Aisling Jennings, Healthy Galway City
Ashling Jennings will play a key role in ensuring that ‘Health through Nature’ is a cornerstone of this ground-breaking initiative. Working in association with the Galway Sports Partnership, Galway City Council and local NGOs such as Friends of Merlin Woods and the Terryland Forest Park Alliance, she is presently involved in mapping walking and cycling routes within and out of the city, routes which incorporate nature. One of the outcomes will be a booklet and short promotional video to encourage the people of Galway city to embrace the green and blue spaces on their doorstep. She plans to have in place a series of guided walks tours commencing in spring 2021.
Ashling completed a BSc in Human Nutrition in University College Dublin and a MA in Health Promotion in the National University of Ireland, Galway. In her current role as Healthy Galway City coordinator, Ashling is responsible for the coordination and implementation of targeted initiatives in the areas of healthy eating, physical activity, mental health, sexual health, tobacco free and alcohol harm prevention and reduction, with a particular focus on disadvantaged communities and those at risk of health inequalities. Healthy Galway City is part of the World Health Organization (WHO) ‘Healthy Cities’ Programme. Supported by Galway City Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), Healthy Galway City is based on engagement, collaboration and the creation of long-term innovative partnerships.