FSH Newsletter – April 2025

The April edition of the Family Support Hub Newsletter is now available https://cypsp.hscni.net/download/391/family-support-hubs/45810/fsh-newsletter-april2025.pdf

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

Hello and welcome to another edition of the Family Support Hub newsletter. What gorgeous weather we’ve been having. Fingers crossed it stays for the Easter break!!

I’ve got to be out and about at a range of events and there’s a lot going on, not least the recent Hub Coordinators Day in Dungannon, CiNI launch of the School Anxiety and Distress best practice guide and Bolster Communities celebration and awards event in the Canal Court, more information on these events is included in the body of the newsletter. It’s been so uplifting to witness the showcasing of organisations, families and individuals who are working so hard towards improving outcomes for the wider community.

If you have an event, celebration or launch you’re planning in the coming weeks please get in touch and we’ll be happy to include your good news in future newsletters.

Whilst out and about and chatting about the CYPSP resources and information streams I’ve spoken to a range of people who were surprised to hear about the range of information streams and free to use resources on the CYPSP website. I would ask that you take a few minutes to think about other colleagues, friends or organisations that might benefit from this information. If you do, please take a minute to forward it on to them. If anyone wants to be added to the mailing list for the Newsletter please email cypsp@hscni.net and we’ll get you added. Also, please take the time to explore the CYPSP website and the fabulous resources on offer such as the Youth Wellness Web.

It is also packed full of information for parents/carers, early years, children & young people with a disability,  mental health and wellbeing advice,  Helplines and much more – make sure you download your copy now!

Previous editions of the newsletter are available at  http://www.cypsp.hscni.net/family-support-hubs  under Family Support Newsletter section.

Family Support Hub Collective – 8 April 2025

On Tuesday 8th April an event took place bringing Hub Coordinators from across the region to chat and learn from each other and we were joined by number of speakers who really enriched the discussions and brought extra value to the day. We were delighted to welcome Jacinta Linden, CE of Bolster Community in Newry and Deirdre Mahon, former director of Children’s Services in Western Trust who are the co-chairs of the Family Support Workstream of the Children’s Services Reform Board and Catherine Cooke, the reform Coordinator working on that workstream. The workstream (Workstream 9) was established as part of the Children’s Services Reform Process to reform Children’s Services.

 

 

We kicked off the day with the theme of “different but the same” and completed an exercise to further examine the differences in how Hubs work in their areas. This was a great conversation starter and allowed us to consider possible draw backs and benefits of these different approaches. It also provided Jacinta, Deirdre and Catherine with an overview of the wider Hub Network. Jacinta and Deirdre then provided an update on the work they’re leading on and what that might mean going forward. We appreciate them taking the time out of very busy schedules to come and listen to and get an understanding of the Family Support Hub Network and how that fits in our current early family support system. As one of the Coordinators so eloquently summarised, we are working in different ways with the same principles and towards the same goals.

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following the exercise, we had a presentation from Nora and Sarah from Co-operation Ireland’s Our Generation Project. They spoke about their role, an overview of the project, current partners and the potential opportunities for families and organisation in the Hub Networks to avail of their support.

 

 

 

 

We then had a presentation from Margaret, the Partnership Manager from Money and Pension Service. Given the rise in the number of families who report financial difficulties coming to hubs this was a very timely presentation. Financial pressures are not just faced by our families and the information was useful to all of us in the room too. She explored the link between financial difficulties and poor outcomes for families as well as the importance of those working with families to have the confidence and knowledge to best support these families. Improving the skills and confidence of the Hubs in providing the best information to families will be something we will be exploring going forward.

