NEWS

A total of £259,091 has been awarded to ten community and voluntary sector projects that provide vital support for victims of domestic and sexual abuse across Northern Ireland. The funding, jointly provided by the Departments of Justice and Health under the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Small Grant Scheme, will enable organisations to deliver trauma-informed counselling, crisis intervention, and specialist legal advice to victims and survivors. Announcing the funding, Justice Min

Daniel Hunter at work with Stena Line The journey towards a job you love is not always smooth sailing – but with the right direction and support, it’s possible to reach your destination. That’s exactly what happened for Daniel Hunter from Carrickfergus, who has proudly worked with Stena Line since 2022 after years of determination and perseverance. Daniel’s story began over a decade ago when he was first referred to the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s Day Opportuniti

Mayor and Mayoress of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford and Allison Minford, pictured with Margaret Cowie Carrickfergus Museum came alive with colour and creativity as it hosted Margaret’s Later Life Hobby Exhibition and a special Paint with Numbers Workshop on Saturday 25 October, celebrating wellbeing, connection, and lifelong learning as part of Positive Ageing Month. The exhibition showcased a stunning collection of paintings by Margaret Cowie , whose passio

Domestic abuse survivor, Iwona Giza A 28-year-old doctor from Northern Ireland has bravely waived her right to anonymity to speak publicly about the horrific abuse she suffered at the hands of her former partner — and to encourage other victims to seek help. Iwona Giza, a qualified medical doctor , says she has chosen to share her story as Domestic Abuse Awareness Month draws to a close, hoping that others living in fear will find the strength to come forward. On 23 October 2

Asda has announced the return of its popular £1 ‘Winter Warmer’ café meal deal, designed to support people aged 60 and over through the colder months as many continue to face financial pressures. From 1st November until the end of February, anyone aged 60 or above can enjoy a bowl of soup, a bread roll, and unlimited tea or coffee for just £1 at any of Asda’s 212 cafés across the UK. Diners can choose between two soup flavours — Tomato or Chicken — offering a comforting and a

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt with staff at Kilrea Dental Surgery. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has paid tribute to the team at Kilrea Dental Surgery for their crucial role in improving access to Health Service dental care through the Dental Access Scheme (DAS). During a visit to the practice, which joined the scheme in 2024 and has since treated 3,817 patients, the Minister was joined by Chief Dental Officer Caroline Lappin to meet with practice owner Mr Charlie Kielt and his

Antrim Area Hospital Emergency Department The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has warned that it may be “difficult to provide all services whilst managing the expected increase in demand for unscheduled or critical care” as it launches its 2025/26 Winter Plan. Outlining the plan to board members during a meeting at Antrim Hospital on Thursday, Gillian Traub, Director of Operations , acknowledged that staff are “very anxious” about the coming months. She said planning

PSNI Superintendent Finola Dornan and NIFRS Station Commander Graham Parker . As Halloween approaches, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) have joined forces to remind the public that fireworks are not toys — and misuse can lead to serious injuries, criminal charges, or worse. The annual safety campaign highlights the importance of celebrating responsibly during one of the busiest times of year for emergency service

CGI: Aerial overview of proposed new Birch Hill mental health facility at Antrim Area Hospital Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has been urged to come up with the finance needed for the new £143 million Birch Hill mental health facility at Bush Road in Antrim. The planned development has reached a standstill without confirmation of capital funding. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust had been due to receive the building for commissioning on 31 December 2029, which already r

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued an Urgent Safety Alert warning parents and caregivers to stop using baby self-feeding products immediately and dispose of them safely, citing a serious risk of choking and aspiration pneumonia. Businesses have also been ordered to remove all such products from sale as they cannot meet safety requirements under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Baby self-feeding products are designed to allow infants to b

Antrim Area Hospital Emergency Department The Department of Health (DoH) has published new Emergency Care Waiting Time Statistics for July to September 2025, showing that while overall attendances at emergency departments (EDs) in Northern Ireland increased slightly, long waits remain a significant challenge. According to the quarterly statistical bulletin, 203,230 people attended emergency departments across Northern Ireland during the three-month period — a 2.5% rise on the

Northern Regional College Staff and Level 3 Creative Media Practice students at the showcase of their short film Love Later Life. Northern Regional College’s Creative Media students have teamed up with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to produce a moving short film that celebrates the power of positive ageing. The film, titled Love Later Life, was officially launched on Tuesday 30 September, showcasing the talents of the College’s Level 3 Creative Media Practice students.

A Ballymena-based mental health charity that has supported nearly 1,500 people in crisis in recent years has warned that it may be forced to close within months unless sustainable government funding is secured. Turning Point NI, a community crisis intervention and mental health hub founded in 2015 within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT), plays a critical role in supporting individuals experiencing mental health crises across Mid and East Antrim. Its mission i

As the clocks prepare to go back and daylight hours shorten, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has launched a new road safety campaign urging everyone to make themselves more visible on Northern Ireland’s roads. The ‘Be Bold. Be Seen’ initiative was unveiled by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, who highlighted the dangers faced by pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users during the darker winter months. The campaign encourages people to wear bright, bo

North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday. North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston has called for urgent departmental funding to support a Ballymena-based crisis intervention charity, warning that the collapse of Extern’s community crisis intervention service in the north-west could soon be repeated elsewhere. Speaking during Assembly proceedings on Tuesday (October 14), Mr Gaston said the closure of Extern’s service “will leave a g

North Antrim MLA Paul Frew speaking in the Assembly earlier this week. North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has announced overwhelming public support for his proposed Individual Duty of Candour Bill, which seeks to strengthen transparency and accountability within Northern Ireland’s healthcare system. Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday, 14 October, Mr Frew confirmed that 94% of respondents to his 14-week public consultation backed the proposal. “I place on record my a

Three people were taken to hospital on Friday evening after carbon monoxide was detected at a property in Kilrea, County Londonderry. The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it received a call at 7.24pm on Friday, 17 October 2025, following reports of people feeling unwell at a house on Kurin Road. A NIFRS spokesperson said: “Following an initial call at 1924hrs on Friday 17th October 2025, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service attended reports of persons fe

Officers conducting a vehicle checkpoint during this week's dedicated policing operation. Police have arrested 32 people during a coordinated operation aimed at tackling violence against women and girls and bringing offenders to justice across Northern Ireland. The proactive policing initiative, carried out on Thursday 16th October, was led by Superintendent Sinead McIldowney and involved collaboration across Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Local Policing Teams and District Sup

As Northern Ireland prepares for another challenging winter, the Department of Health has published its 2025–26 Winter Preparedness Plan, setting out a comprehensive strategy to protect vital health and social care services and support staff across the system. The plan, described as “an overarching framework for regional and local action,” identifies ten priority areas designed to maintain patient safety, improve hospital flow, and strengthen workforce resilience through the

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has hailed “real and meaningful change” across Northern Ireland’s health service, as new figures show major progress in cutting some of the longest waiting times for care under the Department of Health’s Reset Plan. Since April 2025, more than 100,000 red flag or time-critical patients have been seen, diagnosed, or treated across Health and Social Care Trusts (HSC), including through partnerships with the independent sector. The Department expect