The Western Health & Social Care Trust has begun a pilot under the CAWT Healthier Futures initiative, funded through the PEACEPLUS programme, to provide free weight-management and behaviour-change support for adults in Northern Ireland.
Cross-border partnership and shared funding
The project is delivered by the CAWT Partnership and supported by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). PEACEPLUS receives combined funding from the European Union, the UK Government, the Government of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive. Local delivery brings together the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland, the Southern and Western Health and Social Care Trusts, the Strategic Planning and Performance Group and the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland.
What the pilot offers
Within Northern Ireland the Healthier Futures Project will provide a package of free programmes aimed at:
- weight management
- behaviour-change support
- improving physical activity and dietary habits
- building skills and confidence for sustainable lifestyle change
Support will be delivered by a multi-disciplinary team, including a dedicated Dietitian and Health Coaches, offering personalised advice and practical interventions via community and online options.
“The landscape around our health and wellbeing, particularly in relation to obesity is constantly changing and evolving. We hope that our programmes will offer people a place to learn and build capacity to look after and improve their own health for the future.”
This comment was made by Claire Hamilton, who is coordinating the Healthier Futures work for the Western Trust.
Expected impacts and operational aims
Trust leaders have emphasised two central goals: improving individual health outcomes and easing pressure on routine services. Seamus Ward, Head of Health Improvement, Equality and Involvement, described the initiative as an avenue to support patients on waiting lists by connecting them to practical, community or online programmes that address wellbeing and lifestyle.
While the pilot is intended to support people directly, it is also positioned as a way to reduce waiting-list pressures by offering alternatives to routine clinical appointments for those needing behavioural support rather than immediate medical intervention.
Project partners and roles
| Organisation | Role |
|---|---|
| SEUPB / PEACEPLUS | Programme funding and oversight |
| CAWT Partnership | Cross-border delivery coordination |
| Western Trust (local delivery) | Pilot implementation and participant recruitment |
| HSE, Southern & Western Trusts, PHA, Strategic Planning Group | Partner delivery and service integration |
The pilot represents an example of cross-jurisdictional public-health collaboration aimed at behaviour-change and preventative care. Its progress and measurable effects on both participant wellbeing and waiting-list dynamics will be important to monitor as implementation continues.
