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Northern Ireland

Barnardo’s has been working in Northern Ireland for over 108 years. Today, in over 45 services rooted in communities across the length and breadth of Northern Ireland, we reach out to 11,000 children, young people and their families every year.

Press Releases

Trainees from Dr B's scoop two silver awards at IFEX ChefSkill competition

Samantha and Ciaran with awards

Aspiring chefs Ciaran Cush and Samantha Freeney from Barnardo’s Dr. B’s Kitchen were awarded silver awards at the influential IFEX ChefSkill competition at the King’s Hall in Belfast on 29 April 2008.

Entrants were required to cook a two course meal in one hour. Their menus were secret up until the last minute (see below).  Barnardo’s is grateful to a number of companies who supported their efforts especially David Thompson of Thompsons Glengormley, Jilly Duggan of Moyallon Foods and Vincent McKenna of The Chef Shop in Belfast.

Samantha and Judges
Ciaran and Judges

Download the press release (PDF 33.6KB)

Respecting Children's Spiritual Wellbeing: a practice guide

This Practice Guide looks at the area of children's spiritual needs and is designed for use by those who are working and caring for children and young people to equip them with necessary knowledge and skills to meet the children's spiritual needs.  It is written from a practical point of view with tried and tested examples of how Barnardo's staff has worked with children and young people on just what it means to be "human".

The Practice Guide, compiled and edited by Margaret Crompton, costs £14 including p&p and is available from Barnardo's Parenting Matters on tel: 028 9049 1081 or email niparenting.matters@barnardos.org.uk.

Barnardo's launches child poverty campaign

Download the press release (PDF 48.8KB).
Download the campaign report - It doesn't happen here: the reality of child poverty in Northern Ireland (PDF)

Fair Play booklet on talking to children about prejudice and discrimination reprinted to coincide with BBC Northern Ireland’s State of Mind series.

Download the press release (PDF 56KB)
Download the Fair Play booklet (PDF 4.33MB)

Barnardo's Services

Our pioneering services are wide-ranging but all share a commitment to improving children’s lives. For example:

  • we provide services for children with disabilities which open up their horizons as well as giving exhausted families a break
'They gave me confidence to do something, I love it.' A young person at Barnardo’s Project which places young people with learning disabilities in employment
  • we have centres where families facing enormous difficulties in their lives receive vital support and advice
'I like coming to the centre because I can get lots of thoughts out of my head!' A child attending Simpson Family Resource Centre
  • we support children living with the trauma of domestic violence
'I felt better because I knew what to do in an emergency when dad was hurting mum' Susan, aged 10, speaking of the ‘keep safe plan’ worked out with Barnardo’s Northern Ireland and her mum

Northern Ireland has the highest youth population and levels of child poverty in the UK and we work hard to make sure that children’s issues are on the agenda of all our politicians and policy-makers. See the Manifesto for children in Northern Ireland: Room for improvement launched 7 April 2005.

With the right help children in the most difficult circumstances can find a way forward in their lives. Barnardo’s Northern Ireland is committed to giving children the help they need, when they need it. All the money raised in Northern Ireland is spent here please donate today to help us make a difference to these children in Northern Ireland who are most in need and at risk.