Dietetic students work with various community groups on their nutrition needs

Lecturers: Sheila Sugrue, Mary Moloney

Final year students of the BSc in Human Nutrition & Dietetics, in groups of four and five, worked collaboratively with community groups to identify specific nutritional issues that would be of benefit to the community group.

In 2010 these groups included The Vincentian Refugee Centre, Men Alone in No Man’s Land (MAIN), Rialto Day Care Centre and Rialto Youth Group. In 2011 this was extended to include St Michael's House Glasnevin and Eve Goirtin Training Centre.

Students then presented information to the community group leaders and members and provided them with resource information. Students also completed student group and personal reflections on their projects. Final reports were submitted by each student group and an interim and final oral presentation was undertaken. Included in the final report were recommendations for future work with the relevant community group.

What do the students get from it?

Students will use their understanding of health promotion, public health nutrition and population health principles and approaches to appreciate the development, implementation, support and evaluation of initiatives to promote good health and nutrition in different community sectors. They will also be able to communicate effectively with patients, clients and colleagues in these community settings. They will learn to use the most appropriate forms of communication and other interpersonal skills necessary for effective dietetic practice by translating scientific research on nutrition, health and disease into practical advice. This will empower the individuals and groups they work with to make appropriate lifestyle and dietary changes.

What does the community get from it?

Community partners will benefit from practical dietary/nutrition advice, tailored to their group. They will also benefit from dietary/nutrition resources developed specifically for their community group. Engagement with the students can also help reinforce their already existing health promotion programmes.

Community Partners:

Example of students' work:

Please click here to see the Resource Pack developed by students Christina Purcell, Claire Breen and Lauren Delaney with MAIN project participants.

Also alongside is an example of students' work for their final presentation - please click on the image to see a larger version of the poster. This project was carried out with Rialto Day Care Centre by students Catherine Shortall, Karen Fennell, Eimear Mc Clafferty.