wellbeing for all. Speaking about the initiative, Professor Paula Hickey, Consultant Geriatrician Sligo University Hospital said: 'I am delighted to support the Dementia Friendly Parkrun Manual. 'This is a valuable initiative to create a welcoming space for people living with dementia, their family, friends and carers. 'Maintaining an active life with social engagement is such a fundamental part of living well with dementia, this practical action can make a big difference and helps promote inclusive friendly communities.' Parkrun Ireland have been working with HSE Health and Wellbeing for many years supporting and driving engagement in physical activity. The new initiative is designed to make parkrun's across the country more welcoming and inclusive for people living with dementia. People with dementia or family members who are caring for a person with dementia may consider taking part or volunteering in their local parkrun as a good physical or social activity. Doing things with others and taking part in worthwhile activities can improve the quality of life of people living with dementia. It may also slow the development of dementia. Parkrun is a safe and friendly way to get regular activity. Whether walking, jogging or running - anyone can join in. Parkrun is a free weekly run, jog or walk for all, taking place on Saturday mornings at 9.30am. Its locations in Sligo and Leitrim are: Sligo Parkrun - Doorly Park, Cleveragh, Sligo Tubbercurry Trail Parkrun- Tubbercurry Trail, Ballina Rd, Rathscanlon, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo Glenfarne Wood Parkrun- Glenfarne Wood, Moneyduff, Co. Leitrim. Ballinamore Greenway Parkrun- Ballinamore Greenway, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim. The manual is available to order free of charge from (direct link:
CBC
16-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
CBRM councillor expects increasing conflict between new housing, property owners
Increasing development is helping solve the housing shortage in Cape Breton Regional Municipality, but it's also causing conflict with existing property owners. One municipal councillor says he expects clashes will increase as developments ramp up under new rules designed to ease the housing crunch. Last week, CBRM council rejected an appeal by Paula and Shaun Hickey, who opposed the planning department's approval for construction of an 18-unit apartment block on Reservoir Road near the regional hospital in Sydney, N.S. Paula Hickey told council the proposed three-storey building would look out of place in between her home and the one on the other side. "They're only 1.5-storey buildings, so that structure is going to loom over our existing properties," she said. Hickey also said the building is too close to the property line, may not have sufficient parking and could overwhelm municipal sewer and water services. Smaller development sought "We believe that the proposed development ... will negatively affect the adjacent dwellings," she said. "It'll cause increased traffic congestion, loss of privacy and environmental impact in our quiet neighbourhood." She said increased housing is important, but development should be smaller in her single-family residential neighbourhood. CBRM planning staff say the building meets all the criteria for the zone under new planning rules adopted in September 2023 under a report called CBRM Forward. Staff have also told council that public works says the infrastructure can handle the development. CBRM has been told it needs at least 1,000 new housing units by next year to ease the housing shortage. In an update to council earlier this month, planning director Tyson Simms told council that more than 900 units will have been started or built by the end of this year. Last week, Coun. Gordon MacDonald said he sympathizes with the Hickeys, but council went through a lengthy public process to create the new planning documents that make it easier for developers to build. In addition, the proposed apartment block on Reservoir Road meets all the criteria, he said. "Unfortunately for the residents that feel they're going to lose some of that privacy, because I certainly can relate to that, … we'll have to support the recommendation of our planning department." MacDonald said he expects conflicts to increase as housing projects ramp up under the new rules. "It's going to be unfortunate, but we're going to run into more of these situations as we go simply because we are looking for people to build and these kind of buildings are able to accommodate several families in one build." Deputy Mayor Eldon MacDonald, whose district includes Reservoir Road, said people who took part in public sessions during the development of CBRM Forward were overwhelmingly in favour of relaxed rules that would spark new construction. "When I attended the consultation processes that we undertook over that two-year period, a surprising number of people, it was the vast majority of people, the only thing on their minds was housing," he said. "The lack of it, the affordability of it and the need for densification. It's a challenge. It's not easy, but it was by far the biggest issue that I heard." Council unanimously overruled the Hickey appeal, paving the way for the new apartments.
