Barnardo’s new CEO comes to Lisburn

P2 pupils at Largymore PS Thomas J Moore and Correy McQuaid recently
welcomed Barnardos UK Chief Executive Javed Khan to their school.
Barnardos NI works in partnership with a number of schools in the Lisburn
area to offer support programmes for parents and pupils. They are pictured
with Largymore PS Principal Gillian Dunlop. — P2 pupils at Largymore PS Thomas J Moore and Correy McQuaid recently welcomed Barnardos UK Chief Executive Javed Khan to their school. Barnardos NI works in partnership with a number of schools in the Lisburn area to offer support programmes for parents and pupils. They are pictured with Largymore PS Principal Gillian Dunlop.

Mr Khan, who only took up his post in April made his first call in Lisburn to The Resurgam Trust which represents communities including Old Warren, Hilden, Hillhall, and Maze.

Barnardo’s NI works in partnership with the Resurgam Trust and in 2011 together with the Public Health Agency produced a report entitled ‘The Best for Every Child.’

Out of the report the Early Intervention Lisburn Project was born and through that Barnardo’s NI has been engaged to deliver its Incredible Years programme aimed at tackling social and emotional wellbeing to five schools in Lisburn including Tonagh, Largymore, Old Warren, Lisburn Central and Knockmore Primary Schools.

Incredible Years supports teachers with classroom management, parents and carers with parenting issues and has a special Dina programme. Barnardo’s worked in 12 schools in the past school year through its primary school counselling service - Time 4 Me.

More than 100 pupils, their families and schools were supported through the service to cope better with bereavement, family problems and worries about friendships and school work.

Time 4 Me helps pupils feel less stressed so they can concentrate better on learning. Schools offering counselling included Old Warren, Largymore, Pond Park and Tonagh.

While Barnardo’s work with the Resurgam Trust and in schools in Lisburn is relatively new, it has had a presence in Lisburn for over 20 years, initially through Woodland Family Centre and more recently through its Parent and Infant Programme.

PIP delivers local communities including Milltown, Ballymacash, Old Warren, Hillhall, Tonagh and Dromara offering support to more than 60 children aged 0-3 their parents/carers.

The aim of PIP is to strengthen early parent/child relationships by helping parents understand the developmental and early learning needs of their children. It is a structured programme with a strong theoretical basis influenced by current research and policy and provides a range of activities through play, which parents are encouraged to continue.

Barnardo’s NI Director Lynda Wilson said: “Lisburn is a city with high-performing grammar schools and good outcomes for children, research into the needs of disadvantaged areas of Lisburn has identified significant issues. Barnardo’s is working hard to address this imbalance.”