Fermanagh and Omagh District Council recently launched it’s third ‘i-can fest’, a programme of activities for children, young people and adults with disabilities.

This accessible programme, a mix of creative, active and informative sessions, is funded by the Public Health Agency and aims to promote positive health and wellbeing by providing participants with opportunities to explore different activities and learn new information.

This year, due to the restrictions currently in place to help curb the spread of Covid-19 and protect the Health Service, “i-can fest” will be delivered entirely online through a mixture of pre-recorded and live workshops.

Commenting on the programme, the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Councillor Diana Armstrong said;

“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is delighted to launch this excellent festival of online health and wellbeing activities for children, young people and adults with disabilities.

Throughout this pandemic and particularly during the phases of lockdown, people with various disabilities have been asked to isolate, preventing them from taking part in activities in which they would normally enjoy.

There is no doubt that the Covid-19 global pandemic has presented significant challenges and it has had a detrimental effect on our physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. The restrictions which have been employed at various times over the last year to curb the spread of Covid-19 have impacted on the way we work, socialise and exercise and we have all had to adapt to a new normal.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to ensuring that all its programmes and services are as inclusive as possible. I am confident that this series of sessions, aimed at children, young people and adults with disabilities, will help keep them engaged during these difficult times and I would encourage as many of you as possible to go online and participate in the excellent programme of workshops which have been devised for this year’s “i-can fest. I am confident that you will really enjoy them.”

The programme will be delivered entirely online and participants will receive information packs containing materials and tutorial videos for each session they are registered for. From a practical perspective, this offers participants the flexibility to undertake the sessions on a day or at a time which suits them best, and also to take breaks.

As part of the programme, participants will have the opportunity to create crafts, nature art and take part in sensory workshops, balloon modelling and laughter yoga. Adults with disabilities will also get the chance to learn more about growing vegetables and the importance of knowing how to spot scams during lockdown. Households will also be able to relax and enjoy a Magic Show as part of a family.

Adele Dunn, Senior Health Improvement Officer from the Public Health Agency, the funders, added:

“PHA is delighted to continue to support the Access Inclusion Project within Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and we have now moved into the seventh year of our partnership, which has had a tremendous impact in promoting access inclusion across the council district. Now, more than ever, we need to engage in programmes which will impact positively on our health and social wellbeing and this is a great opportunity for people with disabilities to come together virtually to take part in this varied and enriching online programme. By engaging in these activities and events participants and their families will take steps to improve and maintain their wellbeing recognising the 'Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing. I hope you enjoy this, our third, ‘i-can fest’”

To find out more about all the activities available or register for the sessions, please contact Fermanagh and Omagh District Council by telephone on 0300 303 1777, textphone 028 8225 6216 or email disability@fermanaghomagh.com.

A copy of the Programme can also be downloaded by visiting the Council website at www.fermanaghomagh.com.