Cllr Liz McGowan

31/08/2026

🌐 Staying safe online matters wherever children and young people connect.

Whether they are using a phone, tablet, laptop, gaming console, social media, messaging apps or online games, understanding how to protect personal information, recognise unsafe behaviour and know when to ask for help is important.

Our poster shares some simple reminders to help children and young people stay safer online.

Useful supports and information:

Webwise
Ireland’s Internet Safety Awareness Centre, with advice and resources for children, young people, parents and schools.
https://www.webwise.ie/

Childline
Free, confidential support for children and young people up to and including age 18. Childline is available 24 hours a day by phone or online chat.
Phone: 1800 66 66 66
https://www.childline.ie/

Childline Online Safety Hub
Information specifically for young people on staying safe online, online bullying and what to do if something happens online that worries them.
https://www.childline.ie/topics/online-safety

Hotline.ie
Irish Internet Hotline is a confidential reporting service for suspected illegal online content, including child sexual abuse material, grooming, intimate image abuse and other illegal content.
https://www.hotline.ie/

💙 If something online does not feel right, children and young people should be encouraged to speak to a trusted adult and ask for help.

31/08/2026

📢UPDATE ON HOME HEATING OIL PAYMENT:

The scheme will provide ELIGIBLE households with a one-off £100 voucher towards home heating oil costs. Eligibility criteria here : 👇

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/home-heating-oil-support

➡ Eligible home heating oil customers must make an application via the NIdirect website

➡ Applications will open from Wednesday 9th September, running until 31 March 2027.

➡Successful applicants will receive a payment card within 10 working days of applying.

➡It is one payment card per address.

⚡️A separate scheme will give ALL households around £50 off their electricity bills in October. This will be applied automatically, You Do Not Need to Apply👍🏻

24/08/2026

The Western Health and Social Care Trust offers a wide range of FREE drug and alcohol support services across the Derry and Strabane area. See the poster below for full details, or visit www.drugsandalcohol.info
In Crisis? Call Lifeline FREE 24/7: 0808 808 8000
You are not alone. Help is available. 💙

24/08/2026

🎒 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance 2026
With the cost of living continuing to put pressure on household budgets, the expense of getting children ready for school can be difficult for many families.

The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is a once-off, means-tested payment to help eligible families with the cost of school clothing and footwear.

2026 payment rates:
🔹 €160 for each eligible child aged 2 to 11
🔹 €285 for each eligible child aged 12 to 22*

Many eligible families receive the payment automatically. However, if you did not receive an automatic award notification and think you may qualify, you can still apply.

📅 Applications close 30 September 2026.

🔎 Check your eligibility and find out how to apply:
https://www.gov.ie/bscfa

💻 The quickest way to apply is online through MyWelfare:
https://www.mywelfare.ie/

*Those aged 18 to 22 must be returning to full-time second level education in autumn 2026.

Please share this information with anyone who may find it helpful.

24/08/2026

📣 Support available for families as new school year begins

The EA is reminding parents and carers that help and information is available as schools across Northern Ireland prepare to welcome pupils back for the new academic year.

A number of dedicated helplines are in place and further information and details of support are available through the EA website and social media channels. This covers a range of areas, including special educational needs (SEN), school transport, free school meals, uniform grants and admissions.

🔗 Read more: https://ow.ly/7b8M50ZEAHu

24/08/2026

📣EXCITING NEWS 📣
Introducing the Waterside Credit Union Future Fund!

We're delighted to launch our new Student Bursary Scheme, supporting Waterside Credit Union members who are starting the first year of a full-time university degree.

This year, we have £1,500 in bursaries to award:

£1,000 – first applicant drawn
£500 – second applicant drawn
Applications are now open and close on 30th September 2026.

Not a member yet? You can still apply – simply become a Waterside Credit Union member and submit your application before the closing date.

Completed applications can be returned by email, post or dropped into our office.

Full eligibility criteria, Terms & Conditions and application details can be found on our website:
https://watersidecreditunion.co.uk/3372-2/

Please share with anyone starting university this year!

We’re delighted to launch the Waterside Credit Union Future Fund – Student Bursary Scheme, a new initiative supporting our members as they […]

21/07/2026

14/07/2026

06/07/2026

Waterside!

📅 Wednesday 8th July
📍 Foyle College, 67A Limavady Road, BT47 6LR

💪 You can book your next donation👇https://nibts.hscni.net/online-booking-for-blood-donation-appointments/ 🩸❤️