Connect North Library Drop in Sessions: November & December 2025 (Northern HSC Trust Area)

Promotional banner for Connect North, a community wellbeing initiative. The banner features the Connect North logo—a stylized tree with colorful leaves—and the Libraries NI logo. It includes the tagline ‘Your Pathway to Wellbeing’ and invites people to attend drop-in sessions. The message highlights that Connect North helps individuals access practical, social, and emotional support services within their community

Whether you need advice, resources, or community connections, Connect North is here to help you access the services you need.

In partnership with Libraries NI, Drop-In sessions are hosted in libraries across the Northern Trust.

No appointment needed—just drop in!

 Upcoming Drop-ins: –

At each Drop-In session, you can:

  • Chat with a Connect North Link Worker
  • Learn about local groups, services & events
  • Access support and information in a friendly, informal setting

 Full list of locations & times: https://www.northerntrust.hscni.net/…/connect-north…/

 

To learn more about Connect North or how to refer someone:

Contact: connectnorth@northerntrust.hscni.net

www.connectnorth.co.uk

X @connectnorthSP

 

FREE online specialist gaming and gambling harm workshops

Ygam are offering free training on gaming and gambling harm prevention for CYP in Northern Ireland. Our training can either be delivered online or to teams face-to-face and we have many programmes to suit your industry.

Our main programmes include:

  • Parent programme: Online 90-minute course introducing gaming & gambling harm prevention, with tips & tools to help parents/carers navigate and start conversations.
  • Teachers: CPD accredited training which is A 2 ½ hour online or in person workshop giving educators a clearer understanding of gaming and gambling harms, why young people take part and the impacts to them. Along with how to spot the signs and where to go for help.
  • Youth Workers: A CPD accredited 2 ½ hour online or in person workshop giving youth workers a clearer understanding of gaming and gambling harms, why young people take part and the impacts to them. Along with how to spot the signs and where to go for help.

We also have programmes in Health & Social Care, Early Help, Supporting Children in Care, diverse communities and gaming & eSports.

For more information about our work, visit www.ygam.org or email training@ygam.org

 

Promotional flyer for Ygam's free online specialist gaming and gambling harm workshops. Features a person wearing headphones using a laptop, emphasizing the online format. The flyer targets professionals working with children or young people, offering CPD certification, digital credentials, and access to over 1000 resources. Topics include gaming vs. gambling similarities, loot boxes, signs of harm, advertising, mental health, and support options. Booking via training@ygam.org or www.ygam.org. Logos for Ygam and City & Guilds Assured are included

Promotional flyer for Ygam’s free online specialist gaming and gambling harm workshops. Features a person wearing headphones using a laptop, emphasizing the online format. The flyer targets professionals working with children or young people, offering CPD certification, digital credentials, and access to over 1000 resources. Topics include gaming vs. gambling similarities, loot boxes, signs of harm, advertising, mental health, and support options. Booking via training@ygam.org or www.ygam.org. Logos for Ygam and City & Guilds Assured are included

Mental Health Strategy – Early Intervention and Prevention – Service Directory

In support of actions 1 and 2 of the Mental Health Strategy and Mental Health early intervention and prevention, the Public Health Agency are encouraging all stakeholders to contribute to the new Minding Your Head webpage service directory.

You are invited to add mental health and emotional wellbeing services (outlined in the ‘service type’ section of the guide) your organisation provides in your local community.

Please also engage with all organisations that you commission to encourage them to add their services, and share this opportunity for inclusion in the service directory with your partnerships and networks.

Please make separate submissions for each service. The purpose of submitting individual services offered by your organisation is to benefit the individual searching the directory to understand the specific support options available to them.

Adding your service

Please follow the instructions below and the attached guide to add each service to the directory.

The attached guide outlines the following:

  1. Eligibility criteria
  2. Exclusion criteria
  3. Service type
  4. Public Health Agency quality standards  
  5. Information accuracy and completeness
  6. Information required
  7. Content guidelines
  8. Verification and updates
  9. Consent

Setting up your Minding Your Head account

  • Your username is the email address used to receive this correspondence.
  • Using this email address please follow this link [Reset your password | Minding Your Head] to generate a temporary password. You will then be able to set a new password and update your organisation’s contact details and add information for all your organisations services.
  • Remember to make separate submissions for each service.

Adding service submission details

  • Refer to the attached guide for details.
  • If you wish to add email information to your submission form please do not use personalised email addresses such as ‘joe.bloggs@’, instead use generic email addresses such as ‘info@’.

If you would like to remove your service from the Minding Your Head website and contact list, please respond ‘opt out’ to this email.  

Email any queries to myh@hscni.net  

Family Support Services Survey

Focusing on families is your chance to share your views and ideas on improving family support services in Northern Ireland. 

This survey will inform the family support strategy in Northern Ireland, and we want to hear the views of children, young people and parents/carers as well as practitioners. This short, anonymous survey covers five key areas:

  • Purpose of family support services
  • Core values
  • Most valued types of support
  • Future service models
  • Making a difference to families

Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FocusingonFamilies25

Poster with hands holding cut out picture of 4 people, text and QR code

Poster with hands holding cut out picture of 4 people, text and QR code

Children and Family Charter – Tell us what you think

We want to create a Children and Family Charter for Northern Ireland to help children, young people and families understand their rights, know what to expect from services and support staff to work in the best way for them. 

The model for the Children and Family Charter is based on four key parts:

  • Standards
  • Support
  • Share
  • Speak up

By taking part in the survey, young people can help shape how the Charter is made and shared.

Questions? Email: info@statsandstories.co.uk 

This consultation is open to anyone who may have a view — including children, young people, parents, carers, staff, professionals, and policymakers.
We particularly encourage you to share this with children, young people, and parents/carers.
Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ChildrenandFamilyCharterMay25

 

Image with red colour background, children drawing on a chalk board and text with QR code to scan.

Image with red colour background, children drawing on a chalk board and text with QR code to scan.