REAL LIFE

Translink Invite Public To Capture Life’s Connections Through A Lens!

Have you ever been curious about where the person sitting next to you on the bus or train are going and for what purpose? Today, Translink is launching an innovative new photography competition called Translink Connections to help answer that question and is challenging student and amateur photographers across Northern Ireland to capture striking and …

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Giants And Dundonald International Ice Bowl Skate Into New Season

The Stena Line Belfast Giants are proud to continue working in partnership with Dundonald International Ice Bowl for the 2023/24 season. The only Olympic sized public skating rink on the island of Ireland, Dundonald International Ice Bowl first opened its doors in 1986 and offers a range of on and off-ice family-friendly activities, including ice …

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Belfast Mind Coach Says “Parents Should Look After Their Mental Health During The Summer Holidays”

While the summer holidays are intended as a relieving respite for your young ones, it might not feel quite the same for you.  Gone are the scheduled six to seven hours of childcare each day, homework to occupy your children in the evenings, and after-school clubs to keep them stimulated.  Now you need to think …

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Bereaved Parents Reminded To Check Eligibility For Financial Support

Bereaved parents whose partner died between 9 April 2001 and 8 February 2023 are being encouraged to check their eligibility for backdated financial support by the Department for Communities. Eligibility for Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance was extended to cohabiting parents with dependent children on 9 February 2023. Previously only available to eligible …

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NI Households £4 Per Week Worse Off Than This Time Last Year

Asda’s latest Income Tracker has revealed that the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact most significantly on local families, as Northern Ireland is once again highlighted as the worst performing region in the UK. At £95 per week, the discretionary income of the average NI family – the amount left after all taxes and essential bills …

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Co. Antrim’s Dad Of The Year Takes On Lidl’s Daddy Dash

County Antrim’s Dad of the Year has been the lucky recipient of an entirely free grocery shop courtesy of leading supermarket retailer Lidl Northern Ireland, after taking part in a thrilling ‘supermarket sweep’ style competition in their local Lidl Northern Ireland store. In honour of Father’s Day 2023, Lidl Northern Ireland launched a special Father’s …

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10 Tips To Cut Your Shopping Bills In Half

A food guru has shared 10 tips that could cut your shopping bills in half – including always looking at the lowest placed items on a shelf, avoiding the bigger trolleys and investing more in the frozen food aisle. Personal finance expert Lynn Beattie – also known as Mrs Mummypenny – is recognised for her …

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More Children Turn To Childline During Summer As They Struggle With Eating Disorders And Body Image Issues

Childline, the counselling service run by the NSPCC, reveals new data showing that 40% of all the counselling sessions they delivered last year on eating disorders and body image took place in the summer months (June to September). Across the whole year – April 2022 to March 2023 – Childline delivered 4,179 counselling sessions across …

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Northern Ireland: Police Must End ‘Appalling’ Practice Of Stop Strip Searching Children

In response to the Policing Board’s human rights review of the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) practice of strip searching children, published today (Tuesday), Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Director, said: “It’s shocking that children as young as 14 are being strip searched by the PSNI. This appalling practice is a serious violation of …

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Over 650 Young People Across NI Participate In Generation Innovation Work Experience Programme

More than 650 young people across Northern Ireland have taken part in Catalyst’s innovative work experience programme, Generation Innovation, gaining exposure to some of the region’s most innovative employers. Generation Innovation is a unique, future-focused work experience programme for 17-18-year-olds designed to empower, enable, and upskill them for the workplace of tomorrow and set them …

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Graduation Celebrations For Dale Farm’s ‘Home Grown Talent’

Dale Farm has recently celebrated the graduation of two of its home-grown team members. Graduating with honour degrees in Food and Drink Manufacture from the College of Agriculture Food & Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Abbie Thompson, Planning and Production Support in Pennybridge and Maria Mullan, Assistant Powder Production Manager in Dunman are not only celebrating their …

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New Service For Economically Inactive Across NI Launches To Combat Unemployment

Enterprise NI and Prince’s Trust team up to deliver Northern Ireland Explore Enterprise Support Service to 1200 people A new service aimed at engaging Northern Ireland’s most economically inactive people was launched by Enterprise NI and Prince’s Trust this week. The new service Northern Ireland Explore Enterprise Support Service (NIEESS), is set to run until …

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Deadline Is Approaching To Apply For This Year’s Boardroom Apprentice

