Mid Ulster benefits from new PEACEPLUS-funded Nourish & Connect Programme

A new community-focused initiative aimed at improving health, tackling food inequality, and strengthening social connections has been launched across Mid Ulster.

Delivered by Network Personnel (part of The Workspace Group), the Nourish & Connect programme will run over three years and provide a range of practical, inclusive activities centred on healthy eating, nutrition, and wellbeing for local communities throughout the Mid Ulster District Council area.

The project forms part of Mid Ulster District Council’s €5.2 million Local Community PEACEPLUS Action Plan. Both the Action Plan and this programme are supported through PEACEPLUS, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Through Nourish & Connect, participants will have the opportunity to take part in hands-on cooking sessions, learn about nutrition, and gain skills to prepare healthy meals on a budget. The programme also places a strong focus on wellbeing, offering activities such as stress management, gentle exercise, and opportunities to connect with local food producers and sustainable practices.

Over its lifetime, the initiative will engage at least 225 participants through a series of locally delivered programmes, helping individuals build confidence, develop practical life skills, and form meaningful connections within their communities.

It is anticipated that the programme will leave a lasting impact by supporting healthier lifestyles, reducing isolation, and contributing to stronger, more inclusive communities across Mid Ulster.

Alex McKee, Operations Manager at Network Personnel, said: “We are delighted to be launching Nourish and Connect as part of the wider PEACEPLUS Anti-Poverty Programme. Over the next three years, we will support people to build practical food skills, improve their health and wellbeing, and strengthen connections within their communities. This programme is about more than food—it’s about creating shared experiences, building relationships, and delivering real, lasting impact.”

Rosemary Hunter, Nourish & Connect Project Co-ordinator, added: “At its core, this programme is about people. It will provide a supportive and welcoming environment where participants can learn, share, and grow together. We look forward to seeing the confidence people gain, the friendships they form, and the positive changes they bring into their daily lives.”

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Councillor John McNamee, Chairperson of the Mid Ulster PEACEPLUS Partnership, said: "The Nourish & Connect programme is an excellent example of how PEACEPLUS funding can be used to deliver meaningful and lasting benefits at a community level. By addressing food inequality, promoting health and wellbeing, and creating opportunities for people to connect, this initiative directly supports our vision of building thriving, inclusive and resilient communities across Mid Ulster."

Deputy Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Denise Johnston, added: "This initiative highlights the strength of partnership working in tackling key social challenges within our district. Through a focus on nutrition, wellbeing and community engagement, Nourish & Connect will empower individuals with practical skills while fostering stronger social connections. We are proud to support a programme that will have a positive and lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of our communities."

The Network Personnel-led project is one of nine projects across the Mid Ulster District Council area, running over three years, contributing to the PEACEPLUS themes of Thriving and Peaceful Communities, Building Respect for All Cultural Identities, and Local Community Regeneration and Transformation.