Today Women’s Centre Derry hosted an Information session on Childcare costs as Northern Ireland still does not have a fully developed childcare strategy that enables women to access affordable and reliable childcare. This remains the first and most significant barrier facing many women who wish to return to work. Without childcare, re-entering the labour market […]
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 […]
Siobhán has worked with Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick, Ulster University, Becca Bor, NI Anti-Poverty Network and Jude Hill from Save the Children NI to produce a Toolkit to encourage engagement with the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy which is currently out for consultation (closing on 19th September). On behalf of the Women’s Regional Consortium, Siobhán has used the […]
The Big Lunch is an event that brings together communities over food, laughter, and good conversation. From side salads to cakes and cookies, everyone who attended helped make the day a huge success. WOMEN’STEC were blown away by the generosity and enthusiasm of everyone who came. Some people brought food to share; others helped clean […]
The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Committee for the Executive Office is beginning its work on scrutinising the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill. The Bill will see the establishment of a formal Inquiry into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, and Workhouses in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995. […]
Campaigns: Guarantee our Essentials The Women’s Regional Consortium 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. […]
This consultation detailed 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 a detailed response to this consultation highlighting the greater likelihood for women to live in poverty and to need to be able to access the services provided by […]
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 […]
A major Conference discussing what is needed to address poverty levels in Northern Ireland and to reject what is contained in the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy was held in the Dunadry Hotel on 2nd September. Siobhán worked with Trussell, Barnardos NI, the NI Anti-Poverty Network and a range of other organisations to organise this Conference. Rachel […]
Women’s Support Network Policy Worker, Siobhán Harding is working with Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick, Ulster University, Becca Bor, NI Anti-Poverty Network and Jude Hill from Save the Children NI to encourage engagement with the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy which is currently out for consultation (closing on 19th September). On behalf of the Women’s Regional Consortium, Siobhán has […]
