Author Archives: Sharon

TOGETHER FOR FAMILIES – Enhanced Family Support Service (EFSS) Information Sessions

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Logos for Together for Families, the Department of Health, and The National Lottery Community Fund displayed side by side on a white background. Below the Department of Health logo is the text: “A Public Sector Transformation Project.”

Logos for Together for Families, the Department of Health, and The National Lottery Community Fund displayed side by side on a white background. Below the Department of Health logo is the text: “A Public Sector Transformation Project.”

 

TOGETHER FOR FAMILIES

Enhanced Family Support Service (EFSS) Information

Together for Families is hosting online information sessions for organisations interested in applying for funding to deliver Enhanced Family Support Services as part of Together for Families (Together For Families webpage – https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/articles/together-families).

WEBINARS

The webinar sessions are aimed at Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations with extensive experience of supporting families in NI who have complex needs. We would encourage any organisation considering applying to attend one of these sessions.

Each of the webinar sessions will cover:

  • Overview of the Enhanced Family Support Service vision
  • Context for Change
  • Who will benefit
  • Eligibility Information
  • Partnership and Collaboration
  • Grant Timeline
  • Q&A about the EFSS

Webinars: Dates and Times

Session 1 Monday 3 August 10am – 11.30 am
Session 2 Monday 3 August 3.00pm – 4.30pm
Session 3 Thursday 6 August 10am – 11.30am
Session 4 Thursday 6 August 1pm – 2.30pm
Session 5 Friday 7 August 10am – 11.30am

 

If you have any questions before or after the webinars, please contact the Together for Families Team by email: togetherforfamilies@health-ni.gov.uk

 

MARKET ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS 

Following the webinars, for those organisations that remain interested in applying for funding to deliver Enhanced Family Support, there will be further engagement through ‘In Person’ Market Engagement sessions in each HSCT area to facilitate further discussion on family support needs and priorities in each area.

Key HSCT representatives will be present at each session to outline specific requirements in responding to their local needs. These events and will require booking ahead to allow for appropriate planning.

Dates/times and location are listed below; any further updates will be on the Together for Families webpage on the Department of Health website – https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/articles/together-families    

 

Monday 10 August 

 

 

 10.30am – 1pm 

 

 

 SEHSCT 

Location: Lagan Valley Civic Centre, 1 The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL 
Tuesday 11 August 

 

 

 10.30am – 1pm 

 

 

 BHSCT  

Location: Newforge Sports Complex, 18B Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5NW 
Wednesday 12 August 

 

 2.30pm – 5pm 

 

 NHSCT  

Location: Antrim, Space-NI, 55-59 High Street, Antrim 
Thursday 13 August 

 

 2pm – 4.30pm 

 

 SHSCT  

Location: Newry, Mourne and Country Hotel, 52 Belfast Road, Newry, BT34 1TR 
Friday 14 August 

 

 10.30am – 1pm 

 

 WHSCT  

Location: Strabane Enterprise Centre, Orchard Road, BT82 9FR 

 

You can register for both Webinar and Market Engagement by emailing togetherforfamilies@health-ni.gov.uk.  Please specify whether you wish to attend the Webinar and/or Market Engagement. For Market Engagement events please clarify the date and location.

 

Please feel free to share this information with organisations with relevant experience who may be interested. We look forward to welcoming you.  

Together for Families – Supporting Better Outcomes for Children, Young People and Families Across Northern Ireland.

 

Download Information Flyer – https://cypsp.hscni.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/TFF-Information-Sessions-Webinar-Aug-26-flyer.pdf

e-Bug Resource

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Promotional leaflet for e-Bug, a free health education programme operated by the UK Health Security Agency. The leaflet promotes flexible, interactive resources for youth groups, community organisations and informal learning settings across Northern Ireland. It includes the e-Bug logo, photos of young people taking part in activities, and a "Beat the Bugs" resource cover. Key messages highlight learning to prevent infections spreading, practise good hand hygiene and keep antibiotics working. The leaflet lists resources such as guides for youth leaders, step-by-step activities, interactive games and discussions, and the Antibiotic Guardian youth badge. Contact details, a website link (www.e-Bug.eu/en-xi), email address (amr@hscni.net) and a QR code are provided.

Promotional leaflet for e-Bug, a free health education programme operated by the UK Health Security Agency. The leaflet promotes flexible, interactive resources for youth groups, community organisations and informal learning settings across Northern Ireland. It includes the e-Bug logo, photos of young people taking part in activities, and a “Beat the Bugs” resource cover. Key messages highlight learning to prevent infections spreading, practise good hand hygiene and keep antibiotics working. The leaflet lists resources such as guides for youth leaders, step-by-step activities, interactive games and discussions, and the Antibiotic Guardian youth badge. Contact details, a website link (www.e-Bug.eu/en-xi), email address (amr@hscni.net) and a QR code are provided.

