Tag Archives: southern-og

Celebrating Excellence: Children’s Services Planning Team Recognized for Outstanding Contributions

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At this year’s SPPG Recognition and Awards event, the Children’s Services Planning Team was celebrated for its exceptional work in supporting the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP). The team received multiple commendations for initiatives that have made a real difference to children, young people, and families across the region.

Driving Success Through Collaboration

The team was highly commended under the Partnership and Driving Success category for its work on The Youth Wellness Web. This innovative online platform provides young people with easy access to mental health and wellbeing resources, empowering them to find support when they need it most.

“The Youth Wellness Web is about giving young people the tools to take control of their wellbeing. It’s a collaborative effort that reflects our commitment to listening and responding to their needs,” said a spokesperson from the Children’s Services Planning Team.

Explore the Youth Wellness Web

Innovation in Data Intelligence

The team was also highly commended in the Innovation in Data Intelligence category for its Interactive Mapping and Performance System. This system represents a significant step forward in how data is used to inform planning and service delivery for children and families. By visualizing key indicators and trends, the platform enables decision-makers to target resources effectively and respond to emerging needs with precision.

Learn more about CYPSP Mapping Tools

Breaking Down Barriers with the Translation Hub

In addition, the team’s Translation Hub was recognized under the Excellence and Outstanding Performance category. This initiative ensures that vital information and resources are accessible to families whose first language is not English. By providing translated materials and culturally sensitive communication, the hub promotes inclusivity and equal access to services, strengthening support for diverse communities.

Access the Translation Hub

Commitment to Children and Families

These achievements highlight the unwavering commitment of the Children’s Services Planning Team to improving the lives of children and young people across the region. Their work demonstrates how collaboration, creativity, and data-driven approaches can lead to meaningful change and better outcomes for families.

“These projects show what can be achieved when we work together with a shared vision for children and young people. Congratulations to everyone involved,” said Tracey McCaig, Chief Operating Officer.

Congratulations to Bronwyn, Valerie, Louise, Sharon and Yvonne

Issue 158 – Southern Area FYI – 27 November 2025

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Welcome to Issue 158 of our fortnightly newsletter, ‘FYI’ (For Your Information).

Graphic for “Southern Area Locality Planning Groups” newsletter. The top left has a blue banner with white text reading “Southern Area Locality Planning Groups” and two right-pointing arrows. Below, two hands hold a tablet displaying a circular logo with “FYI For Your Information” inside. Bottom left text reads “ISSUE 158, 27th November 2025” in green and purple. The top right shows the CYPSP logo with the tagline “Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership.” Below are purple and green squares featuring icons for email, phone, globe, and person

Graphic for “Southern Area Locality Planning Groups” newsletter. The top left has a blue banner with white text reading “Southern Area Locality Planning Groups” and two right-pointing arrows. Below, two hands hold a tablet displaying a circular logo with “FYI For Your Information” inside. Bottom left text reads “ISSUE 158, 27th November 2025” in green and purple. The top right shows the CYPSP logo with the tagline “Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership.” Below are purple and green squares featuring icons for email, phone, globe, and person

Download Issue 158

(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 penultimate ‘FYI’ of 2025 we have pulled together a massive amount of information an opportunities for children, young people, parents and practitioners. Please share with all relevant contacts.

 The next page sees our Annual Survey to agree on the formats of our Locality Planning Group meetings for next year. If you attend, or intend to do so, please take 5 minutes to give us your thoughts on how the meetings should be run – Your feedback is always appreciated. In our next edition, we will have all dates and formats of our 6 LPG meetings for 2026.

Keep sending your information – It’s always important to let us all know what’s happening in the Southern Area.

Have A Ho-Ho-Healthier Holiday Season

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At Christmas we’re often surrounded by so much delicious food and drink…festive fries, boxes of chocolates and cheeseboards galore! You can absolutely still enjoy the festive period without overdoing it. 

