Category Archives: family support hubs

Prof Ray Jones’ Visit to Upper Springfield/Whiterock Family Support Hub

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On 5 July 2022, the Upper Springfield/Whiterock Family Support Hub were delighted to welcome Prof  Ray Jones – Emeritus Professor of Social Work at Kington University and St George’s, University of London and a registered Social Worker.

It was an amazing opportunity for some of the families and services providers in the Upper Springfield/Whiterock lead body organsiation – the Whiterock Children’s Centre to speak with Prof Jones who has over 50 years experience in social care and as a Social Work Practitioner, manager, teacher and researcher and in 2022 appointed to undertake the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care in North of Ireland.

Over the last 50+ years Prof Jones has been involved in an advisory capacity on a range of issues, inquiries, written books and research and has a wealth of experience and accomplishments to date.

Prof Jones’ visit to Whiterock Children’s Centre was a wonderful opportunity for families, service providers and Upper Springfeld/Whiterock Hub and lead organisations to give an insight into the diverse range of services and partners that come together to help make an amazing Hub!.

Upper Springfield/Whiterock Hub mantra – “we are only as good as those services around the table” is something that the Hub feel strongly about and they have continued to build upon from when the Hub was established in 2014.

The morning discussion focused on the strength in service providers coming together and working together – community, statutory and voluntary to provide the best possible bespoke support to suit the needs of each family how contact Upper Springfield/Whiterock Family Support Hub.

Families also spoke at length about the Upper Springfield/Whiterock Family Support Hub, the level of support and services provided by the core and associate members and how such support made a huge difference in their lives as a family.  Such experiences noted included help with social isolation, integration into new area/community, practical support, counselling, emotional and behavioural support for adults and children, help for those families awaiting assessment etc.

For the Hub, it was a humbling experience to hear just how such services have helped some of their families and the Hub were hugely grateful that families took time to note their own personal experiences in such an open forum.  At times it was very moving meeting and a privilege for Hub staff/service providers to hear some of the individual experiences from those present.

Hub staff and service providers look forward to reading the independent review and will continue to build upon the good work of the Upper Springfield/Whiterock Family Support Hub in the time ahead, as  they are only too aware that families need such Family Support Hubs and it is likely that the demand will only increase in the months ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family Support Hub Celebration Event – June 2022

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On 24 June 2022 the CYPSP Support Team, Family Support Hub (Hub) Coordinators, Hub members and other integral Partners came together for the first time since 2018, to reflect on and celebrate the work of the Hubs with particular focus on the work of the Hubs and members during the pandemic.

The day also provided an opportunity for Bronwyn Campbell to meet Hub Coordinators in person for the first time since taking up the role of Regional Family Support Hub Coordinator within the Health & Social Care Board (now SPPG/DoH) at the beginning of January 2022.

Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency and CYPSP Chairperson, opened the event, reflecting on the achievements of the Hubs.

Valerie Maxwell (Children’s Services Planning & Information Manager, SPPG/DoH) presented an animated video summarising the 2021/22 Annual Report, before Bronwyn Campbell addressed the Coordinators.

Presentations followed from Coordinators and Hub members – Lisa Grant (Craigavon & Portadown Hub), Alison Slater (Newry Hub), Joanne McCourt (Belfast Central Mission), Claire Larkin (Northern Area Hubs) and Sharon Nelson (Springfield & Whiterock Hub) who showcased how they adapted and changed their services in creative ways to enabled them to continue to meet the needs of the families and young people despite lockdown.

James Gallagher from Lifeline gave a fantastic presentation on “Caring for the Caregiver” and Eugene Mone from Barnardo’s brought along the Sensory Overload Virtual Reality Experience, a really powerful and thought provoking piece of work.

After a group exercise facilitated by Maxine Gibson (Children’s Services Planning Professional Advisor, SPPG/DoH) looking at what Coordinators seen as the challenges facing the Hubs in the next 12 months and how to rise to these challenges, the event was brought to a close by Maurice Leeson (Programme Manager Partnerships, Emotional Health & Wellbeing, CAMHS and Disability, SPPG/DoH).  This was particularly fitting given that Maurice played such a central role in the establishment of the Hub Network.

 

Southern Area Family Support Hubs Steering Group

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The Southern Area Hubs Steering Group met in January and have begun to measure the outcomes from services they procure through their Outcomes Group funding using the outcomes star.
To date this has shown good outcomes for families including improved well-being and improved parenting skills and relationships.
There continue to be strong connections between these 3 Hubs and the range of Parenting Programmes delivered across the Southern Area.

The Craigavon /Banbridge Hub recently conducted a study of users perspectives and perceptions of the Hub . One parent commented “I was willing to take any help… Because my son has been through a phase… It’s always nice to speak to someone other than family and not have to make an appointment to go and see the GP. It’s nice that somebody’s coming out to your house… in your own environment and getting any issues that you might have out in the open.” Another said “There’s a lot of good programmes there that can help you… That’s the best way to get information from a co-ordinated place; they have all the information from different projects available and can co-ordinate that for you.”

View the Report Card Here

Community Family Support Programme

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Do you or a member of your family need support with finding employment or accessing education/training?

If you are aged 16-65 years old, unemployed or working less than 16 hours per week & not in education or training FREE personalised training & support is available via the Community Family Support Programme.

Click the flyer below for more details.

For more information contact your local office :
Mid Ulster: 028 8676 6078
Mid & East Antrim: 028 2568 9509
Antrim & Newtownabbey: 028 9447 7248

Alternatively email: cfsp@networkpersonnel.org.uk

 

 

 

Southern Area Family Support Hubs Celebration Event

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The Family Support Hub hosts in the Southern Outcomes Group area, held a celebration event on 22 May, to recognise the support to 3262 families over the last 6 years in their area and also to thank all their partner organisations.

Afternoon tea was served at Ballydougan Pottery, Bleary, Craigavon and Olwen Lyner (CEO NIACRO) welcomed everyone to the event.  Donna Murphy from the SHSCT provided an overview of the success of the Hubs and the links to CYPSP, the Outcomes Group and Locality Planning stressing the importance of early intervention and family support.

Helen Dunn (Regional Co-ordinator Family Support Hubs, CYPSP) gave the regional perspective and congratulated all those present on the tremendous work they had undertaken and commended them on the significant difference they had made to the lives of  families and children in the Southern area.

Deirdre McLaughlin  from Connected for Life reminded everyone on the need for self -care. Jacinta Linden (CEO SPACE ) concluded the afternoon event with some encouraging quotes including ” Lovely venue, good company and very much appreciated by all present! Well done everyone!”