Save the Children Northern Ireland

We work with children, families & community partners to reduce childhood poverty and tackle its devastating impacts!

[Sheena McMullen @mcmullen_sheena]

Research about disability is stronger when it includes the voices of people with lived experience. They bring insight into the realities behind the data, help identify what matters most, and ensure findings lead to policies and services that work in practice—not just on paper.

[Women's Support Net @WSN_NI]

On #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek the Women’s Regional Consortium launches research on Mental Health Matters for Women in NI showing the contributory factors, impacts & actions needed to address women’s poor mental health

Research📑: https://t.co/Npw6v9eeBA

Key findings🧵⬇️

[Save the Children Northern Ireland @SCUKNI]

Tragically we say it again - no child should be exploited through fear and hate for violent ends. No community should have to cower in fear of violence.

[BBC News NI @BBCNewsNI]

Church leaders have appealed for calm after violence in Londonderry which police believe involved children as young as 10 and may have been orchestrated by paramilitaries. https://t.co/AUUxVAt2Vv

[Save the Children Northern Ireland @SCUKNI]

“Poverty pressures are getting louder. We all want to make this work. For the sake of the children who live it every day we’re asking – when will a plan on poverty get real?” @irish_news @SaveUKNews https://t.co/DdhmKCQblY

[Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick @C_Fitz_]

It's good news that @danielbakersf private member's bill to reinstate school holiday payments has passed second stage in the NIA. I only got to catch bit of the debate. I agree with @NickDMathison in respect of the thousands of children in poverty who are not entitled to FSM.

[Save the Children Northern Ireland @SCUKNI]

Much focus at Stormont today on under pressure families & soaring living costs. 3 yrs since holiday hunger payments were axed MLAs debate a Private Members' Bill from @danielbakersf to see them reinstated. Currently children here are treated unequally compared to rest of UK &Ire.

[Save the Children Northern Ireland @SCUKNI]

Latest child poverty stats didn't get pick-up in NI media last wk but we want to keep sharing about impact on the children behind the data. There's a story of widening inequality in terms of support offered to families here. We can't be silent on this! https://t.co/yUgLiFl9zG

[Save the Children Northern Ireland @SCUKNI]

We stand with voluntary and community sector staff this week as they face into a funding cliff-edge. These people are frontline and on the ground, serving many who face profound challenge & disadvantage @NICVA

[BBC The View @bbctheview]

"All we see is the NI Executive spending more time trying to blame other people - rather than actually thinking how do we solve this locally."

David Babington, from Action Mental Health NI faces funding cuts from Wednesday.

Read more:
https://t.co/tXwctr0y2P

[Save the Children Northern Ireland @SCUKNI]

Latest UK Gov stats show 1 in 5 children in NI in poverty. 1 in 3 in some of our communities! Beyond the headline data we believe there's a deeper story of a widening inequality gap for children here when it comes to support they're given compared to other parts of these islands!

[Save the Children Northern Ireland @SCUKNI]

Our CEO @MoazzamTMalik on BBC NI's Talkback speaking out on the plight of 1 in 5 children who live in conflict zones. He spoke movingly about impacts on children in Middle East & Sudan: "Don't look away, we need to keep our eyes on the conflict and recognise our common humanity."

[Save the Children Northern Ireland @SCUKNI]

In uncertain global times it’s good to have our Save the Children CEO @MoazzamTMalik here holding conversations north & south. In Dublin he held an energising discussion with Irish Aid on how to bolster protections for children caught in conflict around the world. @savechildrenuk

[Save the Children Northern Ireland @SCUKNI]

🔴Decades of evidence show that children who access quality, affordable childcare and high-quality early learning are more likely to thrive in school and life. The difference between ready to learn & being left behind is decided before they even reach the school gates!

[Save the Children Northern Ireland @SCUKNI]

Here are some of our thoughts on Stormont's Early Learning & Childcare Strategy:
🔴Its subsidy scheme is conditional on employment - excluding families who have children living in poverty, from homes where parents can't work for many reasons inc disability, domestic violence🧵

[Save the Children Northern Ireland @SCUKNI]

🔴Early years provision should be universal, not conditional on employment status. We ask for measurable, time-bound child poverty targets written in to law, so that the Executive is accountable not to progress reports but to children themselves.

[Women's Support Net @WSN_NI]

Important survey results from @Food_Foundation which echoes our previous research on cost of living increases. Investing in the Healthy Start Scheme & extending Free School Meals would really help in relation to providing children with a healthy diet ⬇️ @C_Fitz_ @NIAntiPov

[Northern Ireland Anti Poverty Network @NIAntiPov]

The consultation to the Executive's draft Disability Strategy closes today. NIAPN is deeply concerned that there is not enough focus on tackling the disproportionate levels of poverty experienced by Deaf and Disabled People.
https://t.co/lQLy0xlIl0

[Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick @C_Fitz_]

Unfortunately with limited means - it will be impossible to provide every oil consuming household with support. This support must go to those who need it most - households that have children and those with someone with a disability / chronic health issues.

[Northern Ireland Anti Poverty Network @NIAntiPov]

Rebecca from @AtlasWomenatlas spoke brilliantly about the struggle with increased oil prices and how people need support immediately.

[Save the Children Northern Ireland @SCUKNI]

For the 110,000 children in poverty in NI - support needs to go well beyond oil bills. Our response to the UK Government home heating oil support package: