Carer’s Empowerment Network

20/06/2026

"It felt like nobody really knew what to do and they were making it up as they went."

Zoe lived with unexplained symptoms for 10 years before she got her diagnosis of fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). This FSHD awareness day, she's shared her story 🧡

What started as struggling to raise her arms in fitness classes steadily turned into consistent pain in her neck and back, making work difficult.

"One physiotherapist would ask me to raise my arms every week, despite the fact I told him it was painful and something I physically couldn't do properly.

"The turning point came when I had nerve conduction tests and met a neurophysiologist. He took one look at my smile and immediately suspected FSHD.

"I remember him saying, “You’ve been on the wrong path this whole time.”

"I finally received my diagnosis in November 2024. It was a real mix of emotions having waited so long to know what was happening to my body.

"Before my diagnosis, I’d never heard of FSHD, and to this day I’ve never met anyone with my condition. I want to change that.

"This year, I’m organising a community picnic in a local park in Barnet to raise awareness of the condition and hopefully bring people together."

Read more: https://loom.ly/eyhRyIo

19/06/2026

🗣️ Parents should not need to take legal action to get the support that their child needs to thrive, says Record View.

16/06/2026

A woman who was paralysed in a gymnastics accident when she was a teenager and went on to set up a first-of-its-kind neuro-exercise gym in Londonderry has been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours list.

15/06/2026

14/06/2026

12/06/2026

The Health Minister has announced a one-off Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination programme for adolescents in Northern Ireland. The eligible cohorts include:

✅ All of current school year 14 age group

✅ Anyone, up to 25 years of age, who will be attending Higher Education or a Residential Further Education Institution for the first time in Autumn 2026 (including international students).

🔗 Full info in Comments

11/06/2026

Short breaks offer children and young people with disabilities overnight care in a family setting, and give parents/carers a vital break from their daily caring responsibilities.

Our short breaks foster carers come from a wide variety of backgrounds – no specific experience or qualifications are needed.

If you would like to make a positive difference in a child’s life, join our upcoming virtual information session to hear how you can get involved.

Tuesday 16 June
1pm-1.30pm
Join via MS Teams
Meeting ID: 398 443 091 230 221
Passcode: hd9An3qn

Open to all – no registration required.

To find out more about short breaks for children with disabilities, visit https://adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net/foster-care/short-breaks-CWD or call 0800 0720 137.

HSC NI Adoption & Foster Care

09/06/2026

🌟 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 – 𝗘𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮 🌟

A caring, reliable and patient person is being sought to provide support for a young adult woman as part of her evening bedtime routine.

🕖 Monday to Friday, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
⏰ 5 hours per week
💷 £15.15 per hour (Direct Payments)
📍 Ederney area

The role involves providing support with evening and bedtime routines, helping to create a calm, safe and positive environment.

If you are compassionate, dependable and interested in making a positive difference, please get in touch for more information.
📞 07849 272652

Please feel free to share.

09/06/2026

Parents of Tyrone boy hope the community will support the fundraiser to give him the best life possible.