Together for Families project presented at Stormont All-Party Group on Children and Young People
30 June 2026
The National Lottery Community Fund joined colleagues from the Department of Health and the voluntary and community sector to introduce the Together for Families project at the first formal meeting of the re-established All-Party Group on Children and Young People at Stormont in June.
Cara Hunter, Social Democratic and Labour Party Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), hosted the online session. It brought together MLAs representing parties from across the political spectrum, sector representatives and other partners to hear how the £59.2 million project will strengthen support for children, young people and families across Northern Ireland.
Together for Families is a three-year partnership between the Department of Health and The National Lottery Community Fund. It combines £29.2 million from the Public Sector Transformation Fund with a £30 million strategic investment from The National Lottery Community Fund, made possible thanks to National Lottery players.
Speakers at the event included:
Eilís McDaniel, Director of Social Care Reform at the Department of Health
Deirdre Mahon and Jacinta Linden, Co-Directors of Together for Families
Natasha Duddy, Programme Manager
Kate Beggs, Northern Ireland Director of The National Lottery Community Fund
They explained how Together for Families will help families access earlier, more joined-up support through 29 Family Support Hubs. These hubs will deliver enhanced local services and stronger partnership working across Northern Ireland, in:
health
education
justice