Siobhán is currently carrying out focus groups with women on the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy for Northern Ireland. This research work will be used to formulate the Consortium’s response to this consultation and to help raise awareness about what is in the draft Strategy. Siobhán is working with a number of other organisations in the Community […]
Victims Support Programme 2026-28 Details The Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) is opening the Victims Support Programme 2026-28, aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of victims and survivors of the Troubles/conflict. Funding is available for community and voluntary organisations to deliver services such as Psychological/Talking Therapies, Complementary Therapies, Social Support, and Welfare Support. Information […]
The Women’s Regional Consortium has responded to the Department for Communities (DfC) Budget 2025–26 Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA), highlighting the disproportionate impact of budget cuts on women, particularly those in disadvantaged and rural areas. Representing seven key women’s sector organisations across Northern Ireland, the Consortium’s submission underscores the urgent need for gender-sensitive budgeting and sustained […]
Campaigns: Guarantee our Essentials Siobhán is part of a campaign from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Trussell Trust 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. You can read […]
There has been much anticipation about an Anti-Poverty Strategy for Northern Ireland and a draft Strategy is now out for consultation. This is important given rising poverty levels in Northern Ireland and the need for a long-term plan to address the issues driving poverty. There have been concerns about the draft Strategy reported in the […]
This document details the Minister for Communities’ initial Budget 2025-26 decisions and how they will impact on the Department’s ability to deliver public services. Siobhán has completed work on a draft response to this consultation and has sent it to Consortium members for comment. If you have any comments please contact Siobhán as soon as […]
Siobhán Harding, policy worker from Women’s Support Network, has carried out a range of activity with regards to gathering women’s views and experiences, lobbying on issues relevant to women and carrying out policy work over the last couple of months as follows: Speaking at the launch of the Women’s Spaces Pillars for Peace Toolkit launches […]
Poverty in Northern Ireland has been a significant issue for the last 20 years, and the lack of an Anti-poverty Strategy has left us with an ever-widening gap to help those most in need. In June 2025 the Executive Office launched their proposed Anti-poverty Strategy and to say it was disappointing would be an understatement. […]
FWIN is looking for passionate, strategic, and community-minded people to join our Management Committee.This is an exciting opportunity to be part of shaping our work, deepening our impact, and ensuring women’s voices remain at the heart of everything we do We’re especially keen to welcome those with experience in the community & voluntary sector, an understanding […]
Earlier this summer, WOMEN’STEC hosted its annual Breakfast of Champions — a flagship event that brings together employers, partners, and supporters from across the industry who are committed to championing women and girls in skilled careers. The morning gathered a fantastic mix of our #NotJustForBoysChampions and other key stakeholders for an inspiring session filled with […]
