NI Youth Forum

The Northern Ireland Youth Forum is a regional youth led body. We exist to promote the voice of young people and ensure they are heard by decision makers!

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

NI Youth Forum will no longer be using X (formerly Twitter).

We regularly review the spaces where we connect with young people and partners. After careful thought, we’ve decided to step away from X and focus on platforms that better reflect our values of respect, inclusion and positive participation.

You can still keep up with our work and get involved through our other social media channels. We’d love to stay connected with you there. 💛

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

🩷YOUNG WOMENS CHAMPIONS GROUP🩷

Last night the Champion’s Group embarked on an adventure to Derry, Maine to take on Pennywise the Clown in numerous challenges 🤡

It is safe to say that it was scream-tastic!😱

They escaped with seconds to spare but little to no breath left after the jump scares & thrills.

A lovely evening out together having a laugh and squeezing each other tightly😂

Thank you to @ThePilgrimTrust for funding this work👏🏽

#womensempowerment
#womensupportingwomen

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

✨YOUNG WOMEN’S GROUP✨

Last night the young women came together for their 2nd last session together.

They reflected together, shared values that are important to them from being in the group and planned what they want their collage to look like🫶🏽

A beautiful evening full of love, compassion, reflection & forward planning⏩

We can’t wait to see the collage coming together and we cannot wait to show it off🤩

Thank you to the @nihecommunity Homeless Prevention Fund and @ThePilgrimTrust for funding this work 👏🏽

#homelesspreventionfund
#WomenEmpowerments

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

✨YOUNG WOMEN’S GROUP✨

Last night the young women’s voice group came together for their 3rd final session.

We started with a check in 1-10 and if we were a sandwich what would we be and why? 🥪 This quickly turned into a competition of who best described their sandwich with our judge Aoife scoring each 👀

The girls then looking into their closure and have decided to do a group collage to encapsulate their memories from June last year! Along with pictures, personal reflection, and forward thinking ➡️

The session ended with a check out 1-10 and a quick fire of favourite desserts 😋 Aliyah took the star with her Sticky Toffee Pudding!

We are extremely proud of each member for their continued commitment and participation within the group ⭐️

Stay tuned over the next few weeks to see snip its of their final piece 🫶🏽

Thank you to the @nihecommunity homeless prevention fund and @ThePilgrimTrust for funding this work 👏🏽

#homelesspreventionfund
#YoungWomenEmpowerment

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

@CFNIreland Lived Experience Group got right into it this week by continuing to build relationships 🤝 and push ➡️themselves knowing that comfort zones🔐 don't create change🦋. Incredible group willing, capable and motivated 💪

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

✨YOUNG WOMEN’S GROUP✨

Last week, the Young Women’s Voice group took on the Upside Down at the SSE arena.

Laughs where had, team work was on point, and communication was key 🔑

Did we escape? Nope.
Did we have the best craic? Yes!

The group are into their closure phase and are winding down over the next few weeks.

Stay tuned to see they’re amazing journeys throughout the group 👀

Thank you to the @nihecommunity Homelessness Prevention Fund and @ThePilgrimTrust for funding this work🙏🏽

#homelesspreventionfund
#womensupportingwomen
#womenempoweringwomen

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

Yesterday we stood with our #YouthStart partners and colleagues from the Community Voluntary Sector at today's NICVA led rally on the steps of Stormont to fight for our #UKSPF funding which has been cut by 64%.

Stands with us by sharing and contact your local reps!

#NICANTWAIT

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

Fantastic evening 🔥 with our Lived Experience Group, gratefully funded by the @CFNIreland. Excellent discussions 🗣around #leadershipdevelopment and building foundations ✊️ to #SpeakTruthToPower ...👀 this space ✨️

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

🩷CHAMPION’S GROUP🩷

Last night the Champions Group were back with a bang 💥

We shared something we got up to over the break and each person had to guess who’s story was who’s 👀

Followed by a game of imposter 🤫

It’s safe to say many laughs were had and it was just great to be back in the space again together🫶🏽

Thank you to @ThePilgrimTrust for funding this work👏🏽

@FallsWomens
Lighthouse
The Parent Rooms

#ChampionsGroup
#womenempowerment

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

✨ A belated Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

We hope 2026 is a great year for you!! 🥳🙌

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

The deadline for Good Relations Award nominations has been extended! There are multiple categories including a Young Person category.

If you know a Young Person or Youth Organisation who is doing great work, nominate them to get recognised here: https://t.co/sscNEFWI20

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

And that’s a wrap for 2025 for our amazing Executive Committee 🎅 thank you for your leadership, vision and hard work all year 🌟 #youthled

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

🩷CHAMPIONS GROUP🩷

Last night, the Young Women’s Champions Group enjoyed a meal out together at Cosmo’s.

