Safety Nets: Social Security for Families in a Devolved UK

Image showing 2 people and row of houses.Text - Is there something you'd like to share about your experience with benefits?

Image showing 2 people and row of houses. Text – Is there something you’d like to share about your experience with benefits?

The research team which includes six universities from across the UK would really appreciate your help in spreading the word. It explores how benefits vary across all 4 countries of the UK and how this impacts families with dependent children. 

As a central part of the project, we’re holding a series of 14 online discussion workshops with parents and carers in receipt of benefits to hear about their experiences and what needs to change. The workshops are open to parents/carers across the UK who receive at least one UK benefit, such as Universal Credit, PIP, or Tax Credits, or who are receiving asylum support. 

The discussions will take place in small, friendly online groups where participants can share their personal experiences and ideas for policy change. To thank them for their time, we are offering £50 in Love2Shop vouchers for each 2.5 hour workshop they attend, with the opportunity to take part in up to two workshops on different topics relating to social security (e.g. employment support, free school meals, welfare mitigations).

Uisce from the research team would be delighted to arrange a Zoom call if you’d like to discuss this further and can be reached on 07552 285828 or safety-nets-project@york.ac.uk

 

Image with text and QR code

Image with text and QR code

Issue 148 – Southern Area FYI – 15th May 2025

Welcome to Issue 148 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 148

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

On Page 3 you will see a call to submit any summer activities you are planning and want to promote for children, young people and families. This makes it easier for parents, carers and practitioners to access this important information. Please also include any local activities you are aware of, as well as free/very low costs resources.

We have included our School Uniform Recycling Toolkit on Page 4. This is a free practical resource for use by any group who want to set up and run a recycling scheme in their area. To find out more about this and learn how we can help support you, please contact us at the usual address. 

It is Mental Health Awareness Week. You will also find, in this edition, a wide range of resources, advice & support for your mental health and wellbeing. Please share this information widely with children, young people & families who might benefit from receiving it.

Stay connected! 

Locality Development Team, Southern Area

School Uniform Recycling Toolkit 2025

Graphic with text - Southern Area School Uniform Recycling Toolkit

Graphic with text – Southern Area School Uniform Recycling Toolkit

 

 

The Southern Area School Uniform Recycling Toolkit is a FREE resource for any school, community organisation or group to use to help set up a recycling scheme.

Including editable flyers, checklist templates and evaluation tools, this resource can be used across Northern Ireland and is available to download NOW!

For anyone who wishes to use the Toolkit, or for further information, e-mail localityplanning@ci-ni.org.uk, as we aim to track all usage of the resource to demonstrate the impact of this initiative.

Launch of PB Tak£500+ 2025

Do you have an idea that you feel would have a positive impact on your Community?

Communities can apply for up to £1000 for a project they think will benefit their area and best of all, local residents will decide which projects should get the money!

Image with text promoting TAKE 500+

Image with text promoting TAKE 500+

TAKE500 Application form 

TAKE500 Guidance notes 

TAKE500 FAQ’s

Issue 147 – Southern Area FYI – 1st May 2025

Welcome to Issue 147 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 147

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

We hope that everyone is back & feeling refreshed after the recent Easter break. It seems that local services & organisations have hit the ground running, as we have a wide range of training opportunities, workshops, events, parenting programmes & activities for families included in what is another jam-packed edition of our newsletter!

Be sure to take a look on Page 3, which includes a link to download the NI Outcome Monitoring Report 2023/24, recently published by CYPSP, full of multi-agency population indicators. This is a great resource for assessing need and planning services and can also be used as evidence for funding opportunities.

Stay connected!

Locality Development Team, Southern Area