Project title: Health Promoting Hearts
Region: Derry, Northern Ireland
Award amount: £14,977
Award date: November 2025
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in Northern Ireland, with 4,227 heart and circulatory deaths in 2023, the highest in a decade. The Moor Ward is one of the most deprived areas of Derry City, and the Foyle constituency records one of the highest circulatory illness death rates regionally. 20% of people living in the Moor Ward report living with serious health-limiting conditions, and alcohol-related hospital admissions are among the highest in Northern Ireland. Derry & Strabane also has the highest poverty rate of any council area, driving unhealthy diet, low activity, and poor lifestyle habits.
By focusing on adults at risk of heart disease, the programme will directly address these inequalities, supporting healthier lives.
Health Promoting Hearts is a 14 week holistic community initiative designed to improve heart health and overall wellbeing in adults. The project is made up of four key elements, physical activity sessions including circuits and yoga, cooking sessions, food for thought CBT based workshops and goal setting and motivation. Health checks will be conducted at the start and end of the project. This initiative will conclude with a celebration where participants will be signposted to other programmes in the community to continue on their wellness journey.
Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum will link up with local GPs to identify those at most risk of developing heart disease in the community and invite them onto the project. The project will be ran by highly qualified and experienced staff including nutritionists, physical activity facilitators, cognitive behavioural therapists and health check facilitators. Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and body composition (height, weight, body fat percentage and visceral fat) will be taken during this project to measure the success of it on the participants health.
By combining physical activity, cooking skills, psychological support, and goal setting strategies, the Health Promoting Hearts Programme takes a whole person approach to tackling cardiovascular risk factors. The programme aims to reduce health inequalities, and empower adults to take control of their heart health, with support.