Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI)

24/08/2026

📢 CiNI Members - Children's Policy Forum

CiNI will convene the next Children’s Policy Forum to discuss our NI Assembly Election 2027 Campaign: The Children's Guarantee.

📅 Wednesday 16 September
⌚️ 10am – 11.30am
📍 CiNI, Montgomery Road, Belfast

In May 2027, voters across Northern Ireland will go to the polls to elect a new Assembly and Executive - political leaders whose decisions will shape the lives, opportunities and wellbeing of children and young people for many years to come.

The Children's Guarantee asks every political party to commit to a common set of pledges that will improve the lives of children and young people across Northern Ireland. It is a cross-party commitment to put children first, by making their rights, wellbeing and future central to every decision of government.

If you are interested in this campaign and want to get involved, or would like to share your thoughts and ideas to inform our work, please register for this Forum - we would be delighted to welcome you to CiNI and hear your views.

Email [email protected] to register.

Image: Promotional image for Children's Policy Forum showing an invitation with the date, time and topic of the forum.

22/08/2026

We are delighted to be at the Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council Family Fun Day at Portadown People's Park today, with representation from both our Parentline NI & CYPSP Southern Area Locality Development Teams. 🎡🥳

Great community engagement taking place and lots of FREE activities available for children, young people & families living in the area! 🤗

More community events to come too... (See the flyers in the photo.)

18/08/2026

August Issue of CiNI CONNECT incoming! 📨

Members are invited to submit flyers, posters and announcements to be included in our monthly newsletter.

📆 Next Issue Date: Friday 28th August
⏰ FREE Member Advertising Deadline: Tuesday 25th August
✉️ E-mail: [email protected]

13/08/2026

International overdose awareness day event, Friday 28th August, Belfast City Hall.

The event will provide an opportunity to come together to reflect, and support individuals, families and communities. It’s also an opportunity to recognise the great work of so many who are working daily to improve people’s lives.

Find out more and book here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-overdose-awareness-event-tickets-1992345651476

07/08/2026

Places available 🎓

This one-day workshop offers caring professionals an opportunity to assess and address the impact of their work on their emotional wellbeing. This introduction is an overview of compassion fatigue, burnout, and vicarious trauma and offers opportunities to explore strategies to minimise the risk of personal impact when supporting those who experience trauma.

Visit our website for further information and to book this course https://buff.ly/EsqJ9Ux

Image description - promotional image for training course listing course details and showing an image of what seems to be a caring professional in conversation with a teenager.

05/08/2026

New workshop from Parentline NI 🎒

31/07/2026

Together for Families – online information sessions

The Together for Families team are hosting a number of information sessions for organisations interested in applying for funding to deliver enhanced family support services as part of Together for Families.

These sessions are aimed at Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations with extensive experience of supporting families in NI who have complex needs.

Online sessions will be followed by further in-person market engagement sessions.

Further information below 👇

ℹ️ The Together for Families Team is hosting online information sessions on funding applications.

👪 They are aimed at Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise orgs with experience of supporting families in NI with complex needs.

🔗 Find out more: health-ni.gov.uk/publications/together-families-information-sessions-webinar

30/07/2026

Parentline NI is having a fantastic morning at Ashton’s Family Information and Funday - north Belfast.

Bringing together families and sharing smiles!

Thanks to our Parent Support Officer Kate who is hosting our PLNI stall 🫶

Ashton Community Trust

29/07/2026

⏰ Last chance for massage and yoga in 2026!

If you've been thinking about becoming a Baby Massage or Baby Yoga Instructor, now is the time to book.

Delivered in partnership with Settled Petals, these are the final instructor training courses of 2026, and new dates won't be available until 2027.

⚠️Baby Massage Instructor Training starts next week, making this your last opportunity to secure a place.

Both courses are accredited by FEDANT and successful graduates are eligible to join their register on completing the course (optional). Students will become Certified Baby Yoga / Massage Instructors on completion of the course and on completion of relevant assignments.

Course dates:
Baby Massage: 6–7 August 2026 (starts next week)
Baby Yoga: 1–2 October 2026

Save when you book both together – discounted rates available when both courses are booked together.

Whether you're looking to expand your services or begin a new professional journey supporting families, don't miss your final opportunity to train this year.

Book Baby Massage: https://buff.ly/5i8kmE7
Book Baby Yoga: https://buff.ly/6jxpg1o

Image description: promotional image for baby massage and baby yoga instructor training courses.

29/07/2026

New on our website 📢

CiNI's Chief Executive, Natalie Whelehan, shares her reflections on the inaugural meeting of the new All-Party Group (APG) on Children and Young People.

MLAs and Members heard directly from senior Department of Health officials about Together for Families, an ambitious programme of investment and reform to strengthen family support across Northern Ireland.

For organisations across the children's sector, this wasn't simply a policy discussion - it was an opportunity to help shape how this important programme is delivered.

Read the full blog here 👉 https://buff.ly/sIyIvpy

Keep up to date with the the All Party Group 👉 https://buff.ly/vsmMhvm