Action for Children

From before they are born until they are into their twenties, we help disadvantaged children across the UK. We help them through fostering or adoption – and by intervening early to stop neglect and abuse. We make life better for disabled children. We influence policy and advocate for change. Our 7,000 staff and volunteers operate over 600 services, improving the lives of 370,000 children, teenagers, parents and carers every year. We succeed by doing what’s right, doing what’s needed, and doing what works for children.

The Blues Programme is a six-week cognitive activity-based course, engaging students (13-19 years) to help tackle early signs of teenage anxiety and depression through implementing cognitive restructuring techniques and coping strategies which they can apply to daily life. 70% of pupils who have taken part so far have shown an improvement in their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

In Northern Ireland we have nearly 30 services working in communities across the region. We help thousands of children, young people and families to transform their lives and have been doing so since 2000. Our services include -

• Early Years and Family Support
• Fostering
• Mental health support
• Providing early help to families
• Coordinating local family support hubs
• Supporting young carers
• Preventing homelessness
• Intervening early and turning young lives around

We also work to improve the lives of children, young people and families through public policy work and campaigning, and through fundraising to support our services.

The Blues Programme is a six-week cognitive activity-based course, engaging students (13-19 years) to help tackle early signs of teenage anxiety and depression through implementing cognitive restructuring techniques and coping strategies which they can apply to daily life. 70% of pupils who have taken part so far have shown an improvement in their mental health and emotional wellbeing.