Issue 144 – Southern Area FYI – 20th March 2025

Welcome to Issue 144 of our fortnightly newsletter, ‘FYI’ (For Your Information).

Image with text promoting Southern Area Locality Planning Groups FYI (For Your Information)

Image with text promoting Southern Area Locality Planning Groups FYI (For Your Information)

Download Issue 144

(Note: Newsletter will download directly to your device.  Look out for the pop-up box and click on open file when it appears)

Another full edition of ‘FYI’, offering support and resources for the Southern Area.

We are always happy to receive information on opportunities for children, young people and parents/carers across the area, especially at low/no cost!

Keep letting us know what’s happening and we’ll continue to share it here.

Stay connected!

Locality Development Team, Southern Area

Ards & North Down and Down Fortnightly News – Edition 85, March 2025

Welcome back to this Spring edition newsletter for Children and Young People’s Services and Families across the Down and Ards & North Down Locality Planning Groups.

Image with text promoting Ards & North Down and Down CYPSP Locality Planning Group Newsletter March 2025

Image with text promoting Ards & North Down and Down CYPSP Locality Planning Group Newsletter March 2025

Download Issue 85

(Note: Newsletter will download directly to your device.  Look out for the pop-up box and click on open file when it appears)

If you wish to advertise any upcoming programmes or activities or good news stories, please see the guidance on the back page.

Don’t forget to share with your contacts.

Noelle.Hollywood@setrust.hscni.net
Mobile number 07872422101

South Eastern Trust Neurodivergent Café

TRUST’S NEURODIVERGENT CAFÉ PROVIDES WARM WELCOME AND SIGNPOSTS TO VITAL SERVICES

“A resounding success” is how the recent ‘Neurocafé’ held at Downpatrick’s South Eastern Regional College (SERC) has been described by the Downe Hospital’s Senior Social Work Practitioner Niall Rotherham.

Hosted by the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP) Down Locality Planning Group, Niall explained how the idea of the Neurocafé is to create a “welcoming space” that supports those living with neurodiverse conditions, a chance for parents and carers to connect, “shares their experiences” and access support from community and statutory organisations.

“This is an event for parents and carers of children with Autism, ADHD and those awaiting assessments as well,” said Niall. “The Café has been a great partnership approach as we have had different organisations from the community, voluntary and statutory sector coming together to show what our parents and carers can access for their children and young people.”

Service user Ryan Robinson described how much he benefits from attending the ‘Neurodivergent (ND)1’ peer network support group. “This is a group for neurodivergent people ran by the Trust. I’ve met friends, I’ve met a lot of new people and groups such as the NOW as well as groups who offer mental health support and employment support.”

Service User Quinn Reilly added, “This is a great social opportunity and with ND1 we go on trips and do arts and crafts. It’s a great thing to be a part of.

Quinn described how important it is to spread awareness for parents with children, “who are neurodivergent” for them to know and see that they are not alone.

Niall shared how important it is to promote neurodivegence, “Its strengths, the positives around it and also helping parents and carers to link in with key services and supports.”

“Sometimes it is hard to know what services, what support is out there but with the Café we are all under one roof. There is a greater understanding around neurodivegence. It is important that we have these events and link people into vital services.”

– ENDS –

For further information please contact:

mediateam@setrust.hscni.net

Pictured:

L-R Downe Hospital’s Senior Social Work Practitioner Niall Rotherham, MDT Social Work Manager Rachel Duncan, Anne Tumelty, Health Visitor Downpatrick, Newry Mourne and Down District Council’s Katrina Hynds, South Eastern Trust’s Health Development Practitioner Noelle Hollywood, Anne-Marie Dooey, MDT Social Work Lead North Down and Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP) Down Locality Planning Group Louise Dickson

Western Area FYI – Issue 16 – March 2025

Your FYI is a monthly round up of all things family support and early intervention / prevention across the Western trust and beyond.

Image with text promoting FYI (For Your Information)

Image with text promoting FYI (For Your Information)

Download Issue 16

(Note: Newsletter will download directly to your device.  Look out for the pop-up box and click on open file when it appears)

If you would like to contribute upcoming consultations, training, articles, or events that practitioners from the community, voluntary or statutory sectors within the Western Trust will find useful please contact:

Dr Priscilla Magee – Mobile  07880723076     priscilla.magee@westerntrust.hscni.net

Paul Sweeney – Mobile  07387259117     paul.sweeney@westerntrust.hscni.net