Bolster Community Shines a Light on Everyday Heroes
Did you know child & family poverty in N.I. is on the rise? Figures from the Department for Work and Pensions figures (for year ending April ’22) showed that in the Newry, Mourne and Down area alone, 26.4% of children live in relative poverty (before housing costs) compared with 23.0% in the rest of N.I. (with 8,841 children were living in relative poverty). In addition, Newry, Mourne and Down had the highest proportion of children aged under 16 in relative and absolute low-income families in Northern Ireland.
These are stark figures and as child & family poverty increases, demand for early intervention services also continues to rise. The need for proactive support has never been more urgent and it is within this challenging social landscape that we will mark our 20th anniversary with a major conference, “Everyday Heroes – Celebrating Extraordinary Impact,” on Thursday 27th March at the Canal Court Hotel in Newry.
The conference will shine a light on the power of early, targeted support and how collective action can help break cycles of disadvantage for future generations. We will bring together key voices from government, health, education, sport and corporate sectors to explore how early intervention and practical support can prevent crisis and build stronger, more resilient communities.
Inspiring Speakers and Meaningful Conversations
The event will feature keynote speaker Dr Katriona O’Sullivan, Senior Lecturer in Digital Skills at Maynooth University and author of Poor, an award-winning book detailing her personal journey from teenage homelessness and adversity to an academic career dedicated to promoting equity in education. Dr. O’Sullivan, who has overcome a harrowing childhood will share insights from her own life experience and professional work, demonstrating the life-changing impact of timely intervention and community support.
Attendees will also hear from influential speakers including senior Government representatives and Acting Chief Executive of the Southern Trust, Colm McCafferty as well as frontline practitioner’s & professionals who will highlight current challenges, real-world impact, and how collective action can strengthen early intervention efforts.
A Call to Action for All Sectors
The conference is open to teachers, healthcare professionals, family support workers, HR and wellbeing leads, safeguarding officers, volunteers in sports settings, and anyone working in frontline support and policy. It will serve as a platform for meaningful discussion, collaboration, and advocacy for early intervention strategies that work.
Jacinta Linden, CEO of Bolster Community, said: “This summit is an opportunity to ask ourselves: how can we, individually and collectively, step in before crisis hits? There is so much more this Government can do in these tough times to stop those with the least from suffering the most, Early intervention has proven time and again to be both cost-effective and life changing. With this event, we want to encourage real discussions and highlight practical support methods that work. It’s our 20th year, and there’s no better way to mark it than by pushing for more effective and proactive support across Northern Ireland.”
Celebrating Everyday Heroes
In addition to thought-provoking discussions, the event will celebrate local Everyday Heroes, recognising individuals who have made a lasting impact in our community. It will also feature the launch of a new interactive photography exhibition, showcasing the challenges and journeys of local heroes who have overcome significant challenges in their lives, leaving no doubt about the transformative power of early intervention.
Bolster Community, originally founded in 2004 has grown to provide essential services in family support, disability, and seniors support, fostering connection, resilience, and well-being across all life stages – but we can’t do it alone…
Help Us Champion Early Intervention
General admission tickets are available now for £55.00 per person. To book tickets or find out more, visit Eventbrite at https://bit.ly/everyday-heroes-conference.