Barnardo's Northern Ireland

18/06/2026

What does courage mean when you’ve had to start over?

Hear it from young people who have sought asylum in Northern Ireland. 💚

Their words are real, moving, and full of strength.

Take a moment to listen and help make sure they are heard.

We asked a number of young people from various refugee services acr...

17/06/2026

"I have lived through war and difficult days. And I have seen how life can change in a single moment.

“My journey was not easy, but I learned that courage is not the absence of fear. It is strength to continue despite it.

“The border was not the end of my story. It was the beginning of realising my strength.”

This is the real story of one young person who came to the UK seeking sanctuary.

She spoke at an event at Stormont last night to launch 'Wear Our Courage', a powerful new exhibition showing how courage can be expressed through creativity, resilience and hope.

The exhibition, which will visit venues across Northern Ireland, was created by young people aged 12–21 supported by our Ubuntu project, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund

For Refugee Week, this year's theme is courage.

Courage changes lives. Kindness can too💚

Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People
Paula Bradshaw
Michelle Guy MLA

16/06/2026

It's Refugee Week and we're standing up for every child's right to the security they need to thrive 💚

15/06/2026

Huge congratulations to Mukesh Sharma, Chair of our Northern Ireland Advisory Board, who has been recognised with an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to heritage 🎉

Mukesh has made a remarkable contribution not only to business in Northern Ireland, but to wider society through his roles with the National Lottery Heritage Fund and as Chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

We are incredibly grateful for Mukesh’s leadership and the ongoing support of our Advisory Board.

His expertise makes a real and lasting difference for children, young people and families across Northern Ireland.

09/06/2026

This week is Infant Mental Health Awareness Week and colleagues from our services including Horizon Sure Start were delighted to attend a special event at East Belfast Network Centre as part of the Stronger from the Start Alliance.

The theme for this year is attunement - the ability to tune in and connect with others on an emotional level. It is important for everyone, but particularly for babies and their parents or carers.

As part of the Stronger from the Start Alliance we are continually working to amplify the importance of infant mental health by campaigning for meaningful change in policy, practice, and life experiences.

Today we pledged to work together to improve infant mental health in Northern Ireland through supporting opportunities for connection and care.

09/06/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome Kingsbridge Private Hospital Group as a Gold Sponsor of the Barnardo’s NI Golf Day at Edenmore House this Friday, 12 June.

Their support is helping us make a real and lasting difference to children, young people and families across Northern Ireland - thank you for being part of it. 💚

We’re shaping up for a fantastic day on the course, with great networking, friendly competition, and the chance to support an important cause.

Claire Winter, Head of Marketing at Kingsbridge, pictured with Michele Janes, Director of Barnardo’s NI, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to sponsor this year’s golf day in support of Barnardo’s. The incredible work they do to support children across Northern Ireland is vital.

“At Kingsbridge Private Hospital Group, we believe in actively giving back to our communities and we are incredibly proud to stand alongside a charity that creates such lasting, positive change for young people."

⛳ There’s still time to take part! Rally your team and join us on the day https://www.barnardos.org.uk/events/barnardos-ni-golf-day-2026

03/06/2026

🌟 Volunteers’ Week Spotlight 🌟

This Volunteers’ Week, we’re celebrating the incredible people who give their time, skills and compassion to support children, young people and families. 💚

Our volunteers bring dedication, commitment, passion and expertise to everything they do.

Meet Anne, a Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteer with our Gold Community Partnership Surestart service in Cookstown.

She said: "Having had my first baby during the lockdown era, I was home with no feeding support. One very kind call from a volunteer within the peer support service, who praised my efforts, made all the difference. During those long nights and tough days of my breastfeeding journey, the call and support came at exactly the right time.

"If you’re keen to volunteer, your encouragement and willingness to help can make a real difference to families. You don’t have to have all the answers. Kind words and a listening ear can have a lasting impact."

A huge thank you to Anne and all of our amazing volunteers for the difference they make every day. 👏

Interested in volunteering with Barnardo’s? Find out more at https://www.barnardos.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=344944001&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxdXBBhDEARIsAAUkP6g1OiT2czWhn4zYdcVRjLmhwUZvPOc3rMc7_YatcEs6yjxQ3ccpE3IaAnEgEALw_wcB

01/06/2026

Today, the Equal Protection Working Group has shared its ‘deep disappointment’ that the equal protection of children from physical violence, in the same way as adults, will not be debated as part of the Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill.

Read the joint statement from the coalition’s members from children’s rights organisations, health professional bodies, charities, and community and voluntary sector groups.

Visit: www.niccy.org/articles 💙🩷🧡💚❤️

EPWG members and supporters
Chris Quinn, NSPCC Northern Ireland, Include Youth, Women's Aid Federation Northern Ireland, VOYPIC, Action for Children Northern Ireland, Barnardo's Northern Ireland, BASW, Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI), Children's Law Centre, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Mencap, Stronger from the Start Alliance, Michelle Guy MLA .

28/05/2026

We were pleased to welcome Alex Easton Independent Unionist MP for North Down, to Simpson Family Resource Centre recently.

During the visit, Mr Easton and Peter Wilson met with our Assistant Director of Children’s Service, Dearbhla Holohan, and Family Support Worker Martin Moorcroft, to learn more about our services for children, young people and families across North Down.

Mr Easton also met Policy Officer Meg Stith to discuss early years poverty in his constituency, and the importance of delivering a strong anti-poverty and UK child poverty strategy, including ring-fenced funding, measurable targets, and a whole-systems approach.

28/05/2026