There are very few policy wins these days but the scrapping of the two-child limit is a really important one. The scrapping of this cruel policy by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the Autumn 2025 Budget has been the result of many years of campaigning by the women’s sector, the Community & Voluntary sector and […]
Three new funds from the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland The Randal Foundation will offer grants to support grassroots activity that directly save or significantly improve lives. Grants of up to £3,000 available. The Inspiring Growth Fund aims to help organisations in the community sector take the time and space needed to focus on their […]
Campaigns: Guarantee our Essentials Siobhán is part of a campaign from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Trussell Trust calling for an Essentials Guarantee within Universal Credit. The Essentials Guarantee would embed in the social security system a principle that at a minimum Universal Credit should protect people from going without essentials. You can read […]
This Strategy sets out the Department for Communities’ commitment to achieve better employment outcomes for disabled people, people with health conditions, and people who are neurodivergent. In 2023/24 the employment rate for disabled people in Northern Ireland was 43.4% around half of the employment rate for people without disabilities (83.7%). The difference between these two […]
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves MP announced the scrapping of the two-child limit in Universal Credit in her Autumn Budget 2025 speech. The two-child limit will be scrapped from April 2026. This is testament to many years of campaigning by the women’s sector and the wider Community and Voluntary sector. The two-child limit has a greater […]
Siobhán has carried out a number of focus group for the next Consortium research paper which is on Women and Mental Health. The aim of the research is to highlight a number of areas: The problems with poor mental health in Northern Ireland. Women’s increased likelihood to experience poor mental health. The contributing factors to […]
Mid Ulster District Council Grant Aid Apply here. How much is available: Varies by scheme (Community Development, Irish Language Activity, Infrastructure, etc.) Who can apply: Organisations supporting local communities Deadline: 20 February 2026 at 12pm Music for All Community Projects Apply here. How much is available: Up to £1,500 or musical instruments Who can […]
Women’s Support Network Policy Worker, Siobhán Harding, has carried out a number of focus group for the next Consortium research paper which is on Women and Mental Health. The aim of the research is to highlight a number of areas: The problems with poor mental health in Northern Ireland. Women’s increased likelihood to experience poor […]
This Strategy sets out the Department for Communities’ commitment to achieve better employment outcomes for disabled people, people with health conditions, and people who are neurodivergent. In 2023/24 the employment rate for disabled people in Northern Ireland was 43.4% around half of the employment rate for people without disabilities (83.7%). The difference between these two […]
Campaigns: Guarantee our Essentials Siobhán is part of a campaign from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Trussell Trust calling for an Essentials Guarantee within Universal Credit. The Essentials Guarantee would embed in the social security system a principle that at a minimum Universal Credit should protect people from going without essentials. You can read […]
