Campaigns: Guarantee our Essentials Siobhán is part of a campaign from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Trussell calling for an Essentials Guarantee within Universal Credit. The Essentials Guarantee would embed in the social security system a principle that at a minimum Universal Credit should protect people from going without essentials. Siobhán has been working as […]
The Department of Education are consulting on the Socially Disadvantaged Circumstances (SDC) Criterion. The SDC criterion was first introduced to prioritise access to pre-school places for those children likely to benefit from it most. The Minister of Education has since effectively removed this prioritisation. This consultation is seeking views on two options relating to the […]
The Department of Justice is consulting on proposed reforms to the use of good character references at sentencing in criminal proceedings. The law currently requires a court when determining a person’s sentence for a criminal offence, to consider mitigating factors, which can include evidence of the accused’s good character. This can take the form of […]
The Department for Communities has launched a consultation on changes proposed to the Discretionary Support Scheme. Discretionary Support provides support to people facing extreme, exceptional or crisis situations and is an important area of support for many low-income women. Siobhán will be making a response to this consultation and has organised a focus group to […]
The latest Consortium research paper ‘Mental Health Matters for Women’ has been published and is available on the Consortium’s website. The full report contains a wealth of evidence from women on the contributory factors to their poor mental health, the impact of poor mental health on their lives and the supports they need and are […]
On the 28th of October, the Chancellor presented the Autumn Statement, the second of this multi-year budget cycle. There was a lot of talk about ‘breathing space’ for people struggling with the cost of living and an intent to ‘tackle the big challenges’ that this government is presented with. Some of the announcements made last […]
Fears of crushing blow to children living in poverty as Bill to address ‘holiday hunger’ reaches Final Stage A Private Members Bill sponsored by Danny Baker MLA which aims to address the serious issue of ‘holiday hunger’ experienced by many children in low-income families during holiday periods is scheduled to reach its Final Stage on […]
Grant making charity Rosa is offering grants of up to £10,000 through its Voices from the Frontline Fund. Grants support campaigning and influencing work which enables women and girls to use their voices to achieve change. The funding aims to strengthen the campaigning and advocacy of women’s and girls’ organisations to influence power holders in […]
NIRWN was delighted to bring rural women together at The Gables, Dungannon, for a wonderful morning of connection, inspiration and wellbeing to celebrate International Day of Rural Women. International Day of Rural Women is a dedicated day in the year; set by the United Nations in recognition that rural women are further away from experiencing […]
NIRWN was delighted to welcome Uachtarán na hEireann, President Catherine Connolly to NIRWN HQ recently. President Connolly took the time to listen to our members who spoke with such passion, honesty and generosity about their lives, their work and their communities. She heard about the issues that matter to them – sometimes difficult issues, sometimes […]
