Safety Nets: Social Security for Families in a Devolved UK

Image showing 2 people and row of houses.Text - Is there something you'd like to share about your experience with benefits?

Image showing 2 people and row of houses. Text – Is there something you’d like to share about your experience with benefits?

The research team which includes six universities from across the UK would really appreciate your help in spreading the word. It explores how benefits vary across all 4 countries of the UK and how this impacts families with dependent children. 

As a central part of the project, we’re holding a series of 14 online discussion workshops with parents and carers in receipt of benefits to hear about their experiences and what needs to change. The workshops are open to parents/carers across the UK who receive at least one UK benefit, such as Universal Credit, PIP, or Tax Credits, or who are receiving asylum support. 

The discussions will take place in small, friendly online groups where participants can share their personal experiences and ideas for policy change. To thank them for their time, we are offering £50 in Love2Shop vouchers for each 2.5 hour workshop they attend, with the opportunity to take part in up to two workshops on different topics relating to social security (e.g. employment support, free school meals, welfare mitigations).

Uisce from the research team would be delighted to arrange a Zoom call if you’d like to discuss this further and can be reached on 07552 285828 or safety-nets-project@york.ac.uk

 

Image with text and QR code

Image with text and QR code

Western Area FYI Issue 18 – May 2025

Your FYI is a monthly round up of all things family support and early
intervention prevention across the Western trust and beyond.

Download Issue 18

If you would like to contribute upcoming consultations, training, articles, or
events that practitioners from the community, voluntary or statutory sectors
within the Western Trust will find useful please contact: –

Dr Priscilla Magee Mobile 07880723076  priscilla.magee@westerntrust.hscni.net

Paul Sweeney  Mobile 07387259117  paul.sweeney@westerntrust.hscni.net

World Salt Awareness Week (12-18th May)

Reducing salt in our diets is a quick and effective way to reduce our blood pressure and improve our health. We often don’t realise just how much salt we are eating because most of the salt we eat is already in the food we buy.

Find out more in our short video: https://youtu.be/JC9ZoGD6T0w?si=Ws9Mtsb5x4s0FBnd

 

 

Western HSC Trust Autism Support Cafés 2025

March 2025 saw the end of the Western Health and Social Care Trust (in colloboration with CYPSP) Autism Support Cafés for the financial year. Coordinated by the Health Improvement, Equality and Involvement Department in partnership with local councils and Community organisations, the cafes bring together statutory and community and voluntary sector services. These services offer support to adults, parents, carers and their families who have an Autism diagnosis, are awaiting assessment or are displaying early indicators that they may be Neurodivergent.

Our last café took place in Castlepark Leisure Centre, Lisnaskea to coincide with the beginning of Autism Acceptance week 2025. With over 20 services regularly attending the different cafes over the last year to provide information, support and signposting, the cafes have proven to be popular with some service users commenting;

“Services is great. Loads of information and staff was lovely” and “Great event, lots of variety of support available for families”

We want the cafes to be a place where adults, parents and carers can come and speak with different services which are all in one place in an informal way.

Image with text - picture of 2 people holding cup and saucer and write up about autism cafes which took place in 2024/25.

Image with text – picture of 2 people holding cup and saucer and write up about autism cafes which took place in 2024/25.

Images with text showcasing some highlights of the 2025 Autism Cafes

Images with text showcasing some highlights of the 2025 Autism Cafes

 

 

 

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.