Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme
About Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme
The Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme (SHCP) is a national initiative that supports people living in areas of social and economic disadvantage to improve their health and wellbeing. Delivered by DLDC across County Donegal, it takes a community-led, preventative approach to tackling health inequalities, focusing on the practical steps that make the biggest difference to people’s everyday lives.
The programme gives particular attention to rural and Gaeltacht communities, where access to health services and nutritious food can be more challenging due to geography, transport costs, and limited local resources. By delivering activities directly in community centres, family resource centres, and food banks, the SHCP removes the barriers that often prevent people from accessing the support they need.
At the heart of the programme is a commitment to inclusion and respect. All activities are designed to be practical, welcoming, and non-judgmental, meeting people where they are and building skills and confidence that last well beyond the programme itself.
How We Can Help
The Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme focuses on food and nutrition as a gateway to better health. Its activities are grounded in evidence and designed for real life, helping participants build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make positive changes without adding pressure to already stretched household budgets.
All activities are free and delivered locally, with no referral required. If you work with a community group, family resource centre, or food bank and would like to bring the programme to your setting, get in touch with our team directly.
Healthy Food Made Easy
The Healthy Food Made Easy (HFME) course is a free, six-week cooking and nutrition programme designed to help participants prepare simple, affordable, and nutritious meals with confidence. Across the six sessions, participants develop practical skills in meal planning, label reading, budget shopping, and kitchen confidence, while also building social connections with others in their community. Sessions are delivered in local community settings and are open to anyone who would benefit, regardless of cooking experience.
Community Food and Nutrition Support
Beyond the HFME course, our Community Food and Nutrition Worker provides broader support to individuals and community organisations around healthy eating, food budgeting, cooking skills, food waste prevention, and food safety. This includes tailored support for groups working in areas with specific challenges around food access. We also offer a practical Reducing Food Waste at Home guide, full of tips on meal planning, food storage, and making the most of household budgets.
Documentation
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