There are only a few days left to apply for this year’s Boardroom Apprentice programme online via the official Boardroom Apprentice website. All applications are to be submitted by 3pm on Monday June 19. Now in its seventh year, the Boardroom Apprentice is a UK first 12-month unique board learning, development and placement programme which …

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Boardroom Apprentice Success: 100% Of Participating Individuals Feel Equipped To Step Into A Future Board Role

Boardroom Apprentice has recently opened its applications for the seventh year of its widely renowned and successful programme, welcoming individuals to take part in the twelve-month scheme. Throughout the year-long programme, people from all backgrounds and abilities are seated with boards across the country, promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry.  Created to provide a …

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Northern Ireland: Police Figures Reveal ‘Deeply Worrying’ Rise In Hate Crimes

New PSNI report shows increase in sectarian, disability and transphobic hate crimes On average, more than eight hate-motivated incidents reported to police every day ‘The police – and the Northern Ireland Executive when it returns – need to get a grip on the scourge of hate crime’ – Patrick Corrigan Responding to a rise in …

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Boardroom Apprentice Paving The Way For Change

 95% Agree Programme Has Improved Diversity Across Boards The 2023 applications now open for this year’s Boardroom Apprentice, marking the programme’s seventh year of enabling individuals from all backgrounds, abilities and ages the opportunity to learn and gain experience. Having already helped 277 people turn their dream of sitting on a board into a reality, …

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Journey Through Time And Place With Belfast Photo Festival This June

Festival returns from 01–30 June for journeys through history, place and perspective Belfast Photo Festival, Northern Ireland’s premier visual arts festival, has revealed its full programme as it prepares to exhibit works from international visual artists in galleries and public spaces throughout the city this June. This year’s compelling works are intended to lead audiences …

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Employees Burn Out Quicker Than Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs have lower levels of burnout compared to employees, reveals research by Aalto University School of Business. The study, conducted by Professor Ewald Kibler, analysed the common beliefs about entrepreneurship and found that entrepreneurial work produces significantly fewer daily work stressors than employed work. It also offers higher levels of beneficial job autonomy, since entrepreneurs …

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These Are The Top 10 Cities In The UK With The Most UFO Sightings – And Northern Ireland Doesn’t Even Feature!

Edinburgh, London and Leicester have been confirmed as the UK’s official UFO hotspots, according to research. The study of 2,000 adults found 18 per cent of residents in the Scottish city are convinced they’ve had a legitimate sighting. They are also most likely to believe aliens exist somewhere in the universe, even if they’ve never …

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Hairdressers And Coffee Shops Are Considered To Be The Friendliest Small Businesses On The High Street

People in the UK consider hairdressers to be the friendliest small businesses on the high street, along with coffee shops, corner shops and newsagents. A survey of 2,000 UK adults also found 35 per cent consider at least one independent shop owner as a pal. The local pub, fish and chip shop, restaurant and butcher …

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Women Are Embarrassed Talking About Their Bodies: 2% Whisper When Ordering Intimate Products At The Shop

Women are embarrassed when talking about their own bodies with more than a fifth (21 per cent) – even whispering or using a lowered voice – to order intimate products from behind the counter. The UK’s biggest ‘vagina study’, of 5,000 women, found they feel uncomfortable discussing anything to do with their private parts and …

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Where Would You Like To Retire? Here Are The Top 10 Countries People In The UK Want To Go

New research has revealed the top 10 countries people in the UK want to spend their retirement in, with Spain placing first. Equity release specialists at Retirement Solutions analysed the average monthly Google search volume for different terms relating to retiring abroad. They wanted to determine the countries that people are most seeking to move …

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1 In 4 Hay Fever Sufferers Have Been Accused Of ‘Making It Up’

A poll of 1,500 adults who have the seasonal allergy found 19 per cent believe those who don’t have it are unsympathetic to their ailments. In fact, 70 per cent of sufferers dread the impact of hay fever, with 29 per cent taking days off work because symptoms have been so bad. While 29 per …

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Raising Daughters’ Nudges Men To Understand Women’s Struggles and Thus Support Gender Equality

Having daughters can permanently affect male CEOs’ gender-related attitudes in business, human resourcing and governance priorities, making them more inclined towards supporting women’s struggles for equality, according to new research from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM). The researchers found that fathering an additional daughter versus a son, which is naturally random, is associated …

