REACH Project Launches to Boost Cross-Border Health
The European Union-backed initiative secures €7.3 million to support 7,500 participants across Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Wellness
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The Clanrye Group has launched the REACH social prescribing project, which aims to address social isolation, addiction, and poverty in the border region. Backed by €7.3 million in funding from the PEACEPLUS programme, the project intends to support 7,500 individuals and 3,000 families.
Why it matters
By connecting residents with personalized health plans and community resources, the project seeks to reduce health inequalities and improve mental wellbeing. The initiative also provides a regional economic boost through the creation of approximately 50 new jobs.
The REACH project aims to support 7,500 participants and 3,000 families across the region with an initial €7.3 million investment. The recruitment drive will add approximately 50 new staff members to the project.
The players
Clanrye Group
This organization leads the REACH project and currently employs approximately 200 people in the Newry, Mourne and Down region.
Special EU Programmes Body
This agency is responsible for the management of the PEACEPLUS programme.
Teach na nDaoine Family Resource Centre
This center serves as a key partner in the delivery of the cross-border project.
County Down Rural Community Network
This network collaborates with the Clanrye Group to implement the social prescribing initiative.
The details
Participants are assigned a Social Prescriber to create an action plan and a Community Connector to help navigate local activities and services. The project targets diverse social issues, including unemployment and anxiety, across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
Timeline
The REACH project was formally launched on October 29, 2026.
Health Landscape
The REACH project follows the funding pattern established by the PEACEPLUS programme to address health inequalities. This initiative marks a significant effort to bridge service gaps in cross-border regions through systematic social prescribing.
Participants gain direct access to personalized action plans and local support services designed to address mental and social health challenges. These resources provide a structured path for individuals to connect with local activities and reduce barriers to wellness.
The takeaway
Social prescribing models offer a practical approach to addressing health inequalities by integrating community support with clinical care. Readers can seek out local social prescribing services to help navigate non-medical needs that affect their overall mental health.
Further reading
For more information on community-based health initiatives, visit the Wellness section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NorthernIrelandWorld.
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