As we move into July, the Women’s Regional Consortium continues to work alongside partners and campaign groups to advocate for policies that tackle poverty, support carers, and strengthen social security protections for women and families across Northern Ireland. This month’s update highlights our ongoing involvement in the Guarantee Our Essentials campaign, our work with the […]
The government launched the Timms Review to try and ensure that Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is fair and fit for the future in a changing world, and that it helps support disabled people to achieve better health, higher living standards and greater independence, including through employment. The Call for Evidence was aimed at organisations and […]
The Education Committee published a call for evidence on the Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill. It seeks to restore the ‘Holiday Hunger’ payments which were made to those entitled to Free School Meals during holiday periods. These payments were stopped in 2023. It was one of the key asks of Consortium research into the impact […]
The Right to Food UK Commission’s call for evidence on a Right to Food law sought to consider the following: The extent and nature of food insecurity across the UK, including the various nations and regions and specific localities The effects of malnutrition and food insecurity on public health outcomes in the UK The impact […]
The Department for Communities is consulting on the Warm Healthy Homes Fund. This is an energy efficiency scheme to improve warmth, health and energy affordability of low-income households in the owner-occupier and private rented sectors. This Fund will replace the Affordable Warmth Scheme which has been in place since 2014. The proposals include: Eligibility qualification […]
The Women’s Regional Consortium has submitted evidence to the Right to Food UK Commission, highlighting how women in Northern Ireland are being forced to skip meals, go without essentials and carry the burden of food insecurity as household costs continue to rise. Women in Northern Ireland are being forced to go without food, heat and […]
Right to Food UK Commission Call for Evidence The Right to Food UK Commission is collecting evidence and lived experiences regarding feeding families and communities in the UK. They are inviting written evidence in the following areas: Food insecurity in the UK, challenges and solutions that are having a positive impact Experiences of seeking support […]
Introduction to Gender Budgeting workshop, delivered by NIRWN on behalf of the Northern Ireland Women’s Budget Group and Ulster University took place. We were delighted to welcome women from organisations, community groups and local communities across Northern Ireland. The session explored gender equality, gender inequality, what gender budgeting is, and how individuals can become advocates […]
Year 2 of the Animate-Build-Connect Programme is now open, and NIRWN is looking for 8 rural women’s groups to join us from September 2026. If you’re part of a group that could do with some dedicated support, this is worth reading. Successfully selected groups will receive: a tailored mentoring and development plan, a mix of […]
The Women’s Regional Consortium, in partnership with Ulster University, has submitted evidence to the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Education strongly backing the proposed Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill and calling for urgent action to address rising child poverty and food insecurity. The joint submission draws on extensive research with women across Northern Ireland, revealing […]
