Public survey as part of 'Well Communities' initiative in Waterford 

Waterford City and County Council, through its Community Department’s Health and Wellbeing team, has announced plans for a series of Community Wellbeing Workshops, titled 'Well Communities', to be delivered across the Municipal Districts.

The interactive workshops will be aimed at supporting and strenghtening community wellbeing by exploring key aspects of community development and addressing a broad range of themes, including: Wellbeing - Promoting positive mental health and increasing awareness of local support services; Physical Health and Activity - Encouraging healthy lifestyles, increased physical activity, and active living; Social Connection and Inclusion - Strengthening community relationships, enhancing social engagement, and tackling social isolation; Community Resilience - Building local capacity to respond to challenges, fostering resilience, and empowering communities.

Speaking about the initiative, Cllr. Seamus Ryan, Mayor of Waterford City and County, said: “The wellbeing of our communities is a key priority for Waterford City and County Council. These workshops will provide valuable opportunities for people to come together, share ideas, and help build healthier, more connected and resilient communities across the county.” Sinéad Breathnach, Head of Community with Waterford City and County Council, highlighted the collaborative approach underpinning the programme.

“Community-led and community-informed initiatives are vital in achieving meaningful and lasting impact," she said.

"We are inviting communities and community workers to work alongside us in shaping these workshops, ensuring they reflect local needs, strengths, and priorities," she added.

Meanwhile, welcoming the focus on community engagement, CEO Liam Quinn from Búion Portlairge added: “Initiatives like these workshops play an important role in supporting grassroots wellbeing and strengthening connections within our communities. By working in partnership, we can help create spaces where people feel supported, heard, and empowered to take positive action locally.” 

Waterford City and County Council is also seeking expressions of interest from communities and community workers who would like to collaborate in the planning of the workshops. 

With that in mind a short survey has been developed to assess interest in hosting or participating in a Community Wellbeing Workshop and to identify key concerns and priorities within local communities.

The survey is also aimed at supporting the design of workshops in a way that will be responsive to community needs.

The survey can be accessed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/cwellbeing 

Waterford City and County Council encourages all interested community members and organisations to take part and help shape the delivery of the Well Communities workshops throughout 2026.