Northern Family Support Hubs attended Youth Fairs

The Northern Family Support Hubs attended three Youth Fairs throughout the month of February. Five local schools were in attendance at the Youth Fairs – Carrick Academy, Carrick Grammar, Ulidia Integrated College, Larne Grammar and St. Killian’s College. The events were very successful and a great chance for young people to learn what support and services is available to them in their area.

Click here to read more on the importance and feedback from a young person attending the event. 

Family Support Hub Celebration Event – June 2022

On 24 June 2022 the CYPSP Support Team, Family Support Hub (Hub) Coordinators, Hub members and other integral Partners came together for the first time since 2018, to reflect on and celebrate the work of the Hubs with particular focus on the work of the Hubs and members during the pandemic.

The day also provided an opportunity for Bronwyn Campbell to meet Hub Coordinators in person for the first time since taking up the role of Regional Family Support Hub Coordinator within the Health & Social Care Board (now SPPG/DoH) at the beginning of January 2022.

Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency and CYPSP Chairperson, opened the event, reflecting on the achievements of the Hubs.

Valerie Maxwell (Children’s Services Planning & Information Manager, SPPG/DoH) presented an animated video summarising the 2021/22 Annual Report, before Bronwyn Campbell addressed the Coordinators.

Presentations followed from Coordinators and Hub members – Lisa Grant (Craigavon & Portadown Hub), Alison Slater (Newry Hub), Joanne McCourt (Belfast Central Mission), Claire Larkin (Northern Area Hubs) and Sharon Nelson (Springfield & Whiterock Hub) who showcased how they adapted and changed their services in creative ways to enabled them to continue to meet the needs of the families and young people despite lockdown.

James Gallagher from Lifeline gave a fantastic presentation on “Caring for the Caregiver” and Eugene Mone from Barnardo’s brought along the Sensory Overload Virtual Reality Experience, a really powerful and thought provoking piece of work.

After a group exercise facilitated by Maxine Gibson (Children’s Services Planning Professional Advisor, SPPG/DoH) looking at what Coordinators seen as the challenges facing the Hubs in the next 12 months and how to rise to these challenges, the event was brought to a close by Maurice Leeson (Programme Manager Partnerships, Emotional Health & Wellbeing, CAMHS and Disability, SPPG/DoH).  This was particularly fitting given that Maurice played such a central role in the establishment of the Hub Network.

 

Southern Area Family Support Hubs Steering Group

The Southern Area Hubs Steering Group met in January and have begun to measure the outcomes from services they procure through their Outcomes Group funding using the outcomes star.
To date this has shown good outcomes for families including improved well-being and improved parenting skills and relationships.
There continue to be strong connections between these 3 Hubs and the range of Parenting Programmes delivered across the Southern Area.

The Craigavon /Banbridge Hub recently conducted a study of users perspectives and perceptions of the Hub . One parent commented “I was willing to take any help… Because my son has been through a phase… It’s always nice to speak to someone other than family and not have to make an appointment to go and see the GP. It’s nice that somebody’s coming out to your house… in your own environment and getting any issues that you might have out in the open.” Another said “There’s a lot of good programmes there that can help you… That’s the best way to get information from a co-ordinated place; they have all the information from different projects available and can co-ordinate that for you.”

View the Report Card Here

Joining the Dots – Information Evening 1st October

Following the Joining the Dots event in the Mourne Country Hotel on Tuesday 16th April 2019 the following report card has been produced and another information event has been scheduled.

Report Card – Tuesday 16th April 2019

A video of the evening can also be viewed here.

The next information event will be held on 1st October, click the flyer below for more details.

Date: Tuesday 1st October 2019
Time: 6.30pm – 9pm
Location: St Josephs High School Crossmaglen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southern Area Family Support Hubs Celebration Event

The Family Support Hub hosts in the Southern Outcomes Group area, held a celebration event on 22 May, to recognise the support to 3262 families over the last 6 years in their area and also to thank all their partner organisations.

Afternoon tea was served at Ballydougan Pottery, Bleary, Craigavon and Olwen Lyner (CEO NIACRO) welcomed everyone to the event.  Donna Murphy from the SHSCT provided an overview of the success of the Hubs and the links to CYPSP, the Outcomes Group and Locality Planning stressing the importance of early intervention and family support.

Helen Dunn (Regional Co-ordinator Family Support Hubs, CYPSP) gave the regional perspective and congratulated all those present on the tremendous work they had undertaken and commended them on the significant difference they had made to the lives of  families and children in the Southern area.

Deirdre McLaughlin  from Connected for Life reminded everyone on the need for self -care. Jacinta Linden (CEO SPACE ) concluded the afternoon event with some encouraging quotes including ” Lovely venue, good company and very much appreciated by all present! Well done everyone!”