Bolster Community welcomes Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Fleur Anderson to Whitegates

On Friday 26th July, we were delighted to welcome Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Fleur Anderson to Whitegates for an informal discussion around the transformation of public services, the UKSPF funding agenda and the urgent need to escalate recommendations emerging from Ray Jones review of children’s health and social care services to action.

Bolster Community CEO Jacinta Linden spoke to the key role of the family support hubs within Northern Ireland and gave examples of cross sectoral outcomes impacting children and parents seeking support from the Newry Family support hub. Minister Anderson was keen to hear examples of how the family support hub supports children and families and how overall, joined up resourcing may prevent more children falling into crisis. With a background in community work and conflict resolution Minister Anderson understood the challenges involved in helping strengthen all of society, particularly given successive challenges from Covid 19, through Brexit and the Cost-of-Living Crisis.

Minister Anderson enjoyed meeting the Bolster staff, and listened intently to the challenges faced by our charity where demand for services is seriously outstripping resources. We were also able to highlight the impactful work of our UKSPF Building Futures programme, which will come to an end in March 2025 unless there is a transition period supported by the new government.

Reflecting on her visit, Minister Anderson said: “It was fantastic to hear first-hand the invaluable support which Bolster Community offers local people. Their wide range of services boost quality of life for children and families, providing positive and practical measures which make a real difference.”

Autism Connect participants heading out on a social trip to Newcastle were happy to pose for photographs with the Minister and the Bolster Buddies were keen to advise that the Minister wore orange to support Armagh in the All-Ireland Final!

Bolster Community Head of operations Allison Slater said, “It was an absolute privilege and pleasure to host Minister Anderson this morning, introduce her to Bolster, our services and programmes, Overall, a very positive meeting with a very engaged Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State who gives us good reason to remain cautiously optimistic.”