Author Archives: Sharon

Issue 163 – Southern Area FYI – 12 March 2026

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Welcome to Issue 163 of our newsletter, ‘FYI’ (For Your Information).

A cover page for the “Southern Area Locality Planning Groups” information update, Issue 163 dated 12th March 2026. On the left side, an illustrated pair of hands holds a tablet displaying the CYPSP “FYI – For Your Information” logo inside a circular badge. Above this, a blue banner with white text reads “Southern Area Locality Planning Groups,” followed by two right‑pointing chevron arrows. On the right side, the CYPSP (Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership) logo appears at the top. Below it is a grid of coloured squares in green, purple, and blue. Each square contains a communication‑related icon, including an email envelope, a telephone handset, a globe symbol, and a person with a checkmark.

Download Issue 163

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

It’s that time again where we review and look at possible improvements for ‘FYI’ based on your feedback and ideas. Go straight to page 3 to get involved and give us your feedback – Any ideas and queries you may have about ‘FYI’ can be made and we will act and respond to these accordingly. We want to make this resource as user-friendly and useful as possible to all.

In this edition, we also have the usual range of information, opportunities and resources across the Southern Area for children, young people, parents/carers and practitioners. Please feel free to spread the word!

Locality Development Team, Southern Area

Newry & Mourne and South Armagh Schools Networking Event 2026

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Three photos showing people visiting information stalls at a community event, with tables displaying brochures, banners, and materials from various local organisations

Feedback from discussions held at Department of Education RAISE Locality Reference Group meetings for Newry, Cloughreagh and Bessbrook had indicated that local schools were unaware of the range of existing support services they can link into in the community.

The Newry & Mourne and South Armagh Schools Networking Event aimed to raise awareness of local support services in both the Newry & Mourne and South Armagh Areas with school staff, including services for children, young people and families/parents/carers.

Taking place at Newry High School on Wednesday 4th February 2026, the event brought together a wide range of local organisations from statutory, community and voluntary sectors, offering a unique opportunity for both primary and post-primary schools to engage directly with local service providers, while enabling local organisations to strengthen connections and explore opportunities for future collaboration.

Download the Event Scorecard HERE.

View a List of all the Stall Holders from the day, along with a short description of their service, HERE.

 

(The Newry & Mourne and South Armagh LPGs are a partnership of statutory, voluntary, and community organisations working to improve outcomes for children and young people in the Newry & Mourne and South Armagh Areas. The groups are supported by the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP) and each meet five times a year, to share information, build connections, identify local needs, and work together to address them.)

Teddy Bear Hospital – An Croí Community Hub – 11 February 2026

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Promotional poster for Teddy Bear Hospital at An Croí Community Hub, Trench Road, Londonderry. Features a cartoon teddy bear with medical plasters and icons for bloods, X‑ray/MRI, and wearing scrubs. The event takes place Wednesday 11 February 2026 with two sessions, and booking is essential

Together Altnagelvin Parents Group, University of Ulster Child Health Society and WHSCT Health Improvement and Equality Involvement Dept are holding a 2026 Teddy Bear Hospital.

This event is for parents who have children with medical conditions. It’s a fun parent and child event, the aim is to support children who may have experienced medical traumas, supporting learning through play to help reduce anxieties.

Particularly for children with chronic and long-term conditions who may experience anxiety around appointments, procedures, or hospital settings. Children are encouraged to bring a teddy bear and are supported to carry out procedures such as blood tests, MRIs, and other interventions on their teddies, helping to demystify healthcare in a child-friendly and reassuring way.

Event details:

Date:      Wednesday 11th Feb 2026

Venue:   An Croí Community Hub, Trench Road, Derry/Londonderry, BT47 2DT

 

 Times & Booking Links:

Note: Please register each child attending on a separate booking. (1 ticket for each child)

Download Poster

Ygam – FREE Training

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Ygam logo at the top left with a teal circular graphic overlaying an image of a young person lying on a bed using a mobile phone, alongside the text: “Evidence‑based education to safeguard our digital generation.

 

Ygam is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to preventing gaming and gambling harms among young people through awareness raising, education, and research. 

Through a portfolio of evidence-based programmes, they develop and deliver training and resources for a range of groups who have influence over children and young people.  

Download Programme Brochure

 

For more information and to see when the next Ygam workshop is visit www.ygam.org or contact training@ygam.org

 

All About YOUth – Conference for Those Working with Children & Young People – 26 February 2026

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Everyone who works or volunteers with children and young people in the Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Council Area – This day is all about YOU!

📅 Thursday 26th February 2026
⏰ 9.30am–3.30pm
📍 Craigavon Civic & Conference Centre

Join us, and keynote speaker Dr Martin McMullan (CEO, Youth Action), for a day of learning, connection and inspiration, where we’ll be focusing on wellbeing, networking, shared learning and celebrating good practice across the sector.

Light refreshments and lunch will be provided.

Places are limited and booking is essential.🔗 Register here: https://orlo.uk/FtmVC

Download Information Flyer

A promotional poster titled “All about YOUth” for a conference aimed at those working with children and young people. The poster includes colourful speech bubbles with the words “Self-Care,” “Networking,” and “Sharing & Celebrating Good Practice.” Event details list the date as Thursday 26th February, time from 9:30am to 3:30pm, and location at Craigavon Civic & Conference Centre, with light refreshments and lunch provided. A QR code is shown for booking, along with a note that spaces are limited. Logos from The Executive Office, T:buc, T:buc Councils, CYPSP, and Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council appear at the bottom. Two illustrated figures stand on either side of the speech bubbles