Scope Articles

Tough times can bring out the best in people

25 Jan 2023

Two new pieces of research lay out two sides of the cost-of-living crisis: poor mental health, and communities rising to meet the problems we all face.

Poverty isn’t just for Christmas

It's cold (photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash)

18 Jan 2023

Distribution of the £600 home energy payment has begun. However, for some older people in Northern Ireland, huge challenges remain as they struggle both with the cost of living and the risk of loneliness.

Eating disorders in Northern Ireland: a problem of unknown scale

16 Dec 2022

Eating disorders can devastate lives – but, here in NI, treatment services are not comprehensive and we simply don’t know how many people need help.

The link between loneliness and caring

30 Nov 2022

In Northern Ireland, carers are over four times more likely to be chronically lonely than people in general. Loneliness can be devastating - carers need more support.

Schools are vital, but we can all help increase children’s physical activity

9 Nov 2022

A new report from the Education and Training Inspectorate found that most schools are falling short of targets for PE. That needs to change, along with many other things, to halt the decline in kids’ physical play.

An extra £420m on benefits would be money well spent

Plans to boost benefits would help with issues raised by a new Save the Children NI report

27 Oct 2022

An independent panel has recommended that Stormont bolsters social security. This advice is in line with the third sector’s consensus – including recent reports from Save the Children and Parenting NI.

Our towns and cities can be whatever we want them to be

Commercial Court, just off Hill Street, in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter (photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash)

24 Aug 2022

Northern Ireland’s urban spaces are designed to suit cars. We could tinker with this – or transform it entirely.

Food banks are charities that don’t want to exist

The front page of last week's Newtonards Chronicle

4 Aug 2022

Demand for food banks is soaring but, as the cost of living increases, people are less able to donate. However, helping food banks does not fix any fundamental problems – something the Trussell Trust is determined to make clear.

The cost of living is creating a poverty sinkhole

27 Jul 2022

A new report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows that, while poverty in general has waxed and waned over the past 20 years, the number of people and families living in destitution has increased significantly.

Youth justice: on the cusp of modernity?

18 Jul 2022

NI is behind the times when it comes to children and the justice system. Plans for change have been announced – and not before time – but still need to be realised.

The fundamental weaknesses of any UBI pilot scheme

Devolved governments have the ability to make bold choices - but they have little room for error (photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash)

5 Jul 2022

The Welsh Government has announced a trial of universal basic income. That’s what they’re calling it, anyway. It’s a bold move by a devolved government and Stormont should pay attention. However, some issues remain.

We urgently need political leadership if we are to reduce or prevent homelessness

30 Jun 2022

Following deaths of six people who were sleeping on the streets of Belfast over just two weeks, Homeless Connect CEO Nicola McCrudden writes for Scope about how we can best address the complex set of issues that can lead to such tragedies.

Good mental health starts in early years

21 Apr 2022

If interventions are better early rather than late, then perhaps it makes sense to make them as soon as possible.

Pre-election health check

24 Mar 2022

Healthcare in NI is on its knees. Restructuring the system and reducing massive waiting lists are key electoral issues. But how are people doing in general?

Children with additional needs struggle to find a place to play

17 Mar 2022

All children should be able to use play parks. However, new research shows that many children with additional needs still struggle to find places that allow them to pursue this fundamental part of childhood.

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