Author Archives: Sharon

Autism, Menstruation & Mental Health – 28 May 2026, 9.30am-1pm

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Poster titled “Autism, Menstruation & Mental Health” on a pink background. The poster explains that autistic women’s health experiences around menstruation, hormones, pregnancy and menopause have often been overlooked or misunderstood. A “Save the Date” graphic appears beside event details: Thursday 28th May, 9:30am–1:00pm at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Craigavon, BT66 6NJ. A QR code invites people to join the conversation. Logos at the bottom include Community Fund, Bolster Community, and Federation of Family Practices Newry & District.

Bolster Community are delighted to invite you to their upcoming half-day event in conjuction with Community Fund and Federation of Family Practices Newry & District:

Autism, Menstruation & Mental Health

This event will explore the impact hormones can have across the lifespan for autistic girls and women—from puberty and menstruation to pregnancy, menopause and mental health.

Bringing together research, medical insight and lived experience, this promises to be an informative, supportive and thought-provoking morning.

Guest Speakers

  • Dr Alison Mackenzie
    A leading academic in Philosophy of Education at Queen’s University Belfast, specialising in inclusion, epistemic injustice and inequality, with a particular focus on how marginalised voices are often unheard.
  • Christine Doyle
    Author of HormoneFull not Hormonal, psychotherapist, community facilitator and late-identified autistic woman, bringing both professional and lived experience.
  • Claire Collins
    Sharing her personal journey and an honest, relatable account of navigating hormonal changes as an autistic woman.
  • Dr Lisa Neligan
    Clinical Lead GP at Kingsbridge Women’s Clinic, offering expert medical insight into women’s health and hormones.

Date: Thursday 28th May
Time: 9:30am – 1:00pm
Venue: Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Craigavon

Please register by scanning the QR code on the attached poster or by emailing sharon@bolstercommunity.org.

The Changing Lives Initiative ADHD Information Workshops – May/June 2026

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Yellow and green poster advertising an “ADHD Information Workshop,” with logos for The Changing Lives Initiative and Colin Neighbourhood Partnership at the top. Text lists concerns such as distraction, losing interest, and acting without thinking. Event details include online sessions on Wednesday 20th May and Tuesday 9th June from 7:00–8:15 pm, or an in-person session on Monday 1st June 2026, 10:00–11:30 am at Carew Centre, 15 Tamar Street, Belfast BT4 1HS. A red heart states “For parents/caregivers of 3–7 year olds.” Additional text invites attendees to learn about inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive behaviours, notes the workshop is free, and provides contact details: info@changinglives.ie or Tel 028 9590 0378

The Changing Lives Initiative: Flourish and Thrive (web site: Changing Lives) offers free early supports to parents/carers of children with or without a diagnosis of ADHD/Autism. They offer a range of interventions including workshops, online supports and evidence-based programmes.

Details of upcoming, free, workshops open to parents/caregivers of children aged 3-7:

Are you concerned about your chld’s behaviours?  Easily distracted, loses interest quickey, never sits still, acts without thinking…..

Come along and find out more about inattentive, hyperstive or impulsive behaviours and how The Changing Lives Initiative can help.

  • Online – Wednesday 20 May 2026, 7-8.15pm or Tuesday 9 June 2026, 7-8.15pm
  • In person – Monday 1 June 2026, 10-11.30am, Carew Centre, 15 Tamar Street, Belfast, BT4 1HS

For more information and to register for one of the workshops email: info@changinglives.ie or tel: 028 9590 0378

Download Flyer

‘Think Outside the Box’ for Children’s Wellbeing Event – 29 April 2026

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Image with a crumpled paper background reading, “The Parent Participation Service warmly welcomes you to… think outside the box,” with “think” in red script, “OUTSIDE” in large blue letters, and “the BOX” in green and yellow, alongside logos for Children in Northern Ireland and CYPSP.

 

On 29th April, the Parent Participation service hosted Think Outside the Box, a free, supportive and informative event for parents, carers, and professionals working with children.

We were delighted to see such a fantastic turnout for this event focused on exploring children’s mental health and wellbeing. Thank you to everyone who attended, as well as to our speakers, facilitators, and all those who supported and contributed on the day.

Watch event video here

May is Women’s Health Month

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Eating well is essential for women at evey stage of life.

To find out more about nutrition and women’s health, scan the QR code below or follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVutsY_gd5AZJ1ItjHH843RiTnQw_kabg

Promotional graphic for Women’s Health Month in May. The text reads “May is Women’s Health Month” and highlights the importance of eating well at every stage of life. A laptop displays the Public Health Dietitians YouTube channel with videos on planning pregnancy, healthy eating during pregnancy, breastfeeding, being a new parent, and managing menopause. To the side, a hand holds a mobile phone showing a QR code inviting viewers to learn more about nutrition and women’s health on YouTube, alongside an “Eating Well” heart-shaped logo

Issue 164 – Southern Area FYI – 2 April 2026

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Welcome to Issue 164 of our newsletter, ‘FYI’ (For Your Information).

A cover page for the “Southern Area Locality Planning Groups” information update, Issue 164 dated 2 April 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 an Easter‑related icon, including a decorated egg, a chick, a bunny and flowers

Download Issue 164

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

 

Our ‘FYI’ Feedback Survey closes today – Visit page 3 to complete the short survey, to help us review and improve this resource.

 As Easter is just around the corner, you will see our CYPSP Children & Young People’s Resource Pack on page 7, providing a wide range of activities to do during the school break.

 This edition of ‘FYI’ also contains information on upcoming training opportunities, events, resources and links for you, colleagues and families to avail of.

 We hope you have a lovely Easter break and catch up in three weeks’ time!

 Locality Development Team, Southern Area