Category Archives: News

Belfast Locality Planning Newsletter – 13 August 2026

Posted on by
Information update from Locality Planning Belfast dated 13/08/26 titled "Together for Families Update." The notice provides two updates:Enhanced Family Support Service: Information webinars about the Enhanced Family Support Service have now been completed. Recordings, presentation slides and FAQs are available online via the Health NI Together for Families webpage. Family Support Services List: A new Family Support Services List is being developed to provide information on services available across a range of family needs. Organisations wishing to receive updates about the Open List can register through the Together for Families distribution list by emailing togetherforfamilies@health-ni.gov.uk. The graphic includes CYPSP, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Together for Families, Department of Health and National Lottery Community Fund logos. A footer invites organisations to share information with Belfast Locality Planning Group members via LocalityPlanning@belfasttrust.hscni.net.

Information update from Locality Planning Belfast dated 13/08/26 titled “Together for Families Update.” The notice provides two updates: Enhanced Family Support Service: Information webinars about the Enhanced Family Support Service have now been completed. Recordings, presentation slides and FAQs are available online via the Health NI Together for Families webpage. Family Support Services List: A new Family Support Services List is being developed to provide information on services available across a range of family needs. Organisations wishing to receive updates about the Open List can register through the Together for Families distribution list by emailing togetherforfamilies@health-ni.gov.uk. The graphic includes CYPSP, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Together for Families, Department of Health and National Lottery Community Fund logos. A footer invites organisations to share information with Belfast Locality Planning Group members via 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

Issue 170 – Southern Area FYI – 13 August 2026

Posted on by

Welcome to Issue 170 of our newsletter, ‘FYI’ (For Your Information).

Cover page for CYPSP Southern Area Locality Planning Groups FYI newsletter, Issue 170, dated 13 August 2026. The CYPSP (Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership) logo appears at the top beside the title. An illustration shows hands holding and touching a tablet displaying the circular “FYI For Your Information” logo. On the right, a grid of coloured blue, green and purple squares contains icons representing email, telephone, website and user information.

Cover page for CYPSP Southern Area Locality Planning Groups FYI newsletter, Issue 170, dated 13 August 2026. The CYPSP (Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership) logo appears at the top beside the title. An illustration shows hands holding and touching a tablet displaying the circular “FYI For Your Information” logo. On the right, a grid of coloured blue, green and purple squares contains icons representing email, telephone, website and user information.

Download Issue 170

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

 

With summer coming towards a close, preparations for the next school year are under way and so there is lots of information on starting / back to school spread across this edition. As of today, it is also officially exam results season, so you will find details on various supports, resources & opportunities available to young people (and their families), as they look ahead to their next chapter.

We have a few weeks of summer left and there is still plenty going on across the Southern Trust Area for children, young people & families, so thank you to all those who submitted information on upcoming events, programmes and workshops for sharing.

 

See you in the next school year!

Locality Development Team, Southern Area

CYPSP Announces New Appointment

Posted on by

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.

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

School Isolation Webinar

Posted on by
Promotional poster for a webinar on school isolation in Northern Ireland. The poster headline reads “Bridge the Gap: School Isolation.” It states that school isolation is a growing issue in Northern Ireland and that the webinar will explore behaviour through the foundations of child and adolescent development, emotional literacy and mental health. The event takes place online on Tuesday, 8 September, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Learning outcomes include understanding school isolation, engagement strategies, emotional first aid, and an interactive session. The poster features images of school-aged children in educational settings, partner organisation logos, and a QR code for registration.

Promotional poster for a webinar on school isolation in Northern Ireland. The poster headline reads “Bridge the Gap: School Isolation.” It states that school isolation is a growing issue in Northern Ireland and that the webinar will explore behaviour through the foundations of child and adolescent development, emotional literacy and mental health. The event takes place online on Tuesday, 8 September, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Learning outcomes include understanding school isolation, engagement strategies, emotional first aid, and an interactive session. The poster features images of school-aged children in educational settings, partner organisation logos, and a QR code for registration.

The OUR Generation Team at Co-operation Ireland are delighted to announce a free webinar taking place on Tuesday 8th of September, 2:00-4:00pm!

 

In partnership with Bridge the Gap, this webinar is for anyone working in a youth facing capacity with an emphasis on how to re-engage students isolated from education.

 

Participants will be introduced to the emotional first aid approach and will learn principles of emotional literacy and emotion coaching. Furthermore, the ACT principles (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) will be explored, proving useful for participants to respond to distress with flexibility and compassion.

 

If you or anyone else in your organisations are interested in joining, please follow the link below or use the QR code in the attached flyer.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/school-isolation-webinar-tickets-1996168238938 

Free Accredited Youth Leadership Programme – 16-25 Year Olds

Posted on by
Action Mental Health promotional banner featuring a blurred classroom or group discussion setting. Two young people and an older person are seated facing one another, suggesting a conversation or peer support activity. The Action Mental Health logo appears in the top left corner, alongside the "Our Generation: Growing Up Better, Together" logo. A turquoise banner across the bottom contains the text: "Mental Health Ambassador." The design uses purple and teal branding colours and promotes a youth mental health ambassador programme.

Action Mental Health promotional banner featuring a blurred classroom or group discussion setting. Two young people and an older person are seated facing one another, suggesting a conversation or peer support activity. The Action Mental Health logo appears in the top left corner, alongside the “Our Generation: Growing Up Better, Together” logo. A turquoise banner across the bottom contains the text: “Mental Health Ambassador.” The design uses purple and teal branding colours and promotes a youth mental health ambassador programme.

FREE Mental Health Ambassador Training from Action Mental Health / OUR Generation, designed for young people aged 16–25. 

This engaging and interactive programme supports participants to develop the knowledge, confidence and leadership skills needed to become positive role models and champions for mental health and emotional wellbeing. It provides an excellent accredited progression opportunity for young people while enhancing their confidence, employability and CV.

The programme consists of five sessions:

  • Sessions 1–4: Four interactive 1.5-hour workshops
  • Session 5: A 3.5-hour SafeTALK suicide alertness training workshop

Throughout the programme, participants will:

  • Develop a greater understanding of mental health and emotional wellbeing.
  • Build confidence, communication, leadership and active listening skills.
  • Increase their knowledge of peer support, safeguarding and appropriate referral pathways.
  • Learn how to promote positive mental health and reduce stigma within their setting.
  • Plan and deliver a positive mental health initiative or awareness activity.
  • Gain a nationally recognised SafeTALK accreditation.
  • Receive a Mental Health Ambassador certificate and badge upon successful completion.

The programme is highly interactive and engaging, using group discussions, practical activities, peer learning, creative planning and collaborative projects to ensure young people are actively involved throughout.

Following completion, Mental Health Ambassadors can take on a peer leadership role within your own setting. This may include acting as peer supporters, peer mentors, student leaders, youth ambassadors, wellbeing champions or mental health advocates, depending on the needs and structure of your organisation. They will be equipped to promote positive mental health, encourage help-seeking, challenge stigma and signpost peers to trusted adults and appropriate support when needed.

This programme is particularly suited to:

  • Schools and post-primary settings
  • Further and higher education providers
  • Youth organisations and youth clubs
  • Community and voluntary organisations
  • Youth forums and youth councils
  • Young volunteers
  • Existing peer mentor or ambassador programmes
  • Young people interested in developing leadership skills and gaining accredited training

Download Information Flyer: https://cypsp.hscni.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Mental-Health-Ambassador-Flyer-Aug-26.pdf