Healthy Campus
Our Mission is to have a campus community where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential, where wellbeing is valued and supported and is everyone’s responsibility.
Our Vision
DkIT will be recognised as an organisation that adopts a holistic understanding of health, takes a whole campus approach and aspires to create a learning environment and organisational culture that enhances the health and wellbeing of all of our community and enables people to achieve their full potential.
With this approach, we hope to raise awareness of the resources that are available to support students and staff in their pursuit of health and wellbeing while making the best possible use of the array of facilities, knowledge, and services already in place.
2025 - 2026 Initiatives
A number of Healthy Campus Projects are running this year for staff and students. Some of these projects have been funded by Healthy Ireland through Louth County Council and a number have been funded by DkIT Healthy Campus. For more information on these projects see the list below. Alternatively, you can download the 2026-2025 Initiatives Poster
| Overview | Timeline |
|---|---|
DkIT’s Fittest 2025DkIT’s Fittest 2025 is a campus wide STEPS challenge to promote physical activity participation in both staff and students. It serves to promote an increase in sustainable physical activity by encouraging physical activity engagement in a fun and inclusive manner. Project Lead: BSc Hons Health & Physical Activity Team | 29th Sept. - 24th October 2025 |
Cycle to Campus DayThe aim of the event is to build a strong cycle user network in the institute, to empower reluctant or nervous cyclist and to impart the numerous health and wellbeing benefits of cycling to as much of the campus community as possible. Project Lead: Gareth Kelly | 21st Oct. |
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles – ConnectionsWalkie Talkie Café - coffee; connect and walk. This will be followed by two Healthy Eating & Nutrition Workshops. The project fosters inclusivity, belonging, and positive mental health for students and staff. Project Lead: Aidan Hoare, Christopher McGrath, Derick Englishby, Rosemary Leonard, Diako Khodaei, Glenn McCormack | Oct. & Nov. |
Positive Exposure Photography CompetitionThe competition invites all DkIT students (full-time and part-time) to submit photographs on the theme “That Which Sparks Happiness Within Me.” It aims to promote positive mental wellbeing and creative expression within our student community, encouraging participants to reflect on and share what brings them joy. Project Lead: Mary Matthews & Frank Brady | Entries: 6th Oct. - 7th Nov. Award Ceremony: 26th Nov. |
Make One, Donate One – Breadmaking WorkshopThis 3- hour workshop combines the benefits of baking therapy with doing good. Participants will learn the skills of breadmaking in a professional kitchen with expert guidance from professional chefs. After the workshop, the baked goods will be shared with others during a tea party. The workshop is aimed at staff and students. Project Lead: Maeve McArdle, Alan McCabe, Rosemary Leonard | 13th Nov. |
Acceptance & Commitment TrainingAcceptance and Commitment Therapy/Training (ACT) is a psychotherapeutic, evidence-based approach that has demonstrated desirable outcomes across a broad range of populations. This research will involve delivery of a one session, in-person ACT workshop, in conjunction with digital ACT supports, to the DkIT staff community with the aim of implementing effective coping skills and establishing values-oriented behavioural patterns. Project Lead: Orla Moran | Oct. 2025 to Jan. 2026 |
Couch to 5k For AllIt is an 8-week Couch to 5k programme aimed at all DkIT members, both staff and students, who feel that they cannot walk or run 5k. The project aims to improve people’s health, both mental and physical, empower people and create a feeling of belonging. The couch to 5k programme will last 8 weeks, and would involve two weekly lunchtime training sessions. Project Lead: Mary Kennedy & DkIT Green Campus Committee & DkIT Athletics Club | Feb. 2025 Launch |
Mental Strength: Apprentice Support ToolkitThis project aims to actively promote the full range of DkIT’s free, confidential services and 24/7 national supports to male apprentices during their block release. It uses free food and a trade-focused communication style to entice engagement and encourage proactive help seeking for academic and personal stress. Project Lead: Gerard Galligan | Oct. 2025 onwards |
Share It In SongThis project invites people to collaborate on writing songs inspired by their everyday experiences. No prior musical knowledge is required and anybody from across campus is welcome to share their ideas and help craft a song within each of three sessions with a guest facilitator. Project Lead: Daithí Kearney | Friday mornings at 11am in Nov. |
Room to Breathe: Supporting Early Years Students’ WellbeingThis project aims to support Early Years students who often face significant challenges balancing their academic studies, part-time work, and long commutes. Targeting approximately 40 students across all four years of the programme, the workshops will offer a supportive space for students to slow down, connect with themselves and their peers, and develop self-care strategies, such as breathwork and mindfulness. Project Lead: Sarah Brock | 2-hour workshop twice over Semester One |
Dr. Diarmuid O'Callaghan, President of DkIT said:
"I am delighted to introduce the inaugural DkIT Healthy Campus Plan. The positive health and wellbeing of our staff and students is the key driver to the completion of this plan... Our staff and students spend a significant amount of time on our campus and we want that to be an environment where they can flourish.
This Healthy Campus Plan seeks to further enhance and complement these activities by further promoting what we already do well; through collaboration and consultation developing additional initiatives and most importantly ongoing communication with our staff and students about DkIT Healthy Campus."
Mental Health
Raise increased awareness of mental wellbeing supports already available for students and staff on campus and through collaborations with external stakeholders provide additional resources and tools.
Healthy Environment
Increase the use of our campus by exploring the introduction of walking trails on campus, promote travel methods to college that increase physical activity and promote smoking reduction initiatives.
Sexual Health
Consolidate the existing activities, expanding where gaps have been identified and collaborating with external agencies e.g. Sexual wellbeing.ie; GUM clinic in Louth County Hospital etc.
Physical Activity
Develop a communication mechanism where all staff and students are easily aware of what and where physical activities are taking place across the Institute and how they can participate in any of these activities.