Professor Siobhan O’Neill’s role as Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland is equally rewarding and challenging. However, she asserts that beginning and ending each day with her five-year-old daughter Annabelle grounds her and keeps her focused on working for a better Northern Ireland for the next generation. A Professor of Mental Health Sciences at Ulster University for 23 years and…
Often the biggest victims of domestic violence are the smallest. Ending up as collateral damage, children’s lives are blighted into adulthood. However, a new programme currently rolling out in Northern Ireland is doing something about that. Operation Encompass, which has already been successfully piloted here, provides a vital school-based intervention for the thousands of children affected by domestic abuse every year.…
Anna McKeever has created an original piece of artwork – Cavehill at Sunrise – to be raffled off to raise money for Darkness into Light’s 14 partner charities in Northern Ireland. When Belfast-based doctor-turned-artist Anna McKeever was approached to be an Electric Ireland ambassador for the 2023 Darkness into Light campaign, it was an invitation she was only too happy to accept. “I knew as soon as I…
Local Women’s Anita McGurgan returns to the place of her studies on the North Coast and checks out the stunning, one-stop-resort for the perfect staycation. As a former graduate of University of Ulster Coleraine, the North Coast and in particular Portrush will always hold a very special place in my heart. With its endless places of natural beauty to visit…
When it came to playing the role of rookie PSNI cop Annie Conlon in new BBC One drama Blue Lights, Cookstown actress Katherine Devlin knew exactly how she wanted to portray her. “I was so drawn to the character of Annie and knew instantly what type of person she was because I know women like her,” says Katherine. “I grew up with them and…
It’s taken around 20 years but Mid Ulster woman Sara Keenan has finally learned to accept herself. Growing up as a mixed-race girl in rural Tyrone, and with her African dad not in her life until recently, Sara was surrounded by mostly white people, and put pressure on herself to fit in. When lockdown hit, the 23-year-old from Pomeroy finally…
When Bellaire first opened its doors in 2009, it quickly became Belfast’s premiere destination for all things hair and beauty. Thirteen years on and the business has continued to go from strength to strength and has recently enjoyed a makeover of its own, thanks to an extensive refurbishment. Explaining why it was time for a change, owner Carly Bell Hoey says: “When we first…
“With its spring inspired colours, this is the perfect top for when you want to layer up. It would be just fab over a high neck button blouse.” “Donuts and muffins are two of our favourite things, so whoever thought of putting them together deserves a very big hug! We don’t care how many calories they have, they’re worth every…
“These royal blue peep toe heels with the sparkly embellishment and pretty ankle straps are so delicate but really pop at the same time.” “This off-the-shoulder and lightweight knit really gives us chilled out vibes. Team with a pair of distressed denims for that awesome Sunday feeling.” “Bring the outside into your bedroom with this vibrant and nature-inspired nightlight.” “If…
A Banbridge-based mum-of-three wants to see more services in Northern Ireland for the increasing numbers of adults diagnosed with ADHD. There were many adjectives used to describe Jocelyn Stewart when she was a teenager. “Overbearing” was a particularly common one, “loud” another. She heard them all. “I was always being told to stop talking. I was a bit in-your-face I…