The King’s Trust Newsletter – September 2026

Posted on August 21, 2026 by Sharon

August and September can bring a lot of change for young people.

Some might be receiving exam results, leaving school or college, looking for work, thinking about a new direction, or just not sure what they want to do next.

The King’s Trust is here to help young people find their next steps – allowing them to explore their options, build confidence, and find practical support to move towards a future that feels right for them. All our courses are free, and we reimburse travel costs for all our courses. We can also support with childcare costs.

View September 2026 Newsletter

PHA Funded Motivational Interviewing Workshops / Mentoring Programme

Posted on August 19, 2026 by Valerie

We have now confirmed the schedule for our PHA funded Introduction to Motivational Interviewing workshops and our Advanced Motivational Interviewing with Mentoring Programme running between September and December 2026.

Please click on the link below to see the dates available if you are interested in attending either training course:

https://www.glennhinds.com/events/

The programme is open to practitioners across Northern Ireland who work with people affected by substance use, mental health and suicide prevention, or smoking cessation.

The Introduction to Motivational Interviewing is a three day programme that provides participants with a practical foundation in using Motivational Interviewing to strengthen engagement, explore ambivalence and support positive behaviour change.

For those who have already completed an Introduction to Motivational Interviewing programme, applications are also open for our Advanced Motivational Interviewing with Mentoring Programme. This includes two online classroom days followed by four individual mentoring sessions, providing participants with personalised feedback and support to further develop their MI practice.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at Training@glennhinds.com

Extern World Suicide Prevention Day

Posted on August 19, 2026 by Rosemary

Join Extern on 6th September for World Suicide Prevention Day: Building Hope, Breaking Stigma.

Together, we’ll remember those we’ve lost, raise awareness, and highlight the importance of hope, connection, and support.

Date: 6th September 11am-2pm

Location: The MAC

£5 donation (includes a free lunch)

The afternoon will include;

Inspiring lived experience talks,
Personal stories,
An original play,
Live music, and time to come together in a safe, supportive space.

Whether you’ve been personally affected, work in mental health, or simply want to show your support, you’re warmly invited.

Register now and join us as we build hope and break stigma. Together, we remember. Together, we support. Together, we bring hope.

Book here:

Children & Young People’s Resource Pack – Back to School Edition

Posted on August 19, 2026 by Sharon

Back to School Starts Here!

A colourful cover page for the CYPSP Children & Young People’s Resource Pack. The CYPSP logo appears at the top of a notebook-style page with the title “Children & Young People’s Resource Pack.” Below, the subtitle reads “Back to School, Edition” and “August 2026.” The page is set against a blue patterned background and decorated with school-themed illustrations, including a purple backpack, stacked books, a blue alarm clock, a lightbulb doodle, and spiral notebook-style graphics.

The countdown to a new school year is on!

Whether you are getting ready for your very first day, moving up to a new school, packing lunches, preparing for exam results, or supporting a young person through a big transition, we have gathered together a range of resources to help make the journey a little easier.

Packed with activities, wellbeing tips, practical advice and useful signposting, there is something for children, young people and families of all ages.

Here’s to a year filled with confidence, curiosity, learning and lots of reasons to smile!

Download your free copy at: https://cypsp.hscni.net/download/426/cyp-resource-pack/48924/cyp-resource-pack-august-2026-back-to-school.pdf

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

Resources and activities are free and in the public domain.

CYPSP Announces New Appointment

Posted on August 18, 2026 by Louise

Charity Director in new role to champion the ‘power of partnership’

Head-and-shoulders portrait of a person with short light-coloured hair and round glasses, wearing a blue blazer over a white top and a silver necklace. The photo is taken indoors against a stone wall, with a colourful abstract painting visible in the background.

A local charity leader has been appointed to help lead a multi-agency partnership which works to improve outcomes for children and young people.

Lorna Ballard, National Director at Action for Children in Northern Ireland, is the new deputy chairperson at the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP). A Larne native, Ms Ballard has a strong social work background and has headed up Action for Children NI since 2020.

CYPSP brings together leaders from statutory bodies, and community/voluntary sectors to improve the lives of children and families. It coordinates joint planning and resources to deliver early intervention and family support.

The Regional Group provides strategic leadership for the implementation of Northern Ireland’s Children’s Services Plan, bringing partners together to coordinate planning and action across agencies. Outcomes Groups align with NI’s five Health and Social Care Trust areas and coordinate local planning based on regional needs. Locality Planning Groups, 25 across Northern Ireland, bring community organisations and statutory bodies together to address the needs of children at a local, grassroots level.

CYPSP also oversees 29 local hubs that act as a single point of access for families who need early support and the partnership also regularly publishes guides to help caregivers and young people navigate local services.

Alongside the current Chairperson – Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency – Ms Ballard is committed to being a strong voice for children, young people and their families and finding better ways to collaborate for their benefit.

She said: “It’s an honour to be appointed to this role and I’m excited to bring my professional perspective and experience to the table.

“CYPSP is a powerhouse with representation across sectors, covering all Northern Ireland and united with a common goal – to make life better for infants, children, young people and families here.”

Ms Ballard added: “In my first meeting as Deputy Chair last month, I was struck by how much passion and willingness there was in the room to collaborate and find new ways to solve old challenges. The power of partnership is at the heart of CYPSP and is the golden thread that I’ll be following during my time in this position.”

ENDS

For more information on the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership, visit https://cypsp.hscni.net