Consultation on the Public Health Agency Partnership and Engagement Strategy

A promotional flyer for the Public Health Agency’s consultation on the new draft Partnership and Engagement Strategy for 2025–2030. The flyer has a colorful design with a logo featuring multicolored abstract shapes at the top left. The headline reads: “Partnership and Engagement – Involving you, improving care.” Below, it states: “Consultation on the Public Health Agency Partnership and Engagement Strategy – We want to hear from you!” The text explains that the Public Health Agency (PHA) is launching its draft strategy and hosting online and in-person information and discussion events to explain the purpose and gather feedback from the public, service users, and carers. Event details are listed in a pink box: Wednesday 5th November, 2pm – 4pm – Online Thursday 6th November, 11am – 1pm – Lecture Theatre, Ballymoney Health Centre, 21B Newal Rd, Ballymoney, BT53 6HB Wednesday 12th November, 11am – 1pm – Arches Wellbeing Centre, 1 Westminster Ave N, Belfast BT4 1NS Tuesday 18th November, 7pm – 9pm – Online To the right of the event list is a QR code for registration. At the bottom, there is a registration link and the Public Health Agency logo with the HSC brand.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has developed a Partnership and Engagement Strategy for the period 2025-2030. The draft Strategy aims to put the voice of service users and carers at the heart of the work we do.  It advocates for a partnership based approach to improving health and well-being and to addressing health inequalities.  It endorses and encourages us to embrace the value, knowledge, insights, expertise and experience of service users, carers, families, the Community & Voluntary sector, HSC staff / organisations and other partners.  The document also sets out the strategic direction for the Experience and Involvement programmes for the next five years. It has emerged from an extensive period of engagement and discussion with a wide range of stakeholders.  It is informed and shaped by a series of strategic policy drivers, including those connected with partnership working, involvement, experience, quality, safety, equality, inclusion health and heath inequalities. It builds on and helps to realise the PHA’s stated commitment to meaningful involvement and partnership working as set out in the PHA Corporate Plan 2025–2030

 

The Agency now wishes to formally consult on the draft Partnership and Engagement Strategy.  The consultation period will run for 12 weeks to 19 December 2025.  

The Consultation documents can be accessed by clicking here.

 

There are also a number of in person and online workshops to consider the strategy and to encourage discussion and facilitate feedback. 

  • Wed 5 Nov, 2pm-4pm – online
  • Thur 6 Nov, 11am-1pm – Lecture Theatre, Ballymoney Health Centre, 21B Newal Road, Ballymoney, BT53 6HB
  • Wed 12 Nov, 11am-1pm – Arches Wellbeing Centre, 1 Westminster Avenue, Belfast, BT4 1NS
  • Tue 18 Nov, 7pm-9pm – online

Registration link – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=8DtzjS5ESUS3R6dl6jWf-HVlDtHQOpVPvKn9RzZFLx1UMVhQR040N0tPVzM1NkNCTzdGOUhFVkhOTC4u 

 

Download Flyer

 

Feedback on the Strategy is crucially important in helping us to ensure, that we have heard what people believe we need to do to embed experience, involvement and partnership working into the culture and practice of the PHA and indeed the wider HSC.  Please review the draft Strategy and complete our online survey at your earliest convenience.

 

An introductory video to the consultation can also be viewed here.

 

Sugar Awareness Week (17-23 November 2025)

 

Latest figures from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey show that 9 in 10 children and 4 in 5 adults are exceeding their recommended daily sugar limits, increasing the risk of lifelong health issues, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and tooth decay.

 

Making small swaps can make a big difference.

 

Find out more in the brand-new short videos on the Public Health Dietitians YouTube channel:

Sugar: https://youtu.be/ADVwrUl8LoQ?si=-053Uqdv3Nmb7_YE

Understanding Food Labels: https://youtu.be/lXqlr5Khzu8?si=It7Q9EedZkai0RkU

 

Western Area FYI – Issue 24 – November 2025

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

Cover page of the ‘FYI’ (For Your Information) newsletter from the Western Health and Social Care Trust and CYPSP, dated November 2025, Issue 24. The newsletter includes sections on Family Support, Youth Support, Cost of Living, Neurodiversity, Infant Mental Health and Breastfeeding, Digital Safeguarding, Addiction, Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health, Training and Conferences, Western Sure Start Projects, Childcare Partnership, Family Support Hubs, Useful Links and Informative Media, and a CRIS Leaflet

Download Issue 24

(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

Paul Sweeney – Mobile  07387259117     paul.sweeney@westerntrust.hscni.net

Children & Young People’s Resource Pack – Halloween Edition

Spooky Season is Here!

Poster promoting the Children & Young People’s Resource Pack for Halloween. Features spider webs, a hanging spider, and two smiling pumpkins. Text reads: “CYPSP Children & Young People’s Resource Pack – Halloween Edition, October 2025.”

We are excited to share the Halloween edition of the Children and Young People’s Resource Pack – packed with fun, creative, and seasonal activities to support children, young people, and families across Northern Ireland.

Whether you are a parent, carer, youth worker, teacher, or young person looking for something exciting to do this half-term, this pack is bursting with:

– Creative crafts to spark imagination
– Halloween-themed games and puzzles to keep little minds active
– Wellbeing tips to support emotional health
– Fun ways to celebrate safely with friends and family

Download your free copy here:
https://cypsp.hscni.net/download/426/cyp-resource-pack/46988/children-young-peoples-resource-pack-oct-25-halloween.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.

Please share widely with colleagues, families, and community groups! ️

#CYPSP #HalloweenFun #SupportingFamilies #ChildrenAndYoungPeople #ResourcePack 

SBNI Trauma Informed Practice Online Training Brochure

Training brochure cover from SBNI showing a group walking a winding path through a bright, scenic landscape, representing recovery and resilience

This brochure outlines training modules on understanding the impact of adversity and trauma informed practice currently available to support practitioners across Northern Ireland. All courses contained in this brochure are free for practitioners, funded by the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland.

The SBNI acknowledges that recognising and responding to the imprints of childhood adversity and trauma, will remain an integral part of achieving better outcomes through the implementation of trauma-informed approach across organisations in Northern Ireland. Growth, healing and recovery can only happen in the context of trauma responsive environments, policies, systems and organisations.

When we consider adversity and trauma in the workplace and in our organisations, this can help in understanding our own responses and needs and also in our thinking about the responses and needs of the people we work with.

The SBNI continues to work to help its member agencies and other related bodies to:

► have an awareness of adverse childhood experiences;

► be aware of the impact of adversity and trauma on development across the lifespan;

► be able to identify what supports resilience to cope with adversity; and

► embed a trauma informed approach in their work.

The SBNI is committed to providing support to enable member agencies & partners to develop trauma informed practice to improve the health, wellbeing and safety of the children in Northern Ireland and the adults they develop into.

Download Brochure