NEWS

Chickenpox vaccination is to be added to Northern Ireland’s childhood immunisation programme from January, offering thousands of children protection each year against an illness that, while often considered mild, can lead to serious and even life-threatening complications. The Public Health Agency (PHA) confirmed the move will mark the first time children in Northern Ireland can receive free protection against chickenpox through the routine childhood vaccination schedule. Hea

Severe winter weather has placed intense pressure on road services across North Antrim, with local MLAs raising concerns over grit shortages, untreated roads and the Department for Infrastructure’s preparedness following heavy snowfall. Large parts of rural North Antrim have been affected by snowfall of between six and eight inches over the past two days, leaving some roads difficult to access and heightening safety concerns for residents, commuters and emergency services. TU

A yellow weather warning for ice has been issued for Northern Ireland, with hazardous conditions expected to develop overnight as temperatures fall and wintry showers move across the region. The warning is in force between 6:00pm on Tuesday 6 January 2026 and 11:00am on Wednesday 7 January 2026, with icy patches likely to form on untreated surfaces, increasing the risk of travel disruption. Forecasters say that after a day that has been less cold than recent days, conditions

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) is urging households to make fire safety a year-round habit rather than a short-lived New Year’s resolution, as new figures highlight the continued risk of accidental house fires during the winter months. The appeal follows a series of tragic house fires in December and comes as data shows winter remains one of the most dangerous times of year for accidental dwelling fires, with cooking, electricity and smoking materials the lead

As cold weather warnings are issued by the Met Office across Northern Ireland, Dogs Trust Ballymena has issued a stark warning to dog owners, urging them to keep their pets well away from frozen lakes, ponds and waterways. While many dogs enjoy swimming, the charity warns that familiar splash spots can become extremely dangerous during freezing conditions. Ice may appear solid, but in most cases it is not strong enough to support a dog’s weight. If it breaks, dogs can plunge

Parents of around 3,000 children across Northern Ireland have joined forces to delay giving their children smartphones until at least the end of Year 10, amid growing concerns about the impact of early smartphone use on mental health, wellbeing and childhood development. The families are among a rapidly growing number signing up to the Smartphone Free Childhood Parent Pact, a digital tool launched by the grassroots movement Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) , which now counts a

The UK’s first children and young people’s bereavement charity, Winston’s Wish , has launched a new text-based support service designed to make grief support more accessible to young people who may struggle to speak about their feelings out loud. The new service will allow bereaved young people aged 13 to 25 to access specialist support through WhatsApp or SMS, offering what the charity describes as “grief support in your pocket”. Available weekdays from 3pm to 8pm , excludi

Marks & Spencer Food has unveiled a new “Nutrient Dense” range aimed at tackling widespread nutrient deficiencies in the UK, as figures show 96 per cent of the population are failing to meet the recommended daily intake of fibre. Launching in M&S Foodhalls from 5 January 2026, the Nutrient Dense range brings together 20 products spanning salads, meals, snacks, drinks and bakery items, all designed to deliver high levels of fibre, vitamins and minerals without excessive calori

Ballymena Runners have announced the return of their popular Cosy Sofa programme for 2026, offering local people the chance to take their first steps into running in a friendly, supportive and community-focused environment. The eight-week programme will run from Tuesday 6 January to Tuesday 3 March 2026 , with weekly sessions beginning at 7:00pm in the Sports Zone Hall at Northern Regional College (NRC), Ballymena. Parking will be available at the Ballymena Showgrounds, acces

L-R Suzanne Kennedy, Elizabeth Craig and Mandy Corr Members of the Causeway Hospital Partnership Board have praised the success of a community-based model of care that is delivering joined-up, neighbourhood services for people across the Causeway Coast and Glens area. At its latest meeting, the Board received an update on the work of the Causeway multidisciplinary team (MDT), a partnership initiative jointly run by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and the Causeway GP

Farmers’ Choir members who participated in the Life Beyond Service. The past year has proved to be both memorable and deeply fulfilling for the Farmers’ Choir, as its 55 members came together through music, friendship and a shared commitment to supporting rural communities across Northern Ireland. Under the leadership of Musical Director Barkley Thompson, the choir enjoyed a packed programme of concerts, community events and media appearances, reinforcing its role as an impor

Stephen Fillis with his younger brother Jonathan. For many families, navigating adulthood can be challenging. For those supporting a loved one with a learning disability, those challenges are often accompanied by uncertainty, concern and difficult questions about the future. A powerful personal account from Coleraine is now shining a light on how the right support can transform not just one life, but an entire family. Stephen Fillis has shared his family’s journey as part of

Members of Alliance Amateur Swim club, winners of the £1000 Hafner’s Sports Grant. Alliance Amateur Swim Club has been awarded £1,000 through the Hafner’s Sausages Sports Fund 2025, as part of a £5,000 initiative supporting grassroots sport across Northern Ireland. The Antrim-based club is one of five local organisations to receive the funding, alongside North Down Softball Club in Bangor, St Patrick’s Football Club in Castlederg, Redmond O’Hanlon’s GAC in Poyntzpass , and E

People across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to make use of the Health and Social Care (HSC) App Library this winter, with more than 1,000 endorsed health apps available to support physical and mental wellbeing. The appeal comes as winter places additional pressures on individuals, families and health services, with colder weather, shorter days and increased feelings of loneliness and stress affecting many people, particularly during the festive period. The HSC App Lib

Smokers across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to make quitting smoking their New Year’s resolution, as the Public Health Agency (PHA) highlights a wide range of free stop smoking support services available to help people quit for good. The PHA is urging those who smoke to take advantage of the fresh start offered by the beginning of a new year, describing quitting smoking as one of the most positive steps people can take to improve their health and protect those around

Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Frances Burton (DUP) , has revealed she is having sleepless nights over the plight of three elderly residents she knows well who are in desperate need of home care. The Clogher Valley DEA representative made the comments at the Development Committee meeting of Mid Ulster District Council on December 3, where she argued that recent grant funding from the Department for Communities (DfC) should, at least in part, be used to train

As the festive season draws to a close, residents in Ballymena and across Northern Ireland are being advised to prepare for a sharp drop in temperatures and the possibility of wintry weather in the coming days. According to the latest forecasts from the UK Met Office, the week from Monday 29 December 2025 to Monday 5 January 2026 will bring predominantly cold and dry conditions at first, transitioning to more unsettled patterns with a risk of snow toward the latter part of th

Staff, community partners, service users and family members pictured at a celebration event marking 20 years of Day Opportunities in the Northern Trust. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s Adult Community Learning Disability Team (ACLDT) is marking two decades of shared progress, partnership and positive change through its Day Opportunities service — a milestone that reflects how support for adults with learning disabilities has evolved to place choice, independence a

Ring camera footage as the blaze took hold at the rear of the Nichols’ family home in Antrim A County Antrim family have shared a stark warning about fire safety after a terrifying early-hours blaze on Boxing Day that could have destroyed their home — and potentially cost lives — had circumstances been even slightly different. Graeme and Victoria Nichols, who live in the Antrim area with their children, were woken in the early hours of Boxing Day morning to find flames engulf

Some of the Farm Families Health Checks Team at Balmoral Show earlier this year. Farm Families Health Checks will return to livestock marts across Northern Ireland this January, continuing its mission to bring vital healthcare directly to farming families following a year of significant impact and national recognition. As 2025 draws to a close, the team has highlighted its continued commitment to improving health and wellbeing across rural and farming communities. The award-w