Gurranabraher & Churchfield Health Action Zone – Health Action Zones and Community Health Projects

Welcome to The Gurranabraher & Churchfield Health Action Zone

Hi I’m Ailish Mc Donald, the Community Health Worker for Gurranabraher and Churchfield. I am extremely passionate about the work that I do and feel fortunate to have a role that can really impact people’s lives for the better.

My day to day job involves meeting with individuals and groups in the community and responding to their health needs.

My aim is to provide a safe and welcoming environment, where people can have fun and feel connected to their community.

Here are some examples of previous workshops that were run:

Minding your wellbeing
Stone Carving Workshop
Slow Stitching
Health Check ups
Brain Health sessions
Auricular Acupuncture and Meditation
St. Bridgid Cross Making
Willow Weaving
CÉILÍ
Collaborative Events such as our famous Northside Seniors Olympic Games

If you are interested in getting involved in any group or event, or you want to hear more about what’s happening in Gurranbraher and Churchfield please contact me on 087 097 9707 or Ailish.mcdonald@hse.ie. I would love to hear from you!

Monday Movers Walking Group

The Monday Movers walking group meet every Monday afternoon at the Fairfield car park at 2pm. Enjoy a relaxed, easy-paced walk where everyone is encouraged to walk at their own pace. A great opportunity to get outdoors, have a chat, share a few laughs, and improve your health and wellbeing. After each walk the groups enjoys a cup of tea or coffee together.

Throughout the year the Monday Movers also organises day trips and take part in meet-and-mingle events with other walking groups. The group is always welcoming new members.

Flower Arranging Group

The Flower Arranging Group meets every Monday from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm at Churchfield Community Trust. This well-established group brings together people with a shared love of flowers, creativity, and good company in a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment.

Led by Patricia, an experienced facilitator, each session offers the opportunity to learn new skills, create beautiful floral arrangements, and enjoy plenty of conversations and laughs over a cup of tea and some beautiful home baking. The group also enjoys giving back to the community, creating floral arrangements for local cancer support initiatives and helping with flowers for special family and community occasions.

Shandon haz band

The HAZ band rehearses weekly at the Hut in Gurranabraher and contribute to the local entertainment scene. The band play monthly regular days across the city’s Northside Community Centres, health centres and nursing homes. Through their monthly performances, the group not only showcases their talents but also contributes to community events and helps reduce social isolation by sharing the joy of live music.

The group provides a welcoming and supportive space where members can enjoy making music together while promoting positive mental health, wellbeing, and social connection.

Whether rehearsing new songs or performing for local audiences, the HAZ Music Group demonstrates the positive impact that music can have on health, wellbeing, confidence, and community spirit. New members with an interest in music are always welcome to get involved.

Northside Adventurers

Northside Adventurers is a new and exciting group for young and middle-aged adults living on the north side of Cork City who enjoy being active, exploring the outdoors, and meeting new people.

Meeting once a month, the group takes part in a variety of activities including hiking, water sports, and other outdoor adventures. It’s a fantastic opportunity to improve your fitness, challenge yourself, and discover new places while being part of a friendly and supportive group.

The group is ideal for people who have a reasonable level of fitness and are looking to become more active in a fun and social way. As this is a brand-new initiative, we are currently welcoming new members. If you enjoy the outdoors, want to try new activities, and meet like-minded people, we’d love you to come along and be part of the adventure!

Running Group

Our joint Running Group with Churchfield Community Trust meets every Tuesday at 12.00 pm outside Churchfield Community Trust. The group welcomes runners of all abilities and encourages everyone to run at their own pace, making it a supportive and enjoyable environment for both beginners and more experienced runners.

Over the years, the group has proudly taken part in the Cork City Marathon 10K on several occasions and even travelled together to participate in the Belfast 10K, combining the event with a memorable weekend away.

As well as the weekly runs, the group enjoys exploring new running routes in different locations, often finishing with a well-earned breakfast or lunch together. These outings are a great opportunity to stay active, build friendships, and enjoy the social side of running.

Chair Yoga

Our Chair Yoga classes take place every Tuesday in the Hut in Gurranabraher, with sessions at 1.15 pm and 2.15 pm. Delivered in six-week blocks, these classes provide a welcoming and supportive space for people of all abilities to enjoy the many benefits of gentle movement.

Led by our experienced instructor Eleanor each class is focused on improving flexibility, strength, and balance. Participants are encouraged to work at their own pace and only do what feels comfortable for them, making classes suitable for a wide range of abilities and mobility levels. Each session finishes with a calming guided meditation led by Eleanor.

The Wellness Walk and Memory Trail in St Marys Primary HealthCare Campus, Cork.

The walk measures 1.25km and approximately 2000 steps and offers staff, surrounding communities and service users opportunity to add to their daily exercise and sense of overall wellbeing on St Marys Health Campus. A big part of the walking signage includes a memory trail element with extracts from interviews taken as part of the ‘Memories of the Orthopeadic’ project with Cork Folklore Project displayed on each panel along the walkway.

These are memories of past staff of the Orthopaedic Hospital as well as service users and local people who have memories of the Orthopaedic Hospital of the past and can now enjoy these memories as part of a new and developing primary care facility in St Marys Health Campus. The broader signage scheme includes many health messages including #Littlethings National Positive Mental Health messaging which speaks to things we can all do to promote our own and others positive mental health.

Art and Craft Group

The Art and Craft Group meets once a month on a Wednesday evening in Coffa House and welcomes adults of all abilities, from complete beginners to those with more creative experience. The group provides a relaxed and friendly space to explore different art and craft activities while enjoying the company of others.

The group has enjoyed activities such as willow weaving, felting, card making, box frame art, and many other seasonal and creative projects.

The Evening Art Group is about more than making art—it’s an opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills, share ideas, and enjoy a fun and supportive atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to discover a new hobby, express your creativity, or simply spend an enjoyable evening with others, you’ll be made to feel very welcome.

The group provides a welcoming and supportive space where members can enjoy making music together while promoting positive mental health, wellbeing, and social connection.

St Marys Health Campus Gardening Group

The Gardening Group meets every Wednesday from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm in St. Marys Health Campus. The group welcomes volunteers of all experience levels, whether you’re an experienced gardener or simply looking to spend time outdoors and learn something new.

Together, volunteers help to maintain and develop the gardens while enjoying the many physical and mental wellbeing benefits that gardening brings. Throughout the year, we also host gardening workshops, giving participants the opportunity to develop new skills and share ideas in a relaxed and supportive setting. Of course, we always make time for a cup of tea and some treats. As a thank you for their hard work, volunteers also get to take home fresh seasonal produce grown in the garden.

We’re always looking for new volunteers to join us. Whether you’re interested in gardening, meeting new people, or spending time in a peaceful outdoor space, you’ll receive a warm welcome in St. Marys Health Campus gardens. Click for more information about our growing places for wellbeing projects.

Churchfield Gurranabraher Men’s Shed

The Men’s Shed group meets every Thursday at 2.00 pm in Churchfield Community Trust. This friendly and welcoming group provides a relaxed space where men can come together to enjoy a cup of tea, good conversation, and the company of others.

The group regularly organises social outings and activities, giving members the opportunity to explore new places, share experiences, and build lasting friendships. Whether it’s a local day trip or simply spending time together each week, there’s always a warm welcome and plenty of laughs along the way. The Men’s Shed is a great place to connect with others, reduce social isolation, and become part of a supportive community. New members are always welcome.