| Popis: |
The Slí@School programme is an adjunct programme to Slí na Sláinte, which translates to ‘path to health’, an initiative developed by the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) to encourage walking. This study set out to evaluate the perceived value of the Slí@School programme, to inform the IHF’s current work programme for schools and to assist in prioritisation of health promotion programmes for the school sector. Data were gathered through interviews with key school staff and through participatory workshops with students. The findings illustrate that the Slí@School programme is valued by schools and has considerable potential for improving the health and lives of young people, as well as members of the community. Staff were aware of the programme and branding associated with it; however, most students did not recognise the Slí@School logo nor the phrase ‘Slí na Sláinte’. The routes were predominately used at break and lunch times, but they were also used during class time for Physical Education or other subjects. Notable attributes of the routes included positive impacts on physical, mental and social health. Barriers to the use and uptake of the Slí@School routes included poor awareness of the routes, cost implications, and access to and accessibility of the routes. Facilitators for the programme included existing school infrastructure, supportive management, students’ enthusiasm, cross-linkages with other programmes and a holistic health promoting perspective to the routes. The COVID-19 pandemic provided the impetus for the Slí routes to be utilised by teachers extensively, for Physical Education and other subject classes, and also by students of their own volition. The Slí@School programme is valued by schools, evidenced by their engagement and investment in the programme to date coupled with their desire and creative ideas to improve and extend the programme. non-peer-reviewed |
