In January 2022, IDP’s Social Prescribing Link Worker, Carmel Gallagher, put a call out to all women in Inishowen to garner interest in a new initiative, The Happiness Project. That call was certainly answered and to date, over fifty women from Inishowen have now signed up to the Inishowen Happiness Project.
The Happiness Project is a book, written by Gretchen Rubin, who strived ‘to be happy’ but spent no time thinking about her happiness, so decided to dedicate a year to a happiness project resulting in one of the most thoughtful and engaging works on happiness. Happiness Project groups, where people meet to discuss their own happiness projects, have sprung up across the world and now that includes Inishowen! There are 12 chapters in the book and each month the group meet online to discuss that month’s chapter and to share tips and insight into what worked well for them.
Carmel explains “we have a great group up and running at the minute and although it was set up to read and discuss the book, we are already seeing additional benefits at play. It is very much a self-directed group, and the participants are encouraged to communicate with each other to organise activities such as going for a walk, sea swimming or attending an exercise class. It is a fantastic way to meet new people, and we have a diverse range across all age groups”.
In addition to reading the book collectively, Carmel is hopeful that other outcomes will include:
- Less isolation
- Building a support network
- Make friends (Intergenerational)
- Learning new practical tips and strategies for Health and well-being, i.e., Happiness
- Become fitter (Walking and talking)
- Build confidence
- Share skills and experiences
- Empower and enable woman to move out of their comfort zone
- Widen horizons
- Feel part of a community
- Network- job wise- create opportunities possibly
To keep up to date with this project, follow IDP across our social media channels.