Health

New toolkit launched for parents of children with disabilities

2 Jun 2023Ryan Miller undefinedHealth, Mental Health, SEN, Disability, Children and Young People, Parenting

A new toolkit for people whose children have disabilities – and written by parents, for parents – could be transformative for mums and dads who feel overwhelmed.

Could the cost-of-living crisis be even bigger than we thought? See for yourself

3 May 2023Ryan Miller undefinedHealth, Cost of Living, Sector Issues, Social Policy, Inflation

New ONS analysis shows where inflation is really pressurising household budgets. Some basics are up by over 40%. Meanwhile a new online tool will let you check how inflation is affecting you and your family, specifically.

Is a public services meltdown on the cards?

27 Apr 2023Ryan Miller undefinedEducation, Stormont, Budget, Health, Mental Health, Politics

The Secretary of State’s budget is here. A bonfire of services seems likely. With a focus on education, Scope looks at cuts that are already in motion – and outlines the consequences.

Pay now, or pay (more) later? How the cost-of-living crisis is squeezing the third sector.

14 Apr 2023Ryan Miller undefinedSector Issues, Children and Young People, Mental Health, Health, Funding, Childcare

Spiking inflation and weak public finances have put community organisations on the back foot. However, it would be short-sighted to let services wither. Where possible, we must spend to save.

Community transport, health transformation and public service collapse

29 Mar 2023Ryan Miller undefinedHealth, Health Reform, Bengoa, Community Transport, Stormont

Stormont was rarely good and never perfect but the current zombie version is leading us to disaster. Our elected representatives must get back to work.

You won’t address economic inactivity if you misdiagnose the problem

23 Feb 2023Ryan Miller undefinedHealth, Mental Health, Economic Inactivity, Carers, Disability, Social Security

The Chancellor has flagged up economic inactivity as an urgent issue. If he looks at this complex challenge and attempts a simple fix, he won’t get the results he wants.

Tough times can bring out the best in people

25 Jan 2023Ryan Miller undefinedMental Health, Health, Cost of Living, Poverty, Sector Issue, Social Policy, Funding

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

18 Jan 2023Ryan Miller undefinedPoverty, Health, Mental Health, Loneliness, Older People

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.

Data is growing. How it grows is up to us.

6 Jan 2023Ryan Miller undefinedData, Human Rights, Health, Big Data, Sector Issues, Social Policy, Privacy

Does big data provide an opportunity to improve the world? Can our personal info be used for nefarious ends? The answer to both is yes, potentially. Everyone should have an educated say in how we, as a society, use data.

Eating disorders in Northern Ireland: a problem of unknown scale

16 Dec 2022Ryan Miller undefinedHealth, Mental Health, Eating Disorders

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.