Category Archives: Newsletters

Onside Project

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Onside Project

The ONSIDE Project offers people who are 16+ and who have a disability, the opportunity to get more digitally and socially included. Participants receive a tablet device, and get 6/7 sessions of beginners group training on things like email, using zoom, online safety and accessing books and magazines online for free and lots more. Participants are also linked with a Community Navigator who will then map out tailored social connections e.g. online hobbies, online health & well-being classes and social media platforms, based on participants’ interests and needs. After the training has finished there is also the opportunity to get involved in volunteering on the project too.

More info: https://www.disabilityaction.org/pages/category/onside-project

If you know anyone who would like to get involved in the ONSIDE project simply ask them to complete the form here, and a member of ONSIDE staff will be in touch with them: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7C9ZSF3

Southern Area LPG Information Bulletin – 11th March 2021

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Welcome to the 55th edition of our information bulletin, FYI (For Your Information).

FYI – Issue 55 – 11th March 2021

Census Day is fast approaching so we have included relevant information in pages 2-5 regarding the process and additional support and information. Please take some time to read through and hopefully this can help those who work with families, to complete the process.

To advertise in our next edition on 25th March, please send any relevant information by Tuesday 23rd March. Some helpful hints are on the last slide, along with dates of our next Locality Planning Group meetings which you are welcome to attend.

Stay connected!

Kerry O’Hagan and Darren Curtis

Locality Development Team, Southern Trust Area

8th Annual Social Work and Social Care Research in Practice Conference

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The CYPSP Team were delighted to be chosen to share two presentations and three posters at the 8th Annual Social work and Social Care Research in Practice Conference on Wednesday 10th March 2021 on the Impact of Covid19 on Children and Young People, Our Journey through Disability Co-production and the new Translation Hub needs assessment/development.

Una Casey, Business Support Manager presented research on the impact of COVID-19 on families, children and young people and emotional mental health.  Also Darren Curtis, Locality Development officer, and Jim McDonnell, a parent presented on their excellent example of co-production work within the Newry Locality Planning Group on Our Journey through Disability.

CYPSP also submitted 3 posters to the conference demonstrating some of the broad work of the Partnership based on research, evidence, co-production and partnership. Huge congratulations to Una for winning 2nd prize on her poster relaying her research on the Impact of Covid-19 on families, Children and Young People.  Also well done to Michael Hill and Valerie Maxwell, CYPSP Information team, for designing and producing the posters and video which are available to download in PDF format below.  Just click on each poster:-  View Video at Translation-Hub-Video – Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP) (hscni.net)

Vaccine information For Young Carers

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Action for Children and Barnardo’s have been in contact with the Department of Health and the Medical advisor of the Covid 19 Vaccine programme.  We have asked for some updated guidance on Young Carers, aged 8-18 years old, and their position in the Vaccine groups and to ensure young carers are acknowledged in this guidance.

Firstly, the Department of Health and the Covid 19 Vaccine Team would like to recognise the vital role and service, Young Carers provide, in caring for their family members especially during this pandemic.  Also mentioned were the additional pressures of remote learning as well as dealing with their own and their families emotions associated with the lockdown measures.

According to the recently updated JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) guidance and confirmation from the Covid 19 Vaccine Team, carers over the age of 18 can access the vaccine.  Those who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable or Clinically Vulnerable can access the vaccine from age 16 years. 

With regards to the Young Carers under 18 years of age, the Covid 19 Vaccine team have advised it is more important that the person they are caring for, gets vaccinated and thus protected. Even if the young person were vaccinated, they can still transmit the infection to others including those they care for.

Only one of the vaccines (Pfizer) is currently approved for use in young people aged 16 and 17. Clinical trials using AstraZeneca in young people are currently ongoing.  It is hoped that there will be some updates about these trials this year.

The Vaccine team have advised that Covid-19 in young people tends to be a relatively mild illness and, in some cases, it is asymptomatic.

We hope that this is helpful information and gives some clarity to Young Carers and their families

Download pdf