Laois Connects brings people together across the county

A WEEK of connection and wellbeing featured a fantastic array of activities as part of Laois Connects 2024.

The benefits of social connection are well proven and there were plenty of opportunities to do just that throughout the county, during an action-packed programme from 7-13 October.

Held annually since 2013, Laois Connects promotes awareness of mental health, physical health and emotional wellbeing, aiming to reduce stigma and encourage support for people of all ages and abilities.

Lovers of music and dance enjoyed a performance by the Sing for Joy Choir and sequence dancing lessons in Portlaoise, while jiving lessons had everyone out on the dance floor in Crettyard.

Activities run by Laois Sports Partnership included fun days, chair yoga, pilates, and aqua aerobics, while the sports section of Laois County Council organised cheerful Chi walking in Portlaoise, Portarlington, Abbeyleix and Stradbally.

The benefits of the county’s beautiful open spaces were highlighted by the Laois Climate Action team, which provided a wellness walk around the magnificent Emo Court parklands on 10 October, World Mental Health Day.

Guide Neil Dennehy of Well Walks showed participants how to use all their senses to get the most from their walks. Meanwhile, Laois Public Participation Network (PPN) chose the glorious Glenbarrow walking trail as another ideal local location to bring people back in touch with nature.

Craft activities such as willow weaving and ceramics in Portlaoise, Mountrath, and Mountmellick emphasised the benefits of turning off the noise of life and concentrating on just one activity at a time.

Dunamaise Arts Centre hosted a screening of Irish movie ***The Sparrow*** for transition year students, who were joined afterwards by writer and director Michael Kinirons to discuss the making of the movie and its themes. A question-and-answer session prompted some very insightful questions and comments from students.

The Dunamaise also hosted a highlight of the week with Bressie and his live podcast ***Where is my Mind?***, joined by ***Operation Transformation*** expert Dr Eddie Murphy from Portarlington.

Laois Connects also saw the official launch of the Ógra Live Well Expo, which will be held in November and will highlight all the supports and services available to young people in the county to help improve their health and wellbeing.

For more information about Laois Connects and to find contact details for participating groups and services, visit Laois.ie/laoisconnects.