2013 Press Releases
Health is wealth this Wednesday
UCC Health Matters brings you a variety of fun and feel-good activities this Wednesday 9 October on main campus from 12 noon and 3pm to promote the wellbeing of students and staff. #UCCRAOK!
As the saying goes, your health is your wealth and the UCC Health Matters group is determined to get that message across on Wednesday 9 October. A key focus of the day is the launch of the UCC Health Matters Events Calendar for the coming year, with UCC's new Director of Sport, Declan Kidney and Health Matters co-ordinator Dr Michael Byrne to open the event at noon in Áras na Mac Léinn (Student Centre). UCC Health Matters, which recently ran its own Operation Transformation, helps co-ordinate health promoting activities all over campus to improve staff and student wellbeing.
Student vs. staff treadmill relays for charity, an aerobathon in the Amphitheatre, neck, shoulder and Indian head massages, yoga, charity buskers, live music and commentary from RedFM and UCC98.3FM as well as free fruit offers just a taste of the activities on the menu for the day. Complimentary health checks including BMI stations (one including a nutritionist) will also be on campus to give feedback on physical health, with blood pressure measurement checks also available (click here for schedule).
Random acts of kindness (RAOK) are one of the more creative events taking place. UCC Occupational Therapy students will kick start the day by giving out free flowers, cards and origami shapes at 11.30am to encourage the community to 'pay it forward'. The wider campus and Cork community can get involved on social media by posting their RAOK using the hashtag #UCCRAOK for Twitter or posting their RAOK to the UCC Health Matters Facebook wall. There will be a chance to win lots of prizes on the day too for those who partake both on- and offline (see end of page for instructions). UCC Students' Union mascot Panda Bear and the Cork City FC mascot Corky the Cheetah will also be giving out free hugs!
A spin on the Italian concept of Suspended Coffees, which took Cork by storm recently, is also on offer. Inspired by the ethos of buying a hot drink for someone less fortunate, Áras na Mac Léinn (incl. Café Oasis, Upstairs and Club Áras ((The New Bar) will randomly distribute a selection of free teas, coffees and herbal teas between 12 noon and 3pm on 9 October.
Several health organisations will have a presence on the day, including VHI, Breakthrough Cancer, the National Suicide Research Foundation, Cork Sexual Health Centre, Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre, Anaphylaxis Ireland and Aware (who also host a talk on 'Depression: A Proactive Approach' with Dr Claire Hayes at 7.30pm-9pm on the day in Brookfield Health Sciences Complex GO1), amongst others. The Road Safety Authority and Irish Heart Foundation will also provide material for the day.
Launched in December 2012 as part of UCC's push for official recognition as a health promoting university, UCC Health Matters is just under a year away from its goal. The day offers an opportunity for the UCC community to consider how they can effect positive health changes in their own lives. Dr Ian Pickup, Head of Student Experience UCC will also speak at the event, and will announce the winner of the student vs. staff treadmill relay.
Beyond the above groups, the event is also being kindly supported by numerous others who are giving their resources to make the day a success, including: Kylemore, UCC Visitors' Centre, UCC Staff Wellbeing, Ocean Design and Print Studio (Wexford), Urban Escape Spa and NRG Gym Health & Fitness Club in The River Lee Hotel, Fresco Eaterie & Bistro in the Glucksman Gallery, John Smith's Bookshop, UCC98.3FM, Victoria Cross Cycles, Red FM, Finola Craven Physical Therapist at Greenwood Clinic, Fox Flowers, Áras na Mac Léinn, City Limits Comedy Club, UCC Students' Union, Clubs Executive and Societies Guild, Sláinte Society, UCC Peer Support, Occupational Therapy UCC, The Beautique Spa in Hayfield Manor, the Everyman Palace Cork, Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre, Cork Opera House and Cork City FC.
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How random acts of kindness works
Why not brighten up someone's day by carrying out a random act of kindness (RAOK) for them? Open a door, give a compliment, be kind to someone you dislike, pick up a piece of trash, write a positive Facebook message, call that person you've been meaning to, donate to charity, forgive somebody, encourage or support somebody, introduce yourself to someone new, help somebody... hundreds more ideas over here!
In the spirit of RAOK, you can be in with a chance to win one of the following prizes by taking part on social media on Wednesday 9 October between 12pm and 3pm as part of UCC Health Matters Day. Use the hashtag #UCCRAOK on Twitter to tell us the RAOK you've carried out, or post your RAOK to the UCC Health Matters Facebook or alternatively email your RAOK to media@ucc.ie
Prizes are for the following categories:
- Most re-tweeted RAOK
- Most shared (on Facebook) RAOK
- Most random RAOK overall
- Most community-focused RAOK
- Best image of a RAOK
- Spot prizes because we are feeling kind!
Online prizes include:
- 20 euro voucher for John Smith’s Bookshop, UCC
- One month’s unlimited Yoga class pass worth 112 euro (Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre, Academy St, Cork)
- One pair of tickets to Aitrtricty League Cork City versus Shelbourne FC fixture on October 10 at Turner’s Cross, Cork
- One of five free lunch vouchers for students (to be used in any food outlet of choice in Áras na Mac Léinn)
- One pair of tickets to an upcoming show of your choice at City Limits Comedy Club, Cork (valid until 31 December, 2013)
- One pair of tickets to '51 Shades of Maggie' at Cork Opera House (Saturday 12 October)
- One pair of tickets to 'Silent' (Pat Kinevane; Fishamble) at The Everyman Palace Cork (Tuesday 29 or Wednesday 30 October)
Plenty of other prizes will be given out on the day to people carrying out their RAOK in person - take part in any of the events for UCC Health Matters Day for the chance to win between 12pm-3pm on Wednesday 9 October! See the schedule for the day here.