This brief draws on published research evidence on the trauma of violence and its impact on young people and discussion at a roundtable event organised by ARK held on 1 July 2021. The roundtable was conducted under the anonymity of reporting allowed under The Chatham House Rule. Attendees included representatives from government departments, statutory agencies and voluntary and community
(Edited publisher abstract)
This brief draws on published research evidence on the trauma of violence and its impact on young people and discussion at a roundtable event organised by ARK held on 1 July 2021. The roundtable was conducted under the anonymity of reporting allowed under The Chatham House Rule. Attendees included representatives from government departments, statutory agencies and voluntary and community organisations. The brief presents the research information and highlights emerging issues; this is followed by a summary of the three short presentations which provided context for the discussion at the roundtable. Points raised included: there had been a failure to acknowledge the range of traumatic experiences and that the concentration on the home meant that the significance of other sites of violence was less acknowledged and understood; this is a very opportune time to focus the trauma of violence given the pressures emanating from political instability and recent unrest in some areas and the additional challenges that many young people and services will have experienced during the COVID 19 Pandemic; arrival of patients who have been affected by violence at an Emergency Department can be a point when people re-evaluate – it is a ‘reachable or teachable’ moment; evidence suggest that the additional support of a youth worker during this traumatic moment and follow up youth work support has positive impacts; young men need a better understanding of the consequences of violence – too often violence is normalised or seen as ‘inevitable’; traditional gender norms and. in particular, the ways that masculinity is ‘performed’ need to be challenged.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This briefing paper presents evidence on the inequalities that exist for the ageing LGBTQ+ population in Northern Ireland and highlights key findings and recommendations. The evidence is drawn from published studies, data from the Northern Ireland Life and Times survey (2012; 2018) and specifically from an in-depth research study that explored the human development and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community in Northern Ireland (NI) (Mackle, 2019). The in-depth study comprised 35 semi-structured interviews with individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ and five interviews with stakeholder organisations. Key findings include: there is a fear of ageing among the ageing LGBTQ+ population in Northern Ireland; the stigma that older LGBTQ+ people may have faced in their earlier years is encountered again in predominantly heteronormative, and often homo/bi/transphobic, care environments; research has identified that discrimination against the older LGBTQ+ population can manifest in different ways within formal care settings; there is a lack of knowledge and understanding in relation to sexual orientation/gender identity and minority stress amongst health care staff; older LGBTQ+ people are more likely to live alone than their heterosexual peers meaning they are more likely to need formal care arrangements; loneliness and social isolation is a concern for the LGBTQ+ population with 1 in 12 LGBTQ+ people reporting that they have no one to turn to for support; there is a lack of specific health and support services that specifically support LGBTQ+ older people; due to lack of government funding, LGBTQ+ sector support groups do not have any social or support services specific to the older LGBTQ+ community.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This briefing paper presents evidence on the inequalities that exist for the ageing LGBTQ+ population in Northern Ireland and highlights key findings and recommendations. The evidence is drawn from published studies, data from the Northern Ireland Life and Times survey (2012; 2018) and specifically from an in-depth research study that explored the human development and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community in Northern Ireland (NI) (Mackle, 2019). The in-depth study comprised 35 semi-structured interviews with individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ and five interviews with stakeholder organisations. Key findings include: there is a fear of ageing among the ageing LGBTQ+ population in Northern Ireland; the stigma that older LGBTQ+ people may have faced in their earlier years is encountered again in predominantly heteronormative, and often homo/bi/transphobic, care environments; research has identified that discrimination against the older LGBTQ+ population can manifest in different ways within formal care settings; there is a lack of knowledge and understanding in relation to sexual orientation/gender identity and minority stress amongst health care staff; older LGBTQ+ people are more likely to live alone than their heterosexual peers meaning they are more likely to need formal care arrangements; loneliness and social isolation is a concern for the LGBTQ+ population with 1 in 12 LGBTQ+ people reporting that they have no one to turn to for support; there is a lack of specific health and support services that specifically support LGBTQ+ older people; due to lack of government funding, LGBTQ+ sector support groups do not have any social or support services specific to the older LGBTQ+ community.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
LGBT people, older people, ageing, inequalities, stigma, loneliness, sexual orientation discrimination;
This brief paper paints a picture of social care systems and the workforce struggling to cope under significant pressure as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic. It argues that many of the now highly visible problems relating to social care are not new; the pandemic has just brought to public attention serious problems resulting from years of under-funding and political neglect. Even in Northern Ireland where health and social care provision has been structurally integrated since 1973, a clear fault line exists between universal health services and means tested social care. There are inequities driven by how services are funded, how needs are assessed, how individual contributions are assessed, the fragmentation of the provider market and variation in care standards and quality. The paper focuses specifically on the fragmented provision and variable standards; the social care workforce; and the integration of health and social care in Northern Ireland. It observes that the experience of NI has shown clearly that structural integration does not in itself lead to parity between health and social services. That can only be achieved by reform of the funding and delivery of social care.