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This Is Our Health – Weekly Update (15/06/26)

What is “This Is Our Health”?

“This is Our Health” is about helping people in Northern Ireland stay healthy by working together. It shows that health is not just about hospitals or doctors—it’s also about how we live every day.

The idea is that everyone has a part to play. Health services will focus on what people really need, and people and communities will be supported to look after themselves.

It also reminds us that simple things—like staying active, talking to others, and feeling part of a community—can help us stay well.

Audio presentation ‘what is This is Our Health’

Last Week’s Highlights

This Is Our Health brought its public conversation on the future of health and wellbeing to Stormont on 15 June 2026, with a busy and engaging session in Room 115, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, who commissioned This Is Our Health, sponsored the session and visited to hear about the progress and engagement across Northern Ireland, and highlighted the importance of colleagues getting involved. We were joined by Denise Hampson who designed This is our Health using behavioral science principles.

Throughout the day, there was a steady flow of visitors, including cross party MLAs, the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Health Committee, Committee members, Assembly staff and members of the public. Many took the opportunity not just to learn more about the programme, but also to share their views by completing the survey.

There was strong interest from MLAs in the scale and reach of This Is Our Health. To date, the programme has delivered around 85 engagement events, with over 110 organised overall; and has already connected with almost 7,000 people from across Northern Ireland.

MLAs recognised the importance of the programme’s focus on listening to people and shaping a shared understanding of how we build a healthier future together. They expressed a clear willingness to support the work as it progresses.

Engagement has taken place in a wide range of community, healthcare and public settings, ensuring that voices from across society are reflected in the conversation.

Local delivery was also highlighted, with MLAs noting the value of events taking place within their own constituencies and the role these play in making it easier for people to take part.

The session also benefitted from the involvement of students attending on work experience, helping to ensure that younger voices are included in the conversation.

Overall, the Stormont engagement highlighted strong cross party interest in This Is Our Health and reinforced its importance as a large scale public conversation shaping the future of health and care.

Looking ahead, the programme will continue its presence at major public events and community gatherings across all Trust areas, including Foyle Maritime Festival in the Western Trust area, Ballymoney Show in the Northern Trust area, Armagh Show in the Southern Trust area, Belfast Mela in the Belfast Trust area and Balmoral Show in the South Eastern Trust area.