About Us - Love Nature

Our Mission Statement

Peninsula Healthy Living Partnership aims to provide a holistic and integrated approach to the provision and delivery of services and programmes to improve health for people on the Ards Peninsula, we will work in partnership with others, to promote and provide services that improve health & wellbeing and help people of all ages to make positive life choices.

History

Peninsula Healthy Living began in the late 1990s, when widespread community consultation highlighted significant local health and wellbeing challenges. Lack of transport emerged as the most urgent need, alongside issues such as isolation, limited employment opportunities, outward migration, poor access to services, and increasing concerns around mental health, substance misuse, and the shortage of recreational and cultural facilities. These findings helped shape the early vision and direction of the Partnership’s work.

In response to the transport gap, Peninsula Community Transport (PACT) was established in 1999 as an early initiative, securing funding from the Department of Regional Development’s Rural Transport Fund and receiving its first minibuses later that year. Another key project, Peninsula Afterschools, was launched in 2002 following a successful application to the New Opportunities Fund, creating afterschool clubs in Portaferry and Cloughey to address childcare needs identified by the Eastern Childcare Partnership.

To coordinate these developing initiatives, Peninsula Healthy Living initially formed a broad community consortium and a Project Steering Committee supported by seven Sub-Groups covering areas such as youth, transport, environment, disability, and older people. As the organisation grew, the Partnership formalised its structure by establishing a Limited Company in July 2002, which was subsequently granted charitable status—laying the foundation for the organisation that continues to serve the Peninsula community today.

PHLP Staff

Chief Executive Officer

Sheila has been the CEO since the creation of Peninsula Healthy Living Partnership in 2001.

Health Development Officer

Allan wears many hats, from facilitating our excellent programmes to leading spin classes.

Administrative Officer

Susan manages our office and all adminstration, when she is not running The Hen Shed programme.

Health Development Officer

Julie is our health development officer, using her vast knowledge & experience to run many of our amazing programmes.

Finance & Admin Officer

Louise oversees our accounts and keeps us on track with our budgets. She will also dabble in web design when needed.

Physical Activity Instructor

Emma can be found putting you through your paces in circuits, spin or a mixture of pilates and yoga.