It was lovely to get out together and see all the festivities!🎄

A very well deserved break for the group full of laughter and love.

Thank you to @ThePilgrimTrust for funding this amazing work.

@FallsWomens
Lighthouse
The Parent Rooms

#championsgroup

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

🧡 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 🧡

Our Call to Action!

As the 16 Days come to an end, the message remains: the work isn’t finished.

Young people have shown courage, honesty, and hope throughout this campaign.

Our key asks:

🔸Stronger protections against online abuse
🔸Proper funding for services that support survivors
🔸Education that challenges harmful attitudes
🔸Policies that put the safety of all young people first
🔸Real commitment, not just words

Now the responsibility sits with those who can turn that hope into real change. Because awareness means nothing without action, and promises mean nothing without delivery.

Not tomorrow. Not when it’s convenient. Now.

@danielbakersf
@ColinSDLP
@Gary_Middleton
@sianalliance
@RobbieButlerMLA
@MensAllianceNI
@MensAdvisoryP
@NiRibbon
@WomensAidNI
Nexus NI

#NoExcuse #ACTtoEndViolence #WomensRightsAreHumanRights

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

What an incredible end to an amazing project with our @nivictimscom #Youth #Panel at the weekend in Co. Fermanagh.

Young people celebrated🎉,reflected🤔, spent time evaluating📝and sharing their hopes for the future and hopefully having other opportunities to work alongside V&S Commissioner Joe McVey, CVS Staff and the V&S Forum. We are so proud of this work and the young people involved👏

Congratulations to everyone 🎉👏💛✨️🌟 #youthvoice #SpeakingTruthToPower

@ChrisReynolds68

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

🧡 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 🧡

Today we’re looking at what our government says about ending GBV.

This post brings together a message from Sian Mulholland Alliance MLA, children’s rights outlined in the UNCRC, and key commitments from the Programme for Government 2024-2027.

Together, they show what government has promised and what young people expect to see delivered.

Clear commitments. Now they need action.

@sianalliance

#NoExcuse #ACTtoEndViolence #WomensRightsAreHumanRights

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

🧡16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence🧡

Gender-based violence is never acceptable and will never be tolerated by NI Youth Forum. Every young person deserves to feel safe, respected and heard.

At NI Youth Forum, we’re committed to creating safe spaces where young people can talk openly, ask questions without judgement, and learn how to build healthy, equal relationships. Early education and honest conversations are key to ending the stigma that enables abuse.

We’re taking action in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child:

🔸Article 3 — adults must act in the best interests of young people.
🔸Article 17 — young people have the right to honest information that protects them.
🔸Article 19 — every young person has the right to be safe from all forms of violence.

As we mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we’re calling on young people across Northern Ireland to stand with us, speak out, challenge harmful behaviours, and help build a culture where everyone feels safe.

#NoExcuse #ACTtoEndViolence #WomensRightsAreHumanRights

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

Stay Tuned 👀 @nivictimscom

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

🧡16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence🧡

Education & Language

Education shapes our attitudes. Language shapes our behaviour. Together, they change the narrative.

Education gives us the tools to understand what gender-based violence looks like, why it happens, and how we can spot the warning signs not just in others, but in ourselves and our communities.

Language then builds on that learning.

The words we use every day in conversations, in jokes, online, in group chats can either reinforce harmful ideas or completely break them down. When we challenge sexist jokes, stop victim-blaming, use inclusive words, and speak with empathy, we make it clear that violence and disrespect have no place in our culture.

And that’s how we change the narrative.

By learning, by speaking up, and by choosing words that support, empower, and uplift. Together we can create a world where young people feel safe, heard, and respected and where gender-based violence is never overlooked or minimised.

Changing how we talk is the first step to changing what we accept.

#NoExcuse #ACTtoEndViolence #WomensRightsAreHumanRights

[NI Youth Forum @NIYF]

🧡16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence🧡

Support Services in NI

If you need someone to talk to, somewhere safe to go, or advice on what to do next, there are services ready to listen and support you:

🔸Nexus — offering confidential support for anyone affected by sexual abuse or violence.
🔸Women’s Aid — providing safety, guidance, and emergency accommodation for women, children,
and young people.
🔸Men’s Advisory Project — supporting men who are experiencing domestic or gender-based violence.

These organisations are here for young people of all genders and identities.

Reaching out is a brave step and you deserve to feel safe, heard, and supported.

@WomensAidNI

#NoExcuse #ACTtoEndViolence #WomensRightsAreHumanRights