Derry Women

Thanks to @MHC_NI and her team for producing this important report on the state of mental health in Northern Ireland. The findings are stark and underline how the situation is worsening. When will our Executive step up? Read the report at: tinyurl.com/yveskf9b

Such an important topic and important to hear carers voices and experiences. Please do register if you are able to attend any of the sessions next week!

Abusers are increasingly using digital tools to monitor, control and intimidate. Technology-facilitated abuse, including online stalking, tracking and harassment, cause serious fear, harm and distress. For support, call us on 028 9066 6049 or visit belfastwomensaid.org.uk.

POV: your income is £98 a week Universal Credit, but you need to pay for... - £42 on food - £24 on gas and electric bills - £8 on wifi bill - £7 on water bill - £21 on transport - £13 on toiletries and cleaning products - £7 on clothes Could you make this add up? 💔

Without justice systems that work for women, rights remain empty promises. Join us to mark #InternationalWomensDay on 8 March under the theme: 𝙍𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨. 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚. 𝘼𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. For ALL Women and Girls. More ➡️ unwo.men/FZjJ50XWnjf #ForAllWomenAndGirls #IWD2026

The One Stop Shop is back open for 2026! Here are our dates for the first quarter of the year at TWN in East Belfast, you can find out more about this service at belfastwomensaid.org.uk/one-stop-shop/. You can also call us at 028 9066 6049 if you need to talk to us about support.

💡 Understanding Trauma: The 5Fs 💡 These responses are natural survival mechanisms, not choices. They happen without conscious control, and no one “asks” to respond this way. You are not to blame. Your responses were survival.

Another free course for women to help build confidence through practical, fun skill-building! ✨ Numeracy for Everyday Life ✨ A supportive session to help women build confidence with budgeting & practical money skills! 📅 22 Jan 2026 📍 MPDA Community Hub, Ballycraigy 🕤 9:30–11:00 AM 🎁 £20 Tesco voucher for all participants! New to WBBNI? Fill out this form bit.ly/47JToza & register. Already a member? Contact Kim or Pamela today! 🔗 womenbreakingbarriersni.com #WomenBreakingBarriers #NumeracySkills @nirwnnews @UKgovcomms @WRDA_team @ReclaimAgenda @WSN_NI

Domestic abuse: Calls over Christmas period to PSNI increase - BBC News

WARNING! Carers, don't trust your council's info on Carer's Council Tax Discount, more than 1 in 5 councils' online info (Eng & Wal) is wrong. They miss crucial extra eligibility criteria which makes many who are eligible for a 25% or 50% discount think they aren't. This is likely crapness not conspiracy. Staggeringly, my guess is the cause is that most haven't updated their sites since the rules changed in 2013! And gov uk while not incorrect, does not have the full info either, making it worse. Carers Council Tax Discount is for the up to 5m people who care, unpaid, over 35hours a week for someone (not spouse / child under 18) who is eligible. Oft its adult children caring for parents, parents for adult children, or siblings caring FULL STORY & LIST OF COUNCILS HERE: moneysavingexpert.com/news/2026/01/c… My official quote... "Unpaid carers can't trust councils' information about Carers' Council Tax discounts. All Carers who thought they weren't eligible after checking councils' websites should check again (use Carers UK's help pages). If you did miss out due to councils' poor info, ask for a backdated discount to the point of first eligibility, though different councils have different rules. "Thirty-five hours a week of unpaid caring is no small feat. This army of up to five million carers provides a silent and often un-thanked backbone that takes a burden off the NHS and care system – reducing the cost to the state. "While it's often done out of love, that doesn't mean it isn't hard. And while this discount isn't means-tested, many who are caring, unpaid, for at least 35 hours a week, are almost certainly under a great deal of financial stress. So, the idea that they're being misled about £100s a year in discounts from their own councils really sticks in the craw. "This is made worse by the fact the main Gov uk pages about Council Tax don't list the qualifying benefits for the discount – making it harder for taxpayers in England to work out whether they might be eligible. "We are writing to all the councils involved to ask them to urgently update their websites and to ensure their internal policies are compliant. I will also be reporting this information lapse to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. It should work with councils on a clear plan to guarantee that Council Tax information is clear, accurate and accessible.

This is a real issue that food banks are seeing across the country: people are being forced to get into bed because they can't afford to put the heating on. Many of them are in receipt of Universal Credit. It's time for change. Everyone deserves a warm, safe place to call home. 🏠

Just been in to see Sec of State for @DWP @patmcfaddenmp to discuss UC system blocking many from switching bank account (under the switching service) - and how to stop it. While there also raised the hideous cliff edge on Carers Allowance (it should be a taper) and the wrong info on over 1 in 5 councils websites about Carers Council Tax discounts and a few other issues. He listened, so fingers crossed something positive comes of it.

New Year, New You? Our Women’s Wellbeing Course is all about supporting women to build confidence, improve their overall health, and take positive, practical steps towards a calmer, more balanced life. 📞 07729 100065 📧 Amanda.Ferguson@womenstec.org #WomensWellbeing #WOMENSTEC

Many survivors often self-gaslight as they doubt their own internal experiences, deny or minimize their feelings and tell themselves that their reactions are not important or valid. Let's take back our power and shut down these voices, lets validate ourselves 💪

In Derry-Londonderry today for a focus group discussing women and mental health with our Women’s Regional Consortium partners @Foylewomensinfo It’s a miserable day but the welcome is always warm here!

You don’t have to carry it all alone. Healing from trauma can feel heavy, but you deserve support, safety, and care along the way. Reaching out for help doesn’t make you weak - it’s an act of strength.

There’s REAL power in women’s voices. @UlsterUni invite women in NI to share work experiences & barriers in a 90-min interview (online/in person), plus receive a £20 voucher as a thank you!. Nov 2025–Jan 2026. Sign up here: bit.ly/4hqPNsK or email EPICFutures@ulster.ac.uk #WomenBreakingBarriers #EPICFuturesNI @ReclaimAgenda @WSN_NI @nirwnnews @WRDA_team

❗ More children are being pushed to food banks each day because of the two-child limit. No child should know what a food bank is, let alone need one. Ask your MP to write to the Chancellor to remove the two-child limit now 👉 bit.ly/4ovyIAj

Shocking Statistics 😡

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY Please register to attend this @AdviceNI #LivingWageNI event at @nicva here ... eventbrite.co.uk/e/living-wage-… @Mary_BMac @Economy_NI @CArchibald_SF @LivingWageUK #AntiPovertyStrategyGroup #LivingWageWeek