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This brief paper paints a picture of social care systems and the workforce struggling to cope under significant pressure as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic. It argues that many of the now highly visible problems relating to social care are not new; the pandemic has just brought to public attention serious problems resulting from years of under-funding and political neglect. Even in Northern Ireland where health and social care provision has been structurally integrated since 1973, a clear fault line exists between universal health services and means tested social care. There are inequities driven by how services are funded, how needs are assessed, how individual contributions are assessed, the fragmentation of the provider market and variation in care standards and quality. The paper focuses specifically on the fragmented provision and variable standards; the social care workforce; and the integration of health and social care in Northern Ireland. It observes that the experience of NI has shown clearly that structural integration does not in itself lead to parity between health and social services. That can only be achieved by reform of the funding and delivery of social care.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
Covid-19, adult social care, care reform, government policy, social care staff, care workforce, integrated care, resource allocation, financing;
This policy brief is based on the workshop held at Queen’s University Belfast to explore grandparents’ experiences of kinship care from different perspectives, including research, policy and personal experience. It summarises the main issues from the presentations and examines the themes that emerged from the discussions. These cover: gender roles, financial pressures and taking on the role of kinship carer unexpectedly. The briefing shows that kinship carers provide a valuable resource to families and that any barriers or inequalities carers face must be recognised and tackled. The workshop discussions also show that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach does not work in kinship care, because each situation is so unique. It calls for more progress to support older kingship carers in the UK, especially older male carers which are missing from policy debates.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This policy brief is based on the workshop held at Queen’s University Belfast to explore grandparents’ experiences of kinship care from different perspectives, including research, policy and personal experience. It summarises the main issues from the presentations and examines the themes that emerged from the discussions. These cover: gender roles, financial pressures and taking on the role of kinship carer unexpectedly. The briefing shows that kinship carers provide a valuable resource to families and that any barriers or inequalities carers face must be recognised and tackled. The workshop discussions also show that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach does not work in kinship care, because each situation is so unique. It calls for more progress to support older kingship carers in the UK, especially older male carers which are missing from policy debates.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
kinship care, older people, grandparents, foster care, access to services;
This research update uses data from the 2015 Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) Survey to look at public attitudes to social care, and examines them in the context of the current policy landscape. Key findings include: there is strong support among the Northern Ireland public for social care to be free at the point of use, paid for by some kind of special tax which a person would pay over their lifetime; half of respondents had not thought about how they might fund their care in the future, and only 17% had made some provision for this; asked about future care preferences, 84% of respondents aged over 50 would want to be able to get care in their own home; across a range of social care issues, attitudes have changed little since 2010 when the survey was first run.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This research update uses data from the 2015 Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) Survey to look at public attitudes to social care, and examines them in the context of the current policy landscape. Key findings include: there is strong support among the Northern Ireland public for social care to be free at the point of use, paid for by some kind of special tax which a person would pay over their lifetime; half of respondents had not thought about how they might fund their care in the future, and only 17% had made some provision for this; asked about future care preferences, 84% of respondents aged over 50 would want to be able to get care in their own home; across a range of social care issues, attitudes have changed little since 2010 when the survey was first run.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
social care, government policy, surveys, public opinion, user views, payments, charges, financing;
Based on the findings from the 2014 Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) Survey, this research update looks at public attitudes, knowledge and behaviour towards dementia. It examines whether policy and media activity around the area of dementia has resulted in any changes in attitudes since the publication of the 2010 survey. The findings cover public knowledge about dementia; dementia and rights; care provision; and views about the support families and partners should provide. The results show that although an increasing number of people know someone with the dementia, public understanding of dementia is still quite low. It also identifies a lack of knowledge about the links between diet, exercise, smoking or alcohol consumption and the risk of developing dementia. It highlights the need for more information to develop an understanding of how dementia can affect a person and the importance of seeking early medical intervention.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Based on the findings from the 2014 Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) Survey, this research update looks at public attitudes, knowledge and behaviour towards dementia. It examines whether policy and media activity around the area of dementia has resulted in any changes in attitudes since the publication of the 2010 survey. The findings cover public knowledge about dementia; dementia and rights; care provision; and views about the support families and partners should provide. The results show that although an increasing number of people know someone with the dementia, public understanding of dementia is still quite low. It also identifies a lack of knowledge about the links between diet, exercise, smoking or alcohol consumption and the risk of developing dementia. It highlights the need for more information to develop an understanding of how dementia can affect a person and the importance of seeking early medical intervention.