Youth and Future Talent Awards (YAFTAs) 2025-26

A banner featuring three logos. On the left, the YAFTAs logo with a large gold star and smaller stars, and the text “YAFTAs” in elegant script, followed by “Youth and Future Talent Awards” in smaller print. In the center, the Education Authority logo with a green and blue abstract shape and the text “ea Education Authority.” On the right, the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council logo with a green and blue design and text in both Irish and English: “Comhairle Ceantair an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin” and “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.”

A banner featuring three logos. On the left, the YAFTAs logo with a large gold star and smaller stars, and the text “YAFTAs” in elegant script, followed by “Youth and Future Talent Awards” in smaller print. In the center, the Education Authority logo with a green and blue abstract shape and the text “ea Education Authority.” On the right, the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council logo with a green and blue design and text in both Irish and English: “Comhairle Ceantair an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin” and “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.”

 

Newry, Mourne & Down Youth Voice are a district wide consultative group under the Northern Ireland structure of Youth Voice which gives young people the opportunity to engage with decision makers and have a say on local issues. The group is supported by the Education Authority.

 

The Awards

The Youth and Future Talent Awards (YAFTAs) were created in 2012 by the Newry & Mourne Youth Council to help raise the positive profiles of the work young people are involved in across our district. The aim was to highlight the “unsung heroes” who don’t normally receive recognition. This year will be the ninth awards ceremony and they will be hosted within the council area. All aspects of this programme have been designed and managed by young people for young people. An independent panel will shortlist the nominations, without knowing names of nominees or nominator, so they cannot be influenced with their decisions.

YAFTAs nomination invitation letter 

YAFTA categories and how to nominate 

Stronger Together: Information Day for Children with Additional Needs

Save the date for Stronger Together: Information Day for Children with Additional Needs.

Thursday 12 March, 9.30 – 3.30pm in Armagh City Hotel

RSVP to Mark Irwin  02837 564330 / Mark.Irwin@southerntrust.hscni.net 

 

A colorful event flyer for the Southern Health & Social Care Trust. The top section reads “Save the Date” in large blue decorative text. Below, the event title says: “Stronger Together: Information Day for Children with Additional Needs.” The flyer mentions that the event will feature stalls and presentations from statutory, community, voluntary, and independent sector agencies. Three illustrated stalls are shown in the center. Event details: Thursday, 12 March, 9:30 AM–3:30 PM at Armagh City Hotel, Friary Road, Armagh. Lunch and light refreshments provided. RSVP to Mark Irwin with contact details: T: 02837 564330, E: mark.irwin@southerntrust.hscni.net. The bottom includes logos for Southern Health and Social Care Trust and a small illustration of diverse children. Decorative elements include banners, a coffee cup, and a “Join Us!” graphic

A colorful event flyer for the Southern Health & Social Care Trust. The top section reads “Save the Date” in large blue decorative text. Below, the event title says: “Stronger Together: Information Day for Children with Additional Needs.” The flyer mentions that the event will feature stalls and presentations from statutory, community, voluntary, and independent sector agencies. Three illustrated stalls are shown in the center. Event details: Thursday, 12 March, 9:30 AM–3:30 PM at Armagh City Hotel, Friary Road, Armagh. Lunch and light refreshments provided. RSVP to Mark Irwin with contact details: T: 02837 564330, E: mark.irwin@southerntrust.hscni.net. The bottom includes logos for Southern Health and Social Care Trust and a small illustration of diverse children. Decorative elements include banners, a coffee cup, and a “Join Us!” graphic

 

Issue 160 – Southern Area FYI – 8 January 2026

Welcome to Issue 160 of our fortnightly newsletter, ‘FYI’ (For Your Information).

A digital graphic for the Southern Area Locality Planning Groups newsletter, Issue 160 dated 8th January 2026. The top left features a blue banner with white text reading “Southern Area Locality Planning Groups” and two blue arrows pointing right. The top right displays the CYPSP logo with the tagline “Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership.” Below, there are colorful square icons in purple, green, and blue, representing communication methods: an envelope with an @ symbol, a telephone handset, a globe, and a person with a checkmark. On the left side, a hand holds a tablet showing a circular logo with “FYI For Your Information” in purple and green. At the bottom left, green text reads “Issue 160” and purple text below states “8th January 2026

A digital graphic for the Southern Area Locality Planning Groups newsletter, Issue 160 dated 8th January 2026. The top left features a blue banner with white text reading “Southern Area Locality Planning Groups” and two blue arrows pointing right. The top right displays the CYPSP logo with the tagline “Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership.” Below, there are colorful square icons in purple, green, and blue, representing communication methods: an envelope with an @ symbol, a telephone handset, a globe, and a person with a checkmark. On the left side, a hand holds a tablet showing a circular logo with “FYI For Your Information” in purple and green. At the bottom left, green text reads “Issue 160” and purple text below states “8th January 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Download Issue 160

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

 

Happy New Year to all and we look forward to sharing information, resources and opportunities with you in 2026.

As always, we welcome those who wish to attend our Locality Planning Group meetings, so feel free to get in touch and we can set up a quick Zoom meeting to tell you all about them, how they operate, and how important they can be to you & your organisation/service/group.

It’s a lengthy edition to kick off the new year… Lots going on across the SHSCT Area, so keep the information coming!

Locality Development Team, Southern Area

Southern Area LPG Meetings Year In Review 2025

Logo of CYPSP (Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership) with colorful circular design and text underneath reading ‘Southern Area LPG Meetings Year in Review 2025’ in bold blue and purple font

Logo of CYPSP (Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership) with colorful circular design and text underneath reading ‘Southern Area LPG Meetings Year in Review 2025’ in bold blue and purple font

 

The Southern Area Locality Planning Team has produced a Year in Review with regards to our 6 LPG groups’ attendance and testimonials. In short:

  • In 2025, we increased attendance and participation at our 6 LPG Groups by 85 from the previous year: an increase of 19% participation overall.
  • 63% of participants at our LPG meetings came from the voluntary & community sectors, with 37% representing statutory sectors.
  • Feedback from participants show how much they value Locality Planning Groups in the Southern Area.

Download 2025 Year In Review

 

Locality Planning Groups are open to anyone working with children, young people and parents and if you would like to find out more about these in the Southern Area, please contact us at localityplanning@ci-ni.org.uk

 

Issue 159 – Southern Area FYI – 18 December 2025

Welcome to Issue 159 of our fortnightly newsletter, ‘FYI’ (For Your Information).

A illustrated cover page for the CYPSP Southern Area Locality Planning Groups’ ‘For Your Information’ Issue 159, dated 18th December 2025. On the left, a pair of hands holds a tablet displaying the FYI circular logo. To the right, the CYPSP logo appears above a grid of colourful squares featuring winter-themed icons including a robin, holly, a Christmas tree, and snowflakes.

A illustrated cover page for the CYPSP Southern Area Locality Planning Groups’ ‘For Your Information’ Issue 159, dated 18th December 2025. On the left, a pair of hands holds a tablet displaying the FYI circular logo. To the right, the CYPSP logo appears above a grid of colourful squares featuring winter-themed icons including a robin, holly, a Christmas tree, and snowflakes.

Download Issue 159

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

In our last edition of ‘FYI’ for 2025, we would like to wish you greetings for the festive season.

It has been another challenging year for families and supporting services, but we still need to highlight and promote the work carrying on from all sectors in the Southern Area and across Northern Ireland. They continue to be more vital than ever!

Please keep sending us your information and we will do our best to keep spreading the word!!

Locality Development Team, Southern Area