Front line workers invited to avail of Poverty Awareness Training workshop

The Poverty Awareness Training workshop is being delivered by Barnardo's NI, in partnership with Derry City and Strabane District Council, on May 17, 2021, to support all public and voluntary sector workers to address some of the challenges facing those living with poverty.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Brian Tierney urged eligible candidates to consider the course to allow them to provide the best possible support to those struggling financially.

"Sadly poverty affects a significant proportion of the population of our Council area and can have a crippling impact on many people's lives," he said.

"This can include their mental health and wellbeing, their ability to develop skills, find or maintain employment and threaten their basic needs such as access to food and housing.

"This course aims to give our front line workers a better understanding of the causes of poverty and increase their knowledge of the existing services, resources and connections within the Council area and what they can offer for residents living with poverty and guidance on signposting."

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By the end of the course, participants will have an understanding of the nature, roots and causes of poverty, including child poverty and an understanding of the relationship between poverty and health (including mental health and wellbeing), substance use and offending.

The course will also provide an overview of services within the Council area, what they offer for residents living with poverty and guidance on signposting and an understanding of the changes and improvements that can be made to work practices to support those in financial hardship.

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The course will be delivered via Zoom by Course Tutor Rioghnach Murphy, Assistant Director for Children's Services, Barnardo's NI.

To register for the course contact [email protected] for an application form.

The number of places on the course is capped at 30 and places are therefore limited to two per organisation.