Working Life: Paul Gillen, health promotion officer, HSE

Patients who are referred for anything from back pain to depression take part in a 12-week programme.

9am

I start by going through emails related to various programmes and projects we’re involved in — with schools, GPs, City Hall Galway and various voluntary, community, statutory and non-statutory groups. In relation to City Hall, we worked with council officials on getting people involved in developing Terryland Forest Park, the largest urban forest park in Europe. We helped organise plantathons where we got people out planting trees. We got people involved in clearing up rubbish and pathways that could be used as walkways or for cycling.

10am

I may have a meeting with GPs as part of our GP exercise referral programme. We encourage GPs to refer patients to the local exercise co-ordinator. Patients who are referred take part in a 12-week programme. We also deal with schools. We pass on activity skills to teachers to promote in schools and we provide playground markings, colourful stencils such as hopscotch, or a maze, that help provide structured play in the yard.

11am

I have a coffee break at my office in Galway city. I also have responsibility for Mayo and Roscommon. Recently we ran a very successful Men on the Move programme in three towns in Mayo, with Mayo Sports Partnerships. We recruited 100 men who were over-weight and had sedentary lifestyles. After eight weeks, they all ran 5k.

2pm

After lunch I spend time liaising with different groups trying to promote physical activity. As part of our Go For Life programme for older people, we work in partnership with the ICA or active retirement groups and help with organising tea dances.

My agenda is to get people active for a couple of hours in a way that’s fun and suitable and promotes social interaction. We did this quite successful-ly with a basketball programme involving a local club where we ran a 12-week programme for kids who were overweight. When it finished, 15 of them joined the club.

5pm

Home time, but not always downtime. My job can involve evening meetings. Otherwise, I enjoy swimming, hill walking and weight training or walks with my nine-year-old daughter.

¦ For more information log onto getirelandactive.ie