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A courtyard area at St Luke’s hospital in Armagh is undergoing a transformation thanks to service users, carers and staff from the Community Addiction service who have teamed up with the ARC horticultural project for people with learning disabilities. The project has been developed through ‘SoHope’ (Southern Hope) which is a group of staff and […]

The Southern Trust’s elective caesarean section maternity team is celebrating its first birthday. Set up to ensure that planned caesarean sections could safely continue throughout the pandemic, the team of obstetricians, anaesthetists, midwives, nurses  and maternity support workers from both Craigavon and Daisy Hill came together to run the service from the maternity theatre at […]

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has welcomed the Executive’s approval to her request for amendments to existing Universal Credit (UC) regulations which pave the way for upfront childcare costs. The move is part of the Minister’s ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic which includes a range of labour market interventions designed to help remove barriers to […]

Testing is a crucial element in the pandemic response and will aid the reopening of Northern Ireland. Workforce testing is available to any organisation with more than 10 employees or volunteers. There are also a range of ways for smaller organisations or individuals to access testing, each of which can help keep the economy, education […]

Economy Minister Diane Dodds has launched a final call for projects to apply for funding under the Northern Ireland European Social Fund (NI ESF) programme. The ESF is designed to combat poverty and enhance social inclusion. It supports participants to progress into further education, training and ultimately employment through funding organisations to deliver programmes for […]

At the Ballymurphy Massacre hearing at the Good Friday Agreement Committee Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín TD has proposed that the Committee seeks legal advice in relation to what options exist in International Law for the Irish Government to force Britain to adhere to the international agreements that they have signed such as the Stormont House […]

Slieve Gullion area Sinn Féin Councillor, Oonagh Magennis, has welcomed confirmation that the EU Commission is supportive of the north being included in the application for Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for Irish grass-fed beef.  The Councillor explained,  “Sinn Féin has consistently lobbied for an all-island approach to this application.  My colleagues Declan McAleer MLA and […]

Newry Armagh MLA Liz Kimmins has made a call for the Health Minister to urgently work to secure a replacement Cross Border Health Directive scheme. Since Brexit on the 31st December 2020, the North of Ireland’s has lost access to an important healthcare scheme. Speaking in relation to the issue, Liz said, “The Cross Border […]

Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan has called on the Infrastructure Minister to make funding available to upgrade and provide more chargepoints for the growing number of electric vehicle users on our roads.  Speaking in the Assembly the Newry Armagh MLA said: “The number of electric vehicles using our roads is rising every year as people move towards […]

Local residents can now play their part in the design and creation of a new community garden at Kinnego Bushcraft Centre – thanks to an exciting new project led by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough (ABC) Council. Funded by ABC Council’s PEACE IV initiative, the Permaculture and Community Growing Project starts on Wednesday 9 […]

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough (ABC) Council has launched a new programme designed to equip local people with the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience to support development of independent and sustainable lifestyles. Funded by ABC Council’s PEACE IV initiative, the Life Camp Trainee Programme commences on Thursday 10 June 2021 and is open to […]

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Laura Devlin has planted oak trees in forest parks located within each of the seven District Electoral Areas (DEAs). The trees signify strength, hope and community resilience in light of the challenges residents faced and continue to face with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chairperson was supported by […]