Latest Updates

Ireland is a place where the past and the present are entwined. In the north grievance and counter-grievance dominate politics and many of those grievances go back centuries.

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.

A two tier health system is emerging in the UK where those with money get preferential treatment.

Reforming Northern Ireland’s health system is essential. The need for change is urgent. However, without changing how we discuss this need, we are making something that is already difficult that much tougher.

Here is a simple, straightforward policy ambition that all political parties in Northern Ireland could sign up for tomorrow. 

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.

The Belfast Charitable Society is a very special organisation.

Northern Ireland’s mental health services have a lot of catching up to do – but, while the road is long, progress is happening with cooperation between statutory services and the third sector.

Three dangerous and demonstrably false myths continue to generate debate long after they have been discredited.

A group of organisations helping the Department for Communities draw up an anti-poverty strategy released a report this week. Could it form the basis for an ambitious, long-term strategy to minimise or even eliminate poverty in NI?

As food, fuel and housing costs rise, pressure grows on households. The third sector is on the frontline of helping people – however, it faces its own pressures. Politics is supposed to help but right now it’s getting in the way.

It is still a little early to assess the full impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our health, but enough evidence is now in to draw some tentative conclusions.

This week more evidence emerged as to why it is so important for there to be a full public inquiry into the operation of mother and baby homes in Northern Ireland.

Housing Association Clanmil put on a play for Good Relations week. Scope takes a look at an interesting and creative way to get communities to discuss social issues.

This past week it seems as if everything stopped, on hold, waiting for the period of mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Lots of people distrust social media and its effects on political discussions. Several different studies indicate different ways that Twitter, Facebook and the rest shape discourse - and some ways they maybe don’t.

The death of Queen Elizabeth II has dominated news channels to such an extent that two important developments this week did not get all the attention they deserved.

The Fiscal Council has published its first report into NI’s spending abilities. If you think the current status quo of failing healthcare, over-budget schools and sparse cost-of-living interventions is bad, wait till you see what’s next.

Heavy hitters Penny Mordant, Iain Duncan Smith and Sajid Javid were all offered the post Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. All turned it down, which is why we now have Chris Heaton-Harris at the helm.

People in abusive relationships need the confidence to know that, if they leave, they can do so safely – and with plenty of support.