Families in Lisburn are set to benefit from a major new partnership programme designed to provide earlier, more co-ordinated support for children and families.

The Greater Lisburn Family Support Hub is among the local services set to benefit through Together for Families (TfF).

The programme brings together The National Lottery Community Fund, the Department of Health, Health and Social Care Trusts and the voluntary and community sector to make it easier for families to access practical support earlier and closer to home.

The initiative is supported by a £59.2 million investment, with £30 million from The National Lottery Community Fund and £29.2 million from the Northern Ireland Public Sector Transformation Fund, provided by the UK Government.

At the launch are . L-R: Paul Sweeney, Northern Ireland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund; Naomi Long MLA Minister of Justice; Kate Beggs, Northern Ireland Director, The National Lottery Community Fund; Robbie Butler MLA Minister of Health; Jacinta Linden, Together for Families Co-Director; Eilis McDaniel, Director of Social Care Reform, Department of Health; Dame Julia Cleverdon, Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund, Emma Little-Pengelly MLA, deputy First Minister; Michelle O’Neill MLA, First Minister; Sarah Owen MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Pic credit: National Lottery Community Fund

placeholder image — At the launch are . L-R: Paul Sweeney, Northern Ireland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund; Naomi Long MLA Minister of Justice; Kate Beggs, Northern Ireland Director, The National Lottery Community Fund; Robbie Butler MLA Minister of Health; Jacinta Linden, Together for Families Co-Director; Eilis McDaniel, Director of Social Care Reform, Department of Health; Dame Julia Cleverdon, Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund, Emma Little-Pengelly MLA, deputy First Minister; Michelle O’Neill MLA, First Minister; Sarah Owen MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Pic credit: National Lottery Community Fund

Speaking at the launch, Health Minister Robbie Butler and Lagan Valley MLA said: “I commend and warmly welcome this significant investment provided by both The National Lottery Community Fund and the Public Sector Transformation Fund.

“At a time when children’s services are under increasing pressure, this is a huge opportunity to improve the life chances of children and families across Northern Ireland, with the key aim of keeping families safely together, rather than apart.

“Together for Families reflects a shared determination to work differently, bringing partners together across the system, both the statutory and voluntary and community sector, with a clear focus on delivering better outcomes for children and families.

"We are at the start of this journey, but we can, and must, deliver for the children across Northern Ireland who need this support. I am committed to doing just that.

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“I would encourage any voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations with extensive experience of supporting families with complex needs to consider applying for funding under this scheme, which is one of four key elements of the wider Together for Families project.”

Northern Ireland Director of The National Lottery Community Fund, Kate Beggs, added: “This opportunity has the potential to deliver real, meaningful change where it is needed most, transforming support for families now while strengthening the wider system for the long term.

"Families across Northern Ireland will be able to get the right support earlier before the challenges they face reach breaking point."