Monthly Archives: May 2019

A mum in Whiteabbey is among parents from across Northern Ireland who have joined forces to help launch mental health campaign, #TakeAMoment. #TakeAMoment is aimed at breaking down barriers of guilt, shame, loneliness, embarrassment, fear, confusion and other stigmas associated with perinatal depression and anxieties. Mum of two Bybit Areketa, who lives in Whiteabbey who is part of the #TakeAMoment campaign, to help improve mental health in parents. The campaign will aim to encourage new parents and, indeed, everyone to prioritise their mental health. The mums and dads backing the campaign feature in a no holds barred short film which can be viewed at www.momenthealth.io where they share their own varied experiences of parenthood in an open, honest, often emotional, frank and very personal way. Bybit Areketa (34) is the Director of Mental and Emotional Wellness Trust and lives in Whiteaabbey. Bybit, a mum of two, said: “I am passionate … Continue reading →

More than 100 people attended the ROC Conversation event which took place at Larne High School last night. Speakers represented PSNI, schools, NI Fire and Rescue Service and health who highlighted key issues in the town. Leading proceedings was Debra Green OBE, director of ROC (Redeeming Our Communities) who travelled from Manchester for the talks. Discussions took place on a range of subjects including loneliness, mental health, addictions, the legacy of the Troubles and rural isolation. It is expected that an action group will now be established within the next few months. The ROC Conversation brings together residents, statutory agencies, schools, community and faith groups who have an interest in the local area. Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs commented: “Having learnt of the positive work of ROC NI in Belfast, I suggested they should come to Carrick and Larne. Following on from the full Carrickfergus Town Hall, it was great … Continue reading →

Police are investigating a sledgehammer attack. September 17 2018 A Northern Ireland man has been left with life changing injuries after being beaten with sledgehammers during a burglary on Sunday night. Police are investigating after a report of an aggravated burglary in the Woodvale area of Larne. Police received a report just before 11:25pm that a number of men with sledgehammers were seen running down an alleyway in the Woodvale area and that a man was heard screaming from a nearby property. Police attended and located a man inside a property, where a number of windows were smashed. The man, aged in his 20s, sustained injuries to his legs and arms and is being treated in hospital for what are described as life-changing injuries. “This was a brutal attack, which is being treated as a paramilitary style assault at this time,” Detective Sergeant Pete Crothers said. “Our enquiries are an … Continue reading →

A proportion of the scrap that turns up in yards is stolen By Noel McAdam December 18 2015 Hundreds of jobs will be put at risk if MLAs move to ban instant cash sales at scrap metal dealers, the Assembly has been warned. The British Metals Recycling Association, which has 12 recycling sites in Northern Ireland and employs 1,000 people, said efforts to tackle the sale of stolen scrap metal were counter-productive. Director general Ian Heatherington warned some of the 40 businesses here would go under if the idea was approved, and said people would simply take their scrap over the border. He told MLAs scrap firms in the border areas would “disappear” and added: “That would happen because people seek cash for their scrap. These people will seek out sources of cash to sell their scrap to. These people will seek to receive cash, and they will be able … Continue reading →

The DUP say £70 million worth of cuts Northern Ireland health trusts must make over the next seven months is the result of Sinn Féin’s “abstentionism”. The £10m per month cuts were confirmed by the Department of Health yesterday. Each of Northern Ireland’s five Health and Social Care Trusts announced an ‘extraordinary meeting of the Board of Directors’ to take place at five various offices on Thursday, where they are expected to outline their plan to make savings. The cuts, said DUP MLA Christopher Stalford, are the result of Sinn Fein’s “refusal to form an Executive”. The annual spending for Northern Ireland health department — along with all the other departments — is usually agreed in an overall annual budget in around December or January, covering the financial year beginning in April. However, amid the ongoing political crisis at Stormont, no budget was agreed. In March, civil servants – not … Continue reading →