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This paper discusses key issues relating to evaluating the outcomes of an arts-based intervention or programme for people with dementia, with a particular focus on participants' wellbeing. It looks at selecting the method of evaluation, such as whether the evaluation will be formative or summative; evaluation design; different methods for measuring wellbeing, including questionnaires; and what to consider when evaluating the impact of a programme on wellbeing. It also includes case studies which provide additional information on quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods evaluations of art’s based interventions for people with dementia.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This paper discusses key issues relating to evaluating the outcomes of an arts-based intervention or programme for people with dementia, with a particular focus on participants' wellbeing. It looks at selecting the method of evaluation, such as whether the evaluation will be formative or summative; evaluation design; different methods for measuring wellbeing, including questionnaires; and what to consider when evaluating the impact of a programme on wellbeing. It also includes case studies which provide additional information on quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods evaluations of art’s based interventions for people with dementia.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
evaluation, arts, dementia, wellbeing, case studies, research methods, outcomes;
Based on data from the 2015 Northern Ireland Life and Times survey, which involved 1.2020 adults, this research update looks at unpaid carers in Northern Ireland. It looks the numbers of people providing care, who is receiving care, the amount of time spent caring, and the impact of caring and how it affects carers’ emotional and physical health, finances, and working life. The data illustrates the essential role of carers, with 19 per cent of carers surveyed providing at least 60 hours of care per week shows are to the health and social care system. It also highlights the complexities of the responsibilities and pressures associated with carers’ lives and provides new evidence of the impact that these roles have on carers.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Based on data from the 2015 Northern Ireland Life and Times survey, which involved 1.2020 adults, this research update looks at unpaid carers in Northern Ireland. It looks the numbers of people providing care, who is receiving care, the amount of time spent caring, and the impact of caring and how it affects carers’ emotional and physical health, finances, and working life. The data illustrates the essential role of carers, with 19 per cent of carers surveyed providing at least 60 hours of care per week shows are to the health and social care system. It also highlights the complexities of the responsibilities and pressures associated with carers’ lives and provides new evidence of the impact that these roles have on carers.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This briefing compares questionnaire results from the 2008 and 2013 Young Life and Times survey on self-harm and help seeking behaviour for young people in Northern Ireland, to identify any changes in young people's behaviours. The survey invites every 16-year old born in February and March of the survey year who receives Child Benefit Payments to take part. The numbers of 16 year olds responding to the survey was 941 in 2008 (23% response rate) and 1,367 in 2013 (35% response rate). Key findings include: a slight increase in the number of 16-year old's who said they self-harmed from 2008 to 2013; in both years, more females were more likely than males to say they thought about self-harm or did self-harm; a smaller percentage had talked to someone or tried to get help before self-harming; there was also a large drop in the number of young people who talked to friends before self-harming. However, the survey also found that most self-harming people do not use helplines for support. More work needs to be done to encourage young people to show young people where they can go for support.
(Original abstract)
This briefing compares questionnaire results from the 2008 and 2013 Young Life and Times survey on self-harm and help seeking behaviour for young people in Northern Ireland, to identify any changes in young people's behaviours. The survey invites every 16-year old born in February and March of the survey year who receives Child Benefit Payments to take part. The numbers of 16 year olds responding to the survey was 941 in 2008 (23% response rate) and 1,367 in 2013 (35% response rate). Key findings include: a slight increase in the number of 16-year old's who said they self-harmed from 2008 to 2013; in both years, more females were more likely than males to say they thought about self-harm or did self-harm; a smaller percentage had talked to someone or tried to get help before self-harming; there was also a large drop in the number of young people who talked to friends before self-harming. However, the survey also found that most self-harming people do not use helplines for support. More work needs to be done to encourage young people to show young people where they can go for support.
(Original abstract)
Subject terms:
self-harm, young people, service uptake, surveys, mental health problems;
Befriending programmes have been used as one of a range of initiatives to help combat loneliness and social isolation among older people. This discussion paper looks at how befriending services can be delivered face-to-face, by telephone (telefriending) and by email or internet (e-befriending). It then presents eight short case studies of alternative approaches and models developed across the world, in order to highlight the potential that different models can bring. The case studies include Hubs for Older People's Engagement (HOPE) in Belfast and an Enhanced befriending scheme in Tower Hamlets.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Befriending programmes have been used as one of a range of initiatives to help combat loneliness and social isolation among older people. This discussion paper looks at how befriending services can be delivered face-to-face, by telephone (telefriending) and by email or internet (e-befriending). It then presents eight short case studies of alternative approaches and models developed across the world, in order to highlight the potential that different models can bring. The case studies include Hubs for Older People's Engagement (HOPE) in Belfast and an Enhanced befriending scheme in Tower Hamlets.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
befriending schemes, older people, loneliness, social isolation;