The Director of BookTrust Northern Ireland has described the announcement of cuts to the BookStart scheme as “very disappointing”. The scheme which has been running in NI for decades will no longer provide every baby with a reading starter pack containing two reading books. Speaking to Ni4kids about the announcement,Read More →
The Department of Education has axed the holiday food grant ahead of next week’s Easter school holidays. Since July 2020, families of 96,000 children eligible for free school meals have received £27 per child each fortnight during school holidays. The school holiday food grant was to help low-income families withRead More →
From coaching kids’ football in Belfast to the Academy Awards red carpet in Los Angeles, Belfast man James Martin takes it all in his stride. Speaking to Ni4kids’ Laura Barr, on World Down Syndrome Day, James said it was ‘such an honour’ to have been awarded an Oscar. The actorRead More →
More than four in five (83 per cent) of disabled people in Northern Ireland say that their financial situation has worsened since the start of the year, according to a survey conducted by the disability charity, Sense. The survey also revealed that one in two (55 per cent) admit toRead More →
This week’s (6-12 February) marks Children’s Mental Health Week and to mark it NSPCC Northern Ireland has offered advice for children and adults who may need help connecting with each other. Darren Worth, Service Head of Childline said: “At Childline, we know that mental health is something that thousands ofRead More →
Festival celebrates 25 years as it brings global, UK and Ireland premieres to Belfast and tackles wide-ranging real-life issues through dance, drama, music and performance. Clocking up 25 glorious years, Belfast Children’s Festival 2023 is celebrating a huge birthday with a festival filled with silver linings this spring! The Festival,Read More →
9 out of 10 prospective adopters say the cost-of-living crisis is affecting their decisions about adoption, according to a December 2022 survey by the charity Adoption UK. 87% of prospective adopters said cost of living increases were a significant factor in the decisions they were making about becoming an adoptiveRead More →
Proposed further cuts to funding would have a “catastrophic” effect on schools and young people, the NI Children’s Commissioner has said, following news that the Education Authority (EA) have been directed to bridge a £110m funding gap. “Meeting with the EA recently I was alarmed to discover the scale andRead More →
The Department of Health has announced a public consultation to inform an updated Autism Strategy to be published in the spring. They want to know more about what life is like for autistic people, their families and carers, to get a better idea of what support you receive, and howRead More →
New Action for Children research finds seven in ten (71%) working parents surveyed in Northern Ireland have cut back on heating, with two fifths worrying they’ll disappoint their children during the festive season due to money struggles · Seven in ten (71%) working parents expressed they have had to cutRead More →
Parents and guardians are being urged to be alert for the signs of group A streptococcal (GAS) infections by the Public Health Agency (PHA). Group A streptococcus bacteria usually cause a mild infection producing sore throats or scarlet fever that can be easily treated with antibiotics. In very rare circumstances,Read More →
WWT Castle Espie has revealed its plans of staying connected with members and supporters whilst the site remains temporarily closed to visitors due to Avian Influenza. Through a series of stories and online activities the centre plans to reveal the #GiantSpiritofCastleEspie until the site can reopen. Behind the scenes, theRead More →