Better Connections: Better Access: Better Health Project

In 2009, CAAN secured funding from the Big Lottery and Ulster Garden Villages to deliver a three year project, ‘Better Connections: Better Access: Better Health’ which evolved from the ‘Barriers to Participation’ research (CAAN, 2008). (You can download this research document from - http://www.countrysiderecreation.com/downloads/Barriers%20to%20Participation%20Final%20Document.pdf).

The research showed that if people with disabilities, including people with limited mobility, learning disabilities, hearing and visual impairments; people from minority ethnic communities and people living within areas of disadvantage or social need, were to use the outdoors, they needed support to identify what was available and possible for them to use in their local area,

Consequently, CAAN is now seeking applications from experienced Service/Activity Providers to provide six outdoor recreation taster sessions for the above mentioned groups.

The taster sessions will range in activities, however all will include walking and when feasible cycling. All sessions should reflect the best that their local area can offer and demonstrate the outdoor possibilities to all involved. The goal is to create positive experiences that once engaged individuals will want to experience again and use the outdoor recreation outlets in their locality more often. In this instance there are three tender applications. One tender for the Armagh area and two for Belfast. This is only the beginning of the three year process with forty communities to target Northern Ireland wide over the next three years.

Tender applications can be downloaded from http://www.countrysiderecreation.com/tenders/

The closing date for submission is 2nd October 2009.