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10 Instagrammable Places In Belfast 

By Joanna Massey and Jack Graham Whether you’re looking to take a picture with stunning architecture, colourful street art or unique quirky pubs, Belfast has it all. The city offers a diverse range of Instagrammable places that are sure to delight both tourists and locals alike, so make sure you visit the vibrant and dynamic …

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Stop Food Waste Day: UK Food Price Inflation Reaches Its Highest Level In 45 Years

In a world of rampant inflation, with UK food basics rising in cost over the past year by 80%, the nation is becoming more money-conscious than ever, as highlighted in SaveMoneyCutCarbon‘s landmark research that has revealed 41% of the population said they’ve had to cut their overall food costs significantly to afford their energy bills. In turn, money-saving expert through …

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A Fifth Of Adults Wrongly Believe Alzheimer’s And Dementia Are The Same

A poll of 2,000 people has revealed the biggest misconceptions about dementia, with 17 per cent believing that if a family member develops the condition, it means they will too. Other confusions include it being inevitable with age, only affecting older adults and that prevention is possible. Just over a third (34 per cent) always …

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Secretary Of State and Tánaiste Celebrate Integrated Education

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin held a joint reception at W5 in Belfast to celebrate Integrated Education on Thursday 6 April 2023. The event was arranged for stakeholders from Integrated Education including school principals, the Integrated AlumNI and Integrated Education charities to demonstrate the shared commitment of the …

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Mournes Hiking Challenge To Help The Homeless

East Belfast Mission (EBM) is inviting teams and individuals to take part in a ‘7x7s Mourne Challenge’ to raise much needed funds for its homelessness services. The ‘7x7s’ trail is approximately 18 miles long and includes the seven highest Mourne peaks from Slieve Donard at 853m to Slieve Meelmore at 687m. The hike usually takes …

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Schools Back Bid To Plant a Million Trees

School children from across Northern Ireland took part in a nationwide campaign this month to plant a million trees, to combat climate change. Students from St Nicholas PS, Downpatrick; St Paul’s Primary School, Irvinestown, Rosstulla Special School in Newtownabbey and Sacred Heart Primary School in Tattyreagh, Omagh; have joined over 300 schools from across Ireland …

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Dr Ballard Returns To Titanic Belfast To Discover New Gallery In His Honour

Dr Robert Ballard, the man who famously discovered the wreck of RMS Titanic, was in Belfast on Friday the 31st of March to see the new gallery, Ballard’s Quest, which was unveiled earlier this month in his honour as part of the reimagined Titanic Experience. The visit marked Titanic Belfast’s 11th birthday and gave Dr …

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People In Glasshouses By M.R. O’Donnell

Have you ever felt like you were living in a glasshouse?  Vulnerable to the world and constantly on display?  That’s the feeling explored in M.R. O’Donnell’s forthcoming book titled ‘People in Glasshouses’.  But it’s not just about the physical structure, it’s about the restoration and transformation of self. Just like a glasshouse needs constant care …

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Consumer Council Offers Top Travel Tips For Easter

With Easter just around the corner and the countdown on until the break, The Consumer Council has urged those travelling over the holidays to plan ahead. As travelling at popular times can be busier and more stressful, The Consumer Council has also put together some tips to help your Easter journeys go as smoothly as …

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Software Developer Settles Disability Discrimination Case

Stephen Campbell, a software developer has settled his disability discrimination case against both his former employer the Western Health and Social Care Trust and the HSC Business Services Organisation (BSO) for £3,000. The case was settled without admission of liability and was supported by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. Stephen worked in the ICT …

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Belfast Central Library Steps In To Support Arson Hit Businesses

Libraries NI has provided a creative space for four businesses whose offices were destroyed in the devastating fire in Cathedral Buildings in October 2022. Organised by Damien Corr, BID manager, Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) working with Julie Reid Deputy Head of Service, Libraries NI, the library has given the space free for a …

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Ulster University Announces Programme To Mark The 25th Anniversary Of The Belfast Good Friday Agreement

Year-long arts programme leads the activity to commemorate the pivotal moment in time, 25 years ago and includes new, exclusive commissions 25@25: a new leadership programme will be launched to support and develop 25 leaders of tomorrow from a host of different sectors Finding your voice – Lyra’s Literary Legacy: a youth project in the Northwest will explore the role of journalism …

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