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

Issue 148 – Southern Area FYI – 15th May 2025

Welcome to Issue 148 of our fortnightly newsletter, ‘FYI’ (For Your Information).

Image with text promoting Southern Area Locality Planning Groups FYI (For Your Information)

Image with text promoting Southern Area Locality Planning Groups FYI (For Your Information)

Download Issue 148

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

On Page 3 you will see a call to submit any summer activities you are planning and want to promote for children, young people and families. This makes it easier for parents, carers and practitioners to access this important information. Please also include any local activities you are aware of, as well as free/very low costs resources.

We have included our School Uniform Recycling Toolkit on Page 4. This is a free practical resource for use by any group who want to set up and run a recycling scheme in their area. To find out more about this and learn how we can help support you, please contact us at the usual address. 

It is Mental Health Awareness Week. You will also find, in this edition, a wide range of resources, advice & support for your mental health and wellbeing. Please share this information widely with children, young people & families who might benefit from receiving it.

Stay connected! 

Locality Development Team, Southern Area

Invite To Organisational Networking Passport At Omagh Youth Networking Event

Graphic with text - You are invited to the first ever Omagh Youth Network Event

Graphic with text – You are invited to the first ever Omagh Youth Network Event

 

You are cordially invited to play Organisational Networking Passport!

The aim of the evening as well as to drink tea and catch up with other youth minded people, is to bolster youth work practice in the Omagh and wider area through the opportunity to network and learn from each other.

Everyone is welcome as it is an opportunity for statutory, voluntary or community youth groups / organisations / individuals and uniform, music  or sports groups / organisations / individuals/ teams  to come together and either showcase the good practice that they are providing for local young people up to the age of 25 years or meet, mingle, chat and learn from those people who are supporting our young people.

The ask is to spread this invite to all your family, friends or work colleagues and either volunteer yourself or group to present practice which may have worked for your young people which we can learn from (copy). Examples of practice areas we are all struggling with are below.

If you do not want to present, still turn up and have a cup of tea/coffee with us and chat to those brave souls who are volunteering to showcase their work and whoever can mark of the most groups/ organisations they have spoken to wins.

If you are happy (brave enough) to showcase, please get in touch with me (Priscilla) at 078 80723076 and I will book you in. Thanks to EA Youth Service for hosting this event and Youth Action for their organisational input.

 

Suggested Showcase List Where We Would Love To Learn About Your Good Practice:

  • How we welcome / support young people from excluded communities
  • How we overcome the language barrier
  • How we welcome / support young people with disabilities
  • How we welcome / support young people who are neuro divergent
  • How we welcome / support  young parents
  • How we welcome / support young people in the care system
  • How we welcome / support LGBTQIA? young people
  • How we are working to make life better and fairer for Women and Girls
  • Tips & suggestions for engaging with 11-14 year olds
  • Tips & suggestions for engaging with 16-25 year olds
  • Making career advice / employment pathways fun
  • Making coming to work as a youth leader / volunteer a happy experience

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.

YGam Free Training

Graphic with 1 person and text - FREE online specialist gaming and gambling harm prevention workshops in Northern Ireland

Graphic with 1 person and text – FREE online specialist gaming and gambling harm prevention workshops in Northern Ireland

Do you work with children & young people in Northern Ireland? Learn about the blurred lines between gaming and gambling harms and how you can help safeguard the young people you work with.

Education/ professionals working with CYP

 

Graphic with 2 people and text - FREE gaming and gambling harm prevention workshop for Healthcare professionals in Northern Ireland

Graphic with 2 people and text – FREE gaming and gambling harm prevention workshop for Healthcare professionals in Northern Ireland

Healthcare professionals