The e-Bug Programme is an international partnership hosted by UKHSA. It aims to help countries respond to their National Action Plans to contain and control antimicrobial resistance, by promoting context specific public education on preventing infections and responding to antimicrobial resistance 

The e-Bug programme supports UK Government efforts to respond to antimicrobial resistance by promoting public education on: 

  • Preventing infection, including promoting good hygiene practices in homes, schools and communities
  • Understanding the symptoms and signs of infection, and knowing when to self-care and when to seek professional advice
  • Knowing the risks and benefits of antimicrobials, and only taking them as and when directed by a healthcare professional

This is done by providing wrap around messaging to children and young people through their trusted information sources, including their schools, their parents and caregivers, and their community leaders. 

Download Flyer

e-Bug website – https://www.e-bug.eu/en-xi

Western Area FYI: Issue 32 – August 2026

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

Cover page of the “FYI – For Your Information” newsletter for August 2026, Issue 33. The page has a blue background with the FYI logo at the top left and logos for the Western Health and Social Care Trust and CYPSP at the top right. A contents list highlights: Welcome to FYI; Section 1 Family Support; Section 2 Youth Support; Section 3 Cost of Living; Section 4 Neurodiversity; Section 5 Infant Mental Health/Breastfeeding; Section 6 Digital Safeguarding; Section 7 Addiction; Section 8 Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health; Section 9 Training/Conferences; Section 10 Western Sure Start Projects and Family Support Hubs; Section 11 Useful Links and Informative Media Links; and Section 12 UNCRC in Action.

Cover page of the “FYI – For Your Information” newsletter for August 2026, Issue 33. The page has a blue background with the FYI logo at the top left and logos for the Western Health and Social Care Trust and CYPSP at the top right. A contents list highlights: Welcome to FYI; Section 1 Family Support; Section 2 Youth Support; Section 3 Cost of Living; Section 4 Neurodiversity; Section 5 Infant Mental Health/Breastfeeding; Section 6 Digital Safeguarding; Section 7 Addiction; Section 8 Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health; Section 9 Training/Conferences; Section 10 Western Sure Start Projects and Family Support Hubs; Section 11 Useful Links and Informative Media Links; and Section 12 UNCRC in Action.

 

Download Issue 33

(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

The King’s Trust Newsletter – August 2026

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Banner header for The King's Trust Newsletter. On a dark pink/red background, the white King's Trust logo appears on the left. On the right, white text reads “The King's Trust Newsletter” with “Northern Ireland, August 2026” underneath.

Banner header for The King’s Trust Newsletter. On a dark pink/red background, the white King’s Trust logo appears on the left. On the right, white text reads “The King’s Trust Newsletter” with “Northern Ireland, August 2026” underneath.

The King’s Trust have so many great courses for young people aged 16-30 to get involved in. Courses are free and give people the tools to build their confidence, find a job or start their own business.

View August 2026 Newsletter

 

Think Outside the Box Event – April 2026

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Think Outside the Box Event Strengthens Support for Children’s Emotional Wellbeing.

Cover page of the Supporting Children’s Emotional Health & Wellbeing – Think Outside the Box Event Scorecard. The design features a purple and light teal split background with the title “Supporting Children’s Emotional Health & Wellbeing” and “Think Outside the Box Event”. The cover notes that the scorecard is hosted by the Parent Participation Service and includes the logos of Children in Northern Ireland, CYPSP and Parentline NI.

Cover page of the Supporting Children’s Emotional Health & Wellbeing – Think Outside the Box Event Scorecard. The design features a purple and light teal split background with the title “Supporting Children’s Emotional Health & Wellbeing” and “Think Outside the Box Event”. The cover notes that the scorecard is hosted by the Parent Participation Service and includes the logos of Children in Northern Ireland, CYPSP and Parentline NI.

Parents, carers and professionals from across Northern Ireland came together for the Think Outside the Box event in April 2026, hosted by the Parent Participation Service, to explore new ways of supporting children’s emotional health and wellbeing. The event provided an opportunity to learn about a range of therapeutic approaches, connect with local services and share experiences in a supportive environment. 

The event attracted strong interest, with 100 registrations and a waiting list, highlighting the demand for information and support around children’s emotional wellbeing. Attendees took part in workshops on Equine Therapy, Lego Therapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy and Poetry Therapy, alongside networking opportunities and expert presentations.

Feedback showed a significant positive impact, with 98% of participants finding the event useful and 100% saying they would recommend it to others. Participants reported feeling more confident, better informed and more aware of local support services following the event.

The accompanying scorecard provides a detailed overview of the event, highlighting attendance, participant feedback and the positive outcomes achieved for parents, carers and professionals.

Read the full scorecard at: https://cypsp.hscni.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Think-Outside-The-Box-Event-Scorecard.pdf