Helping young people realise their potential

Barnardo’s NI Newtownabbey Family Connections recently hosted a meeting of local stakeholders from education, health and the community sector with a view to improving education and wellbeing outcomes for children and young people in the Newtownabbey area through an area based plan based on collaboration and investment.

The event was organised in response to the Inequalities in Education report recently published by the Equalities Commission NI, which highlighted under-achievement in disadvantaged areas and in particular among Protestant working class boys.

In attendance were representatives from local primary and post-primary schools, local churches, community organisations such as Monkstown Village Initiatives and Monkstown Boxing Club, Open University, Stranmillis University College, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership, the Education Authority and the Public Health Agency.

Manager of Barnardo’s Newtownabbey Family Connections Project, Claire Humphrey said: “We have been working in the area for six years connecting children, schools and communities and as a result we have seen improvements in parenting skills, stronger and more stable families and an increased involvement of parents in their children’s learning and school life. We organised this event because we want to support a wider engagement of local people, community organisations, churches and statutory services and encourage further collaboration to promote achievement and wellbeing for local children and young people.”