Revised guidance on the termination of pregnancy in Northern Ireland was issued for public consultation on 27 July, 2010.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) had previously published guidance in March 2009 on the termination of pregnancy in Northern Ireland. However in November 2009 the Guidance was subject to a Judicial Review. Following the Judicial Review decision, interim Guidance was published in February 2010 with the sections on conscientious objection and counselling omitted. This interim Guidance has now been withdrawn.

The Department has redrafted the sections on counselling and conscientious objection and has incorporated these into revised Guidance which is now issued for consultation.

The consultation period will run for a period of twelve weeks from 27 July 2010 ending on 22 October 2010.

This guidance can be accessed on the DHSSPS website at http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk by clicking on the DHSSPS e-consultation link. Copies of the guidance are also available on request by contacting: Family Policy Unit, Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast BT4 3SQ or telephone: 028 9052 0530.

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NIASBAH REPORT ON DUBLIN IF CONGRESS

Doreen Lyness attended the International Congress in Dublin in June, 2010, on behalf of the Belfast Branch of NIASBAH and Sid McDowell attended as Vice-President of NIASBAH. They have prepared a report on the Congress. Read more

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Warm Homes Scheme - www.warm-homes.com

H & A Mechanical Services have been appointed as Scheme Managers of the Warm Home Scheme on behalf of the Department for Social Development. The Warm Homes Scheme is designed to address fuel poverty among the most vulnerable in our community.

 
If you need help paying for heating and insulation improvements in your privately owned or rented home, you, your partner or civil partner may be able to get help from the government's Warm Homes Scheme. The Warm Homes Scheme provides a package of energy-efficiency and heating measures. Energy-efficiency advice, tailored to each household, is provided in accordance with the Energy Savings Trust's Code of Practice.

To find out more or apply call the Warm Homes Scheme Manager on Freephone:

 *

0800 988 0559

Lines open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. *Calls from a landline are free

www.warm-homes.com

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NORTHERN IRELAND CHARITY CELEBRATES

40th ANNIVERSARY IN STYLE

Northern Ireland Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus celebrated their 40th Anniversary recently with a fun packed and emotional FUN DAY celebrating the journey over the past 40 years.

With families turning up from all over Northern Ireland, almost 300 people found their way to Springhill, Moneymore to join in the celebrations and festivities.

Children, families and individuals enjoyed a mixture of brilliant forms of

entertainment.

Sid McDowell, CBE, NIASBAH's Vice- President said:

BE PREPARED-THE CHARITY COMMISSION HAS STARTED WORK

The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has appointed its first Chief Executive. She is Frances McCandless and took up her post with effect from 8 April 2010. She will be responsible for leading the organisation in the establishment of a regulatory framework for the charitable sector in Northern Ireland.  Ms McCandless joins the Charity Commission NI from the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) where she served as Director of Policy for 14 years. She has extensive experience working within the voluntary and community sector.

Hard on the heels of this appointment The Charity Commission NI (CCNI) has announced indicative dates for its work over the coming months to enable charities in Northern Ireland to prepare for the introduction of the charity register.

During April CCNI will receive the details of around 7,000 organisations from HM Revenue and Customs. These are organisations currently deemed to be charities for tax purposes.  They will make transitional arrangements for these organisations by placing them on a list called the Currently Deemed Charities List.  This is not the new register, but a list which will be publicly available on the CCNI website. While the organisations remain on this list, they will retain their charitable status with HMRC. CCNI will then start to transfer the 7,000 organisations gradually on to the new charity register, making individual determinations on each one to see if they qualify as charities under the Charities Act (NI) 2008. THey will start with 20 organisations to test out the new online registration system and take feedback from the organisations registering. They will then write to the others inviting them to register over the next 18 months – probably inviting organisations with a large income first and then working their way down through the rest.

This is a very significant event for charities operating in Northern Ireland. You can find fuller information by clicking here.  

 INTRODUCING WADDLE

A brand new website has been set up to raise funds for the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children and ASBAH.

The site has been developed by ASBAH member Paul Rainey and if you click through to the website you will find details of the journey travelled by Paul and his family which has prompted him to take this well organised fund raising initiative.

Waddle Vision & Aim

Waddle’s vision is to raise awareness of Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus in Northern Ireland. 

Waddle will ‘Walk & Paddle’ 100 miles of the River Bann from source to sea in aid of the life changing work of the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children, and the Association of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH). 

Waddle aims to encourage Northern Ireland society to pause, think and to be truly inclusive by changing attitudes and removing physical barriers which prevent disabled people living their lives to the full.

Charities

The Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children is the only dedicated Children’s Hospital in Northern Ireland providing specialist care for seriously ill children and support for their families across all six counties. 

ASBAH is the leading UK registered charity providing information and advice about Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.  ASBAH's vision is a future where everyone with Spina Bifida or Hydrocephalus can get the most out of life. 

www.asbah.org

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40th Anniversary AGM

ASBAH's Chief Executive, Jackie Bland (shown in picture), was the Guest Speaker at NIASBAH's 40th Anniversary AGM which turned out to be a very special occasion indeed. It proved to be a splendid opportunity to get to know Jackie and her pleasant personality and obvious interest in those attending the meeting provided a real sense of optimism for us all about the quality of future relationships. The event took place in the Lansdowne Court Hotel, Belfast and proved to be the best attended AGM of recent years. It was good to welcome back old friends of the Association who had served it well for many years-Jimmy Donnelly and his wife and also Eddie Weir and his wife Marcella were among those who not only took part in the meeting but answered one or two questions in the Quiz which kept us busy until a very enjoyable meal was served. 

Also present was Cathy McKillop, Director of the ASBAH Regional Office in Northern Ireland and she was accompanied by ASBAH Advisers Irene Kean and Catherine McCurry.

 Most of those present remarked that it had been a lively and interesting meeting and that the informal craic was just as good, and important as the meeting itself. 

As our Photo Gallery of the occasion shows there was also an anniversary cake to be cut and there was no shortage of people getting in on the act when it came to photos being taken. All told a good meeting with a sense of optimism around and several speakers stressed the need for the NIASBAH and branches in Northern Ireland to work ever more closely with our colleagues in the Regional Office and with UK ASBAH not only because of the worsening economic situation but also because it made plain sense.

And a huge vote of thanks goes to the Belfast Branch for hosting the event and making everybody feel so welcome and in particular Branch Chairperson, Collette Smith, Branch Chairperson, Veronica Crawford and we suspect Alan Crawford and Alison played their part too. Thanks go to Alan for arranging the Quiz which kept us all busy until the food was ready.