Mental health will be targeted as one of his main initiatives by the new President of the Rotary Club of Enniskillen, Mr. Henry Robinson, who took up office last week, in succession to Mr. Kenny Fisher, immediate Past President. 

Speaking at the Presidential handover last Monday afternoon, Henry, a member of Enniskillen Rotary Club since 2013, outlining his projects for the year, highlighted that his community focus will be on mental health, which he said is “eventually being taken seriously as being the largest threat to health so it is my hope that we as a Club also play our part.”

He noted: “Fermanagh has a higher than average suicide rate and the younger age group are the most vulnerable, so I think it is fitting that we should address this problem in society.”

Mr. Robinson explained: “New Horizons Fermanagh based at Drumcoo have Introduced a Boost Programme to help the 18 – 25 year olds – the most vulnerable age group. 

“There they hope to re-build confidence and self esteem to enable participants to re-engage in main stream education and/or employment.

“They sadly lack a much needed recreational area where affected young people can relax, listen to music / watch movies, socialise and feel part of their peer group and rebuild their confidence and self esteem.

Together it is my hope that we can provide them with that facility to enable them to be even more successful in preventing suicides.”

He continued: “Another project that we should assist in is the Peace Project which seeks to address cyber bullying by young people. This is all a very big challenge for the Club.”

In reference to international initiatives, Mr. Robinson said they hope “to continue to support Project H2O and Jole Rider projects where the Club has already transported over 1000 bicycles to Loughan House.”

In addition to Mr. Robinson’s installation during the weekly luncheon at the Killyhevlin Hotel last Monday, other officers to take up office included Siobhan O’Reilly, who became President Elect, and Jisbinder Sembhi, who became 1st Vice President. Mr. Kenny Fisher, who became immediate Past President, was commended by the new President, Henry Robinson who acknowledged that Kenny had “an exceptional and very busy year, taking this Club to new heights.”

Henry, a well-known face in the community, is currently a Senior Engineer with DFI Roads (formerly Roads Service), and is soon to retire after 44 years service in various branches within Western Division. For the last 23 years he has been Section Engineer for Fermanagh based in Enniskillen.

Originally from Irvinestown, he now lives in Ballinamallard with his wife Sandra and daughter Sophie. Sandra (nee Brunt from Trillick) works for the Department of Agriculture and Sophie is currently working in Enniskillen having returned from College in Canada.

Henry and Sandra’s son Trevor, who is a lecturer in Queen’s University, lives in Belfast with his wife Joanne and their children Jasmine and Lucas.

Other interests for Henry include his involvement in his local church, Magheracross Parish, being a member of the Select Vestry, a member of Clogher Diocesan Council and Diocesan Synod. He is also a member of the Board of Governors of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School.

He has a keen interest in local history and is chairman of Ballinamallard Historical Society. Henry served as Sheriff for Co. Fermanagh in 2014.