Family Support Hub Collective – 8 April 2025

On Tuesday 8th April an event took place bringing Hub Coordinators from across the region to chat and learn from each other and we were joined by number of speakers who really enriched the discussions and brought extra value to the day. We were delighted to welcome Jacinta Linden, CE of Bolster Community in Newry and Deirdre Mahon, former director of Children’s Services in Western Trust who are the co-chairs of the Family Support Workstream of the Children’s Services Reform Board and Catherine Cooke, the reform Coordinator working on that workstream. The workstream (Workstream 9) was established as part of the Children’s Services Reform Process to reform Children’s Services.

 

 

We kicked off the day with the theme of “different but the same” and completed an exercise to further examine the differences in how Hubs work in their areas. This was a great conversation starter and allowed us to consider possible draw backs and benefits of these different approaches. It also provided Jacinta, Deirdre and Catherine with an overview of the wider Hub Network. Jacinta and Deirdre then provided an update on the work they’re leading on and what that might mean going forward. We appreciate them taking the time out of very busy schedules to come and listen to and get an understanding of the Family Support Hub Network and how that fits in our current early family support system. As one of the Coordinators so eloquently summarised, we are working in different ways with the same principles and towards the same goals.

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following the exercise, we had a presentation from Nora and Sarah from Co-operation Ireland’s Our Generation Project. They spoke about their role, an overview of the project, current partners and the potential opportunities for families and organisation in the Hub Networks to avail of their support.

 

 

 

 

We then had a presentation from Margaret, the Partnership Manager from Money and Pension Service. Given the rise in the number of families who report financial difficulties coming to hubs this was a very timely presentation. Financial pressures are not just faced by our families and the information was useful to all of us in the room too. She explored the link between financial difficulties and poor outcomes for families as well as the importance of those working with families to have the confidence and knowledge to best support these families. Improving the skills and confidence of the Hubs in providing the best information to families will be something we will be exploring going forward.

 

 

 After a well-earned break for lunch we finished up the day with the fabulous Ed Sipler. We have shared many of Ed’s resources in previous editions of the FSH Newsletter and so I was delighted he was able to join us in person to help round up the day. Ed’s passion for his work around self-care and self-compassion was so evident in his presentation.  We got a really accessible overview what self-care and compassion are, the science and impact it has on our bodies but Ed also kindly took us through some simple techniques to help ourselves. I will certainly be making the effort to introduce some of these techniques in to my daily routine. As always, Ed walked us through some of the resources available to support ourselves and to share with colleagues and families as well as what training he will be offering in the coming months.

 

 

It was a busy and educative day. I would like to once again thank all of the Hub Coordinator staff, old and new who came to join us, the speakers Nora, Sarah, Margaret and Ed, the Workstream 9 leadership of Jacinta, Deirdre and Catherine, the staff at The Junction and a final huge thank you to Louise and Yvonne from the Children’s Planning Team who made the day possible.

 

A day spent with our Hub teams is always a day well spent!

Bronwyn

 

 

 

 

 

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

FSH Newsletter – October Edition

The October edition of the Family Support Hub Newsletter is now available to https://cypsp.hscni.net/download/391/family-support-hubs/42040/oct23-fsh-newsletter.pdf

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

This edition is packed with useful information about services and events. In the coming editions of the newsletter we are going to showcase our Coordinators and their Hubs. Kicking us off we have Seána Connor from the Fermanagh Hub hosted my Action for Children.

It is also packed full of information for parents/carers, early years, children & young people with a disability,  mental health and wellbeing advice,  Helplines and much more – make sure you download your copy now!

Previous editions of the newsletter are available at  http://www.cypsp.hscni.net/family-support-hubs  under Family Support Newsletter section.

 

Family Support Hub Newsletter- August 2023

The August edition of the Family Support Hub Newsletter is now available to download.

 

Download here

(Please 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 edition we have included useful information, hints and tips to ease you into autumn and the new term.  The FSH Annual reports for 2022/23 are also all available on the CYPSP website.

It is also packed full of information for parents/carers, early years, children & young people with a disability,  mental health and wellbeing advice,  Helplines and much more – make sure you download your copy now!

Previous editions of the newsletter are available at  http://www.cypsp.hscni.net/family-support-hubs  under Family Support Newsletter section.

Family Support Hub Newsletter – June 2023

The June edition of the Family Support Hub Newsletter is now available to download

 

https://cypsp.hscni.net/download/391/family-support-hubs/40990/fsh-newsletter-jun2023.pdf 

(Please 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 edition we have included some low or no cost ideas to keep the kids entertained over the summer holidays. You may also be aware that the CYPSP recently launched a fabulous new regional guide designed by parents of children with disabilities to help and support other parents. If you haven’t seen it yet please make sure to have a look. Further information and the link to the resource can be found in the Newsletter.

It is also packed full of information for parents/carers, early years, children & young people with a disability,  mental health and wellbeing advice,  Helplines and much more – make sure you download your copy now!

 

Previous editions of the newsletter are available at  http://www.cypsp.hscni.net/family-support-hubs  under Family Support Newsletter section.