Scope Articles

Some good news, at last

29 Mar 2019

There has been one piece of very good news for Northern Ireland in an otherwise gloomy, Brexit dominated week.

Belfast hosts a different peoples' vote

22 Mar 2019

A new democratic movement is gaining traction in Northern Ireland. From Rathlin Island to Newry and the Clogher Valley local people are deciding for themselves how money in their communities should be spent.

Back to the drawing board for sustainable transport to school

Chris Hazzard MLA, then Minister for Infrastructure, with pupils from St Colmcille's Primary School in Downpatrick on Bike to School Day in June 2016

21 Mar 2019

Efforts are underway to change transport habits in Northern Ireland – but they might not be working. Scope looks at the annual school transport figures.

Fighting cancer together, why we need a strategy

15 Mar 2019

The Department of Health has announced that it is to commission a new cancer strategy for Northern Ireland.

The public view of charities: could do better

14 Mar 2019

The links between trust in charities and the level of donations are not clear cut – but they are there. Fostering goodwill is vital for fundraising and generating other support.

No news is bad news - the death of the press

8 Mar 2019

Newspapers are dying. This is not just a tragedy for journalism, it is also a threat to democracy. There is a need for a public policy response before it is too late.

Employability programmes can transform lives and communities

Participants in Start360’s Switch onto Employment, at the scheme's celebration last August

7 Mar 2019

The European Social Fund has committed £200m to NI for employability schemes – including Start360’s Switch onto Employment. The organisation tells Scope that ESF’s post-Brexit replacement cannot be half hearted.

The terrifying truth about climate change

1 Mar 2019

It has been one of those weeks when everyone has been talking about the weather.

The Justice Department wants your views on how best to beat internet grooming and child abuse

28 Feb 2019

How justice agencies and the law tackle online child sexual exploitation is evolving. Common availability of the internet is only about 20 years old – while the reach and nature of usage has changed massively in the last decade.

Have your say on making the health service more open

22 Feb 2019

The Department of Health is currently working through its response to the Inquiry into Hyponatraemia-related Deaths.

Reform of stroke services could lead the way for health transformation

Stroke survivor Rosemary Brown and her partner Martin

21 Feb 2019

A new report from the Stroke Association prove significant shortcomings in service. Officials want their planned sweeping changes to show how our entire Health and Social Care system can be reformed.

Childcare provision is good but there are problems with affordability and sustainability

14 Feb 2019

Last month, Employers for Childcare released their ninth annual NI Childcare Cost Survey. The burden on families is enormous - but providers are also under huge strain. Reform (financial assistance and restructuring) is required.

The health revolution

13 Feb 2019

Medicine is at the dawn of a new era. A whole range of new digital technologies, significant steps in developing artificial intelligence and rapid developments on genomics will together transform healthcare forever.

The Crisis in Social Care: the road to nowhere

8 Feb 2019

Power to People, the expert panel review of adult social care in Northern Ireland called for the authorities to start a public conversation about how services should be structured and funded.

Quality of life is easy to understand but difficult to pin down