 

 

 After a well-earned break for lunch we finished up the day with the fabulous Ed Sipler. We have shared many of Ed’s resources in previous editions of the FSH Newsletter and so I was delighted he was able to join us in person to help round up the day. Ed’s passion for his work around self-care and self-compassion was so evident in his presentation.  We got a really accessible overview what self-care and compassion are, the science and impact it has on our bodies but Ed also kindly took us through some simple techniques to help ourselves. I will certainly be making the effort to introduce some of these techniques in to my daily routine. As always, Ed walked us through some of the resources available to support ourselves and to share with colleagues and families as well as what training he will be offering in the coming months.

 

 

It was a busy and educative day. I would like to once again thank all of the Hub Coordinator staff, old and new who came to join us, the speakers Nora, Sarah, Margaret and Ed, the Workstream 9 leadership of Jacinta, Deirdre and Catherine, the staff at The Junction and a final huge thank you to Louise and Yvonne from the Children’s Planning Team who made the day possible.

 

A day spent with our Hub teams is always a day well spent!

Bronwyn

 

 

 

 

 

Ards & North Down and Down Fortnightly News – Edition 85, March 2025

Welcome back to this Spring edition newsletter for Children and Young People’s Services and Families across the Down and Ards & North Down Locality Planning Groups.

Image with text promoting Ards & North Down and Down CYPSP Locality Planning Group Newsletter March 2025

Image with text promoting Ards & North Down and Down CYPSP Locality Planning Group Newsletter March 2025

Download Issue 85

(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 wish to advertise any upcoming programmes or activities or good news stories, please see the guidance on the back page.

Don’t forget to share with your contacts.

Noelle.Hollywood@setrust.hscni.net
Mobile number 07872422101

South Eastern Trust Neurodivergent Café

TRUST’S NEURODIVERGENT CAFÉ PROVIDES WARM WELCOME AND SIGNPOSTS TO VITAL SERVICES

“A resounding success” is how the recent ‘Neurocafé’ held at Downpatrick’s South Eastern Regional College (SERC) has been described by the Downe Hospital’s Senior Social Work Practitioner Niall Rotherham.

Hosted by the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP) Down Locality Planning Group, Niall explained how the idea of the Neurocafé is to create a “welcoming space” that supports those living with neurodiverse conditions, a chance for parents and carers to connect, “shares their experiences” and access support from community and statutory organisations.

“This is an event for parents and carers of children with Autism, ADHD and those awaiting assessments as well,” said Niall. “The Café has been a great partnership approach as we have had different organisations from the community, voluntary and statutory sector coming together to show what our parents and carers can access for their children and young people.”

Service user Ryan Robinson described how much he benefits from attending the ‘Neurodivergent (ND)1’ peer network support group. “This is a group for neurodivergent people ran by the Trust. I’ve met friends, I’ve met a lot of new people and groups such as the NOW as well as groups who offer mental health support and employment support.”

Service User Quinn Reilly added, “This is a great social opportunity and with ND1 we go on trips and do arts and crafts. It’s a great thing to be a part of.

Quinn described how important it is to spread awareness for parents with children, “who are neurodivergent” for them to know and see that they are not alone.

Niall shared how important it is to promote neurodivegence, “Its strengths, the positives around it and also helping parents and carers to link in with key services and supports.”

“Sometimes it is hard to know what services, what support is out there but with the Café we are all under one roof. There is a greater understanding around neurodivegence. It is important that we have these events and link people into vital services.”

– ENDS –

For further information please contact:

mediateam@setrust.hscni.net

Pictured:

L-R Downe Hospital’s Senior Social Work Practitioner Niall Rotherham, MDT Social Work Manager Rachel Duncan, Anne Tumelty, Health Visitor Downpatrick, Newry Mourne and Down District Council’s Katrina Hynds, South Eastern Trust’s Health Development Practitioner Noelle Hollywood, Anne-Marie Dooey, MDT Social Work Lead North Down and Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP) Down Locality Planning Group Louise Dickson

Improving Your Gut Health

Online workshop with hints & tips to improve your gut health, which also helps improve immunity, skin, digestion, sleep & mental health – Monday 17th February at 11am or thursday 27th February at 7pm.