A festive graphic with a red background and holiday-themed decorations. On the left, there is a photo of a wooden board arranged with a healthy Christmas graze selection, including grapes, cheese cubes, breadsticks, crackers, and vegetables, styled in a tree shape. Text on the image reads: “A Healthier Holiday Season!” and “Plus: How to Make a Healthier Christmas Graze Board.” There is a QR code and a red button labeled “Watch Now.” Logos for Health and Social Care and the Public Health Agency are at the bottom

A festive graphic with a red background and holiday-themed decorations. On the left, there is a photo of a wooden board arranged with a healthy Christmas graze selection, including grapes, cheese cubes, breadsticks, crackers, and vegetables, styled in a tree shape. Text on the image reads: “A Healthier Holiday Season!” and “Plus: How to Make a Healthier Christmas Graze Board.” There is a QR code and a red button labeled “Watch Now.” Logos for Health and Social Care and the Public Health Agency are at the bottom

Some tips to try:

  • Realistic – trying to make healthier choices 80% of the time is more realistic and allows space for enjoying some of your favourite festive foods.
  • Usual routine – stick to your usual eating and activity routines when you can.
  • Drink plenty of water – stay well hydrated by drinking 6-8 glasses of fluid daily.
  • Outside – research shows that just 5 minutes walking in nature improves mood, self-esteem, and relaxation so why not try to fit in some lunchtime steps.
  • Limit alcohol – if you drink alcohol try to stick within the limits of 14 units per week with a few alcohol-free days each week.
  • Portion control – it’s totally OK to enjoy your favourite festive treats but just think about how much and how often you’re having them. For example, 3 chocolates = ~130 calories, 10 sweets = ~430 calories – that’s a difference of 300 calories!
  • Habit stack – add some healthy habits onto things you already do. For example, do a few squats while you wait for the kettle to boil or add an extra piece of fruit as a snack.

Find out more top tips from our Public Health Dietitians in this short video.

Scan the QR code or click the link to watch: https://youtu.be/u_8Upqynyq4?si=EZQekFLF1Q_okFZM

 

 

Tis’ the Season for Using Your Slow Cooker!

Illustration of a white plate on a purple background with a fork on the left and a knife on the right. Inside the plate, there is a simple graphic of a person standing next to a slow cooker on a counter. Text on the plate reads: “Easy Slow Cooking.” At the bottom are three logos: HSC Public Health Agency, Public Health Dietitians Group Northern Ireland, and HSC Health and Social Care

Illustration of a white plate on a purple background with a fork on the left and a knife on the right. Inside the plate, there is a simple graphic of a person standing next to a slow cooker on a counter. Text on the plate reads: “Easy Slow Cooking.” At the bottom are three logos: HSC Public Health Agency, Public Health Dietitians Group Northern Ireland, and HSC Health and Social Care

Slow cooking has become a popular cooking method due to its minimal effort and energy-savings. Find out our top tips for making the most of your slow cooker in this short video.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/J5nQW9LSknQ

 

 

Winter Warmer Recipes

As temperatures continue to cool, we look to our food to heat us up.  Our YouTube channel has simple step-by-step recipe videos for lots of easy and tasty meals.

Slow Cooker Potato & Leek Soup https://youtu.be/Xa3aZJHS7i0?si=wSt9NaVF6o3c-VRH

Chicken Curry https://youtu.be/WSpPYWlM50Q?si=zmiTv9B7T0W1cCG_

Fish Pie https://youtu.be/NQ1JYvZhZtU?si=n3BjUsfJ-4VSb4hz

 

There are lots more recipes on our YouTube channel so check it out if you are looking for tasty but healthy dinner inspiration on the run up to Christmas!

Promotional graphic with a blue background encouraging viewers to subscribe on YouTube to “Public Health Dietitians.” At the center, a hand holds a smartphone displaying a QR code with the text “SCAN ME” and a YouTube logo above it. On the left, two circular images show a slow cooker and a bowl of soup with the caption “Healthy Recipe Videos.” On the right, two circular images show a group eating together and a platter of fresh fruits and vegetables arranged in a heart shape, with the caption “Free Nutrition Webinars.” At the bottom are logos for HSC Health and Social Care, Public Health Dietitians Group Northern Ireland, and HSC Public Health Agency.

Promotional graphic with a blue background encouraging viewers to subscribe on YouTube to “Public Health Dietitians.” At the center, a hand holds a smartphone displaying a QR code with the text “SCAN ME” and a YouTube logo above it. On the left, two circular images show a slow cooker and a bowl of soup with the caption “Healthy Recipe Videos.” On the right, two circular images show a group eating together and a platter of fresh fruits and vegetables arranged in a heart shape, with the caption “Free Nutrition Webinars.” At the bottom are logos for HSC Health and Social Care, Public Health Dietitians Group Northern Ireland, and HSC Public Health Agency.

 

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) – Southern Trust Area

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Action Mental Health flyer promoting free ASIST training funded by SHSCT Protect Life Strategy. Two-day workshop on suicide intervention skills for caregivers and those supporting people at risk. Dates: 2–3 December 2025, 9:30 am–4:30 pm, Clan Na Gael, Lurgan. Attendance both days required. Contact wellbeing@amh.org.uk to book.

 

This two-day intensive workshop is aimed at preventing the immediate risk of suicide.  The programme teaches Suicide First Aid skills to anyone who may come into contact with a person at risk.

This course is fully funded through SHSCT Protect Life Strategy Fund, there is no cost to participants, however we do ask that you ensure you can attend both dates before applying, as places are limited.

Dates: Tuesday 2nd & Wednesday 3rd December 2025
Times: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm (registration from 9:15am each day)
Venue: Clan Na Gael, Francis Street, Lurgan, BT66 6DN

Note: this training is open to individuals/small groups within the Southern Trust area only

For further information or to reserve a place contact wellbeing@amh.org.uk

Download flyer

Issue 157 – Southern Area FYI – 6 November 2025

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Welcome to Issue 157 of our fortnightly newsletter, ‘FYI’ (For Your Information).

A graphic for the “Southern Area Locality Planning Groups” newsletter. At the top left, a blue banner with white text reads “SOUTHERN AREA LOCALITY PLANNING GROUPS” with two blue arrows pointing right. The top right displays the CYPSP logo and tagline “Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership.” On the left side, a hand holds a tablet showing a circular logo with the words “FYI For Your Information” in purple and green. Below the tablet, green text reads “ISSUE 157” and purple text below says “6th November 2025.” The right side features a grid of purple and green squares with icons: an envelope with an @ symbol, a telephone handset, a globe, and a person with a checkmark

A graphic for the “Southern Area Locality Planning Groups” newsletter. At the top left, a blue banner with white text reads “SOUTHERN AREA LOCALITY PLANNING GROUPS” with two blue arrows pointing right. The top right displays the CYPSP logo and tagline “Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership.” On the left side, a hand holds a tablet showing a circular logo with the words “FYI For Your Information” in purple and green. Below the tablet, green text reads “ISSUE 157” and purple text below says “6th November 2025.” The right side features a grid of purple and green squares with icons: an envelope with an @ symbol, a telephone handset, a globe, and a person with a checkmark

Download Issue 157

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

Thanks, as always, for your submissions for this new edition of ‘FYI’: more opportunities, activities, programmes and support for children, young people, parents and families.

Why not come to one of our 6 Locality Planning Groups in the Southern Area to share your information directly with practitioners across the area in Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Dungannon, Newry & Mourne and South Armagh?  Drop us a line and we’ll explain how you can do this and the benefits of doing so to you, your organisations and the families with whom you work.

Locality Development Team, Southern Area