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

Ards & North Down and Down Fortnightly News – Edition 85, March 2025

Welcome back to this Spring edition newsletter for Children and Young People’s Services and Families across the Down and Ards & North Down Locality Planning Groups.

Image with text promoting Ards & North Down and Down CYPSP Locality Planning Group Newsletter March 2025

Image with text promoting Ards & North Down and Down CYPSP Locality Planning Group Newsletter March 2025

Download Issue 85

(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 wish to advertise any upcoming programmes or activities or good news stories, please see the guidance on the back page.

Don’t forget to share with your contacts.

Noelle.Hollywood@setrust.hscni.net
Mobile number 07872422101

South Eastern Trust Neurodivergent Café

TRUST’S NEURODIVERGENT CAFÉ PROVIDES WARM WELCOME AND SIGNPOSTS TO VITAL SERVICES

“A resounding success” is how the recent ‘Neurocafé’ held at Downpatrick’s South Eastern Regional College (SERC) has been described by the Downe Hospital’s Senior Social Work Practitioner Niall Rotherham.

Hosted by the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP) Down Locality Planning Group, Niall explained how the idea of the Neurocafé is to create a “welcoming space” that supports those living with neurodiverse conditions, a chance for parents and carers to connect, “shares their experiences” and access support from community and statutory organisations.

“This is an event for parents and carers of children with Autism, ADHD and those awaiting assessments as well,” said Niall. “The Café has been a great partnership approach as we have had different organisations from the community, voluntary and statutory sector coming together to show what our parents and carers can access for their children and young people.”

Service user Ryan Robinson described how much he benefits from attending the ‘Neurodivergent (ND)1’ peer network support group. “This is a group for neurodivergent people ran by the Trust. I’ve met friends, I’ve met a lot of new people and groups such as the NOW as well as groups who offer mental health support and employment support.”

Service User Quinn Reilly added, “This is a great social opportunity and with ND1 we go on trips and do arts and crafts. It’s a great thing to be a part of.

Quinn described how important it is to spread awareness for parents with children, “who are neurodivergent” for them to know and see that they are not alone.

Niall shared how important it is to promote neurodivegence, “Its strengths, the positives around it and also helping parents and carers to link in with key services and supports.”

“Sometimes it is hard to know what services, what support is out there but with the Café we are all under one roof. There is a greater understanding around neurodivegence. It is important that we have these events and link people into vital services.”

– ENDS –

For further information please contact:

mediateam@setrust.hscni.net

Pictured:

L-R Downe Hospital’s Senior Social Work Practitioner Niall Rotherham, MDT Social Work Manager Rachel Duncan, Anne Tumelty, Health Visitor Downpatrick, Newry Mourne and Down District Council’s Katrina Hynds, South Eastern Trust’s Health Development Practitioner Noelle Hollywood, Anne-Marie Dooey, MDT Social Work Lead North Down and Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP) Down Locality Planning Group Louise Dickson

Improving Your Gut Health

Online workshop with hints & tips to improve your gut health, which also helps improve immunity, skin, digestion, sleep & mental health – Monday 17th February at 11am or thursday 27th February at 7pm.

 

Ards & North Down and Down Fortnightly News – Edition 84, February 2025

Welcome back to this New Year edition newsletter for Children and Young People’s Services and Families across the Down and Ards & North Down Locality Planning Groups, special focus on Children’s Mental Health Week & Neurodiversity.

Image with text promoting Ards & North Down and Down CYPSP Locality Planning Group Newsletter February 2025

Download Fortnightly News – February 2025

If you wish to advertise any upcoming programmes or activities or good news stories, please see the guidance on the back page.

Don’t forget to share with your contacts.

Noelle.Hollywood@setrust.hscni.net
Mobile number 07872422101