Author Archives: Valerie

FAMILY FUND urgently SEEKING APPLICATIONS FROM FAMILIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND

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FAMILY FUND urgently SEEKING APPLICATIONS FROM FAMILIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND

 We’re now urging families living on low incomes in Northern Ireland, with disabled or seriously ill children or young people aged 17 and under, to apply for urgent grant support for essential items, to see them through these final winter months.

The Minister of Health in Northern Ireland, Robin Swann MLA, has provided Family Fund with £500,000 of additional funding to support approximately 1000 more families facing challenging fuel and energy costs, post-pandemic financial and wider pressures and disproportionate extra costs associated with raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person.

This extra grant support will provide families with essential items, including children’s clothing; white goods such as a cooker, fridge or freezer; sensory or specialist play equipment or technology for children and young people, and assistance with much needed family breaks.  IT DOES NOT INCLUDE HOUSEHOLD BILLS – HEATING OR ELECTRIC.

Over 80% of families with disabled children in Northern Ireland, who responded to a recent survey by Family Fund, reported being financially worse-off, compared to before the pandemic.

NOTE: IF A FAMILY HAS RECEIVED A GRANT WITHIN THE LAST 12 MONTHS THEN UNFORTUNATELY THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE – ELIGIBILITY IS AVAILABLE AT THE WEBSITE LINK BELOW.

Families are asked to apply for a Family Fund grant before the start of March, by visiting Grants: Northern Ireland HERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Spring 2023, the law around organ donation is changing to an opt-out system.

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From Spring 2023, the law around organ donation is changing to an opt-out system. 

The new law will be known as Dáithí’s Law and means, in the event that organ donation is a possibility after you die, it will be considered that you agree to being an organ donor unless you have registered a decision not to donate, or are in an excluded group.

If you do not wish to become an organ donor then you will need to opt out on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Organ donation is a personal decision and you will still have a choice if you wish to donate or not.

Until Dáithí’s Law comes into effect, keep talking about #OrganDonation and sign the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Whatever you decide, please remember to talk to loved ones about your decision so they will know what you would have wanted.

To read more about the law change visit www.organdonationni.info

RIGHTS HERE, RIGHT NOW

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RIGHTS HERE, RIGHT NOW’ 

 Coming soon! 

Youth@CLC, the youth advisory panel at the Children’s Law Centre, are asking 12-17 year olds across Northern Ireland to complete our:

 ‘RIGHTS HERE, RIGHT NOW’ online survey between 14th March and 14th April.

Focused on implementation of children’s rights in this jurisdiction, the survey will inform a Children and Young People’s Report to be submitted to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in September.

This is a chance for children and young people here to have their voice heard by the UN Committee and tell them how their lives could be improved. We are hoping for as many responses as possible between 14th March and 14th April. A lot has happened since the last survey in 2015 and it is critical that our children and young people have their voice heard where it matters. 

Further information will be sent to you later in the month. For now, we hope you could prepare by informing relevant points of contact (i.e. teachers, youth workers, service providers) that the survey will be coming, and where relevant, plan a small amount of time to assist the children and young people you work with in completing it.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Sinead McSorley, Youth Participation and Advocacy Worker by emailing sinead@childrenslawcentre.org