Issue 151 – Southern Area FYI – 26th June 2025

Welcome to Issue 151 of our fortnightly newsletter, ‘FYI’ (For Your Information).

Image with summer theme pictures and text promoting Southern Area Locality Planning Groups FYI (For Your Information)

Image with summer theme pictures and text promoting Southern Area Locality Planning Groups FYI (For Your Information)

Download Issue 151

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

In this our third special edition you will find more information on summer activities taking place across the Southern Trust Area for children, young people and their families. This starts on Page 4. To access the two previous editions, just follow the links on Page 73. We have consistently been asked what provision is available in the summer time and know how valuable this is to families and also practitioners to be able to share.

Our next edition is on Thursday 17th July, so please bear this in mind when sharing your flyers and information – See Page 75 for details of all July to December newsletter dates & deadlines.

We hope you enjoy your summer and get a chance to have a well-earned break!

Locality Development Team, Southern Area

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

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.

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.

 

Are you ready to Talk PANTS? 

From 5th to 16th May 2025, we will be celebrating Talk PANTS, a campaign helping children across Northern Ireland stay safe from sexual abuse.

We have created an easy-to-use guide to help your service engage with Talk PANTS:

Step 1: January & February 2025 Join our Talk PANTS webinar to learn more about the campaign, access our activity sheets and resources.

This will equip you with the knowledge and confidence needed to deliver Talk PANTS. Click here to register your interest. 

Step 2: February to April 2025 Deliver Talk PANTS in your setting. We have lots of suggestions in our support pack (attached) on how to get your families and children involved.

Step 3: May 2025 Celebrate Talk PANTS Fortnight! 

Celebrate with us during Northern Ireland Talk PANTS fortnight (5th – 16th May 2025) by sharing our Talk PANTS content on your social media and spread awareness of the importance of the Talk PANTS campaign.

Step 4: Don’t forget! Share your Talk PANTS activities with us throughout the year by tagging us on social media and use the hashtag #NITalkPANTS