Action for Children: 20 years of support

Action for Children celebrates 20 years in Northern Ireland this month. Recently appointed National Director NI, Lorna Ballard, outlines the impact the organisation has had.

In 2019/2020 we reached 15,589 children, young people and family members in communities across all five trusts via services including:

• Sure Starts in Ballymena, Antrim, Ballymote and Waterside;
• Tackling homelessness in floating support, supported accommodation and supported lodgings;
• Fostering;
• Family Support Hubs;
• Choices Family Support and Early Intervention Support Services;
• Early Help for Families in Clooney Family Centre, Ballymote Family Project and Early Intervention Family Support Services;
• Support for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers; and
• The Blues Programmes supports young people with mental health issues.

We want every child and young person to have a safe and happy childhood and the foundations they need to thrive. The lives of so many children and families have been turned upside down by the pandemic, many who were already struggling to make ends meet.

We know that the pandemic, lockdown and financial consequences have put enormous pressure on children and families. The impact on mental health and wellbeing has the potential to be severe, with many children and young people having adverse and traumatic experiences. In these uncertain times, children need us more than ever to work together.

I’m proud of our dedicated and passionate staff who are supporting children virtually where face-to-face contact hasn’t been possible, and grateful for the generous donations from the public that have provided food and other basic essentials to 167 vulnerable children and families via our emergency appeal.

Looking to the future, we will be campaigning in collaboration with our partners to bring lasting positive change to the lives of children and families in Northern Ireland.

T: 028 9046 0500
W: www.actionforchildren.org.uk
@Actn4ChildrenNI
www.facebook.com/actionforchildrennorthernireland