Category Archives: News

Newry & Mourne and South Armagh Schools Networking Event 2026

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Three photos showing people visiting information stalls at a community event, with tables displaying brochures, banners, and materials from various local organisations

Feedback from discussions held at Department of Education RAISE Locality Reference Group meetings for Newry, Cloughreagh and Bessbrook had indicated that local schools were unaware of the range of existing support services they can link into in the community.

The Newry & Mourne and South Armagh Schools Networking Event aimed to raise awareness of local support services in both the Newry & Mourne and South Armagh Areas with school staff, including services for children, young people and families/parents/carers.

Taking place at Newry High School on Wednesday 4th February 2026, the event brought together a wide range of local organisations from statutory, community and voluntary sectors, offering a unique opportunity for both primary and post-primary schools to engage directly with local service providers, while enabling local organisations to strengthen connections and explore opportunities for future collaboration.

Download the Event Scorecard HERE.

View a List of all the Stall Holders from the day, along with a short description of their service, HERE.

 

(The Newry & Mourne and South Armagh LPGs are a partnership of statutory, voluntary, and community organisations working to improve outcomes for children and young people in the Newry & Mourne and South Armagh Areas. The groups are supported by the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP) and each meet five times a year, to share information, build connections, identify local needs, and work together to address them.)

Belfast Locality Planning Newsletter – 5th March 2026

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Locality Planning Belfast information update dated 05 March 2026. The top banner includes the CYPSP logo and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust logo. Below, a Belfast City Council badge appears beside a graphic titled ‘Summer Community Diversionary Programme 2026–2028’ with a link to Belfast Summer Community Diversionary Programme | Grants and funding. To the right, text explains that applications are open for the programme, which funds eligible community groups in Belfast to deliver diversionary activities that promote positive cultural expression and reduce anti-social behaviour around 11 July and 8 August. It outlines eligibility, assessment criteria, and states that organisations may only apply in priority locations. At the bottom, a blue footer invites people to share information with the Locality Planning Group via the email LocalityPlanning@belfasttrust.hscni.net

Locality Planning Belfast information update dated 05 March 2026. The top banner includes the CYPSP logo and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust logo. Below, a Belfast City Council badge appears beside a graphic titled ‘Summer Community Diversionary Programme 2026–2028’ with a link to Belfast Summer Community Diversionary Programme | Grants and funding. To the right, text explains that applications are open for the programme, which funds eligible community groups in Belfast to deliver diversionary activities that promote positive cultural expression and reduce anti-social behaviour around 11 July and 8 August. It outlines eligibility, assessment criteria, and states that organisations may only apply in priority locations. At the bottom, a blue footer invites people to share information with the Locality Planning Group via the email LocalityPlanning@belfasttrust.hscni.net

Download Issue

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

If you have any information you would like to share across our Locality Planning Group members in Belfast, please email: LocalityPlanning@belfasttrust.hscni.net

Western Area FYI: Issue 28 – March 2026

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Your FYI is a monthly round up of all things family support and early intervention / prevention across the Western trust and beyond.

A cover page titled “FYI – For Your Information” with logos for the Western Health and Social Care Trust and CYPSP at the top. The issue is labeled “Contents – March 2026 : Issue 28.” Below is a blue contents table with the following headings: Welcome to FYI; Section 1: Family Support; Section 2: Youth Support; Section 3: Cost of Living; Section 4: Neurodiversity; Section 5: Infant Mental Health / Breastfeeding; Section 6: Digital Safeguarding; Section 7: Addiction; Section 8: Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health.

A cover page titled “FYI – For Your Information” with logos for the Western Health and Social Care Trust and CYPSP at the top. The issue is labeled “Contents – March 2026 : Issue 28.” Below is a blue contents table with the following headings: Welcome to FYI; Section 1: Family Support; Section 2: Youth Support; Section 3: Cost of Living; Section 4: Neurodiversity; Section 5: Infant Mental Health / Breastfeeding; Section 6: Digital Safeguarding; Section 7: Addiction; Section 8: Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health.

Download Issue 28

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

If you would like to contribute upcoming consultations, training, articles, or events that practitioners from the community, voluntary or statutory sectors within the Western Trust will find useful please contact:

Dr Priscilla Magee – Mobile  07880723076     priscilla.magee@westerntrust.hscni.net

Ethnic Minorities Mental Health Toolkit – a guide for practitioners

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A graphic titled “The Practitioner’s Toolkit: Mental Health and Ethnic Minority Groups.” The left side shows an illustrated person with short white hair, glasses, and a blue shirt holding a clipboard and pen. The top left features the Health and Social Care (HSC) logo. The top right contains the text “Support Resources” with simple line icons of a house, a scribble, and a speech bubble. Along the bottom are four blue buttons labeled: “Introduction,” “Quick Tips,” “Barriers to Accessing Services,” and “Accessing the Appropriate Support – List of Resources.” The background uses shades of blue and green.

A graphic titled “The Practitioner’s Toolkit: Mental Health and Ethnic Minority Groups.” The left side shows an illustrated person with short white hair, glasses, and a blue shirt holding a clipboard and pen. The top left features the Health and Social Care (HSC) logo. The top right contains the text “Support Resources” with simple line icons of a house, a scribble, and a speech bubble. Along the bottom are four blue buttons labeled: “Introduction,” “Quick Tips,” “Barriers to Accessing Services,” and “Accessing the Appropriate Support – List of Resources.” The background uses shades of blue and green.

 

This toolkit considers how mental health is viewed in different cultures, barriers to accessing services, cultural competences in mental health, ‘dos and don’ts’ quick reference guide. There is also information on interpreting and translation services as well as other support organisations that practitioners can refer clients to.

View The Practitioners Toolkit

Issue 162 – Southern Area FYI – 19 February 2026

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Welcome to Issue 162 of our newsletter, ‘FYI’ (For Your Information).

A cover page for the “Southern Area Locality Planning Groups” information update, Issue 162 dated 19th February 2026. On the left side, an illustrated pair of hands holds a tablet displaying the CYPSP “FYI – For Your Information” logo inside a circular badge. Above this, a blue banner with white text reads “Southern Area Locality Planning Groups,” followed by two right‑pointing chevron arrows.On the right side, the CYPSP (Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership) logo appears at the top. Below it is a grid of coloured squares in green, purple, and blue. Each square contains a communication‑related icon, including an email envelope, a telephone handset, a globe symbol, and a person with a checkmark.

A cover page for the “Southern Area Locality Planning Groups” information update, Issue 162 dated 19th February 2026. On the left side, an illustrated pair of hands holds a tablet displaying the CYPSP “FYI – For Your Information” logo inside a circular badge. Above this, a blue banner with white text reads “Southern Area Locality Planning Groups,” followed by two right‑pointing chevron arrows. On the right side, the CYPSP (Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership) logo appears at the top. Below it is a grid of coloured squares in green, purple, and blue. Each square contains a communication‑related icon, including an email envelope, a telephone handset, a globe symbol, and a person with a checkmark.

Download Issue 162

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

The health & wellbeing of children and young people is always a top priority. Last week was Children’s Mental Health Week, Tuesday 10th February was Safer Internet Day, and this week is Sexual Health Week, so, as well as the plethora of useful information which we normally include, we are also sharing information relevant to these specific areas which has been submitted by our contacts.

Thanks to all who have provided information on upcoming training opportunities, events, parenting programmes, reports, surveys, resources and funding opportunities for inclusion.

We hope that this issue is helpful to practitioners working across, and parents/carers living in, the region.

Locality Development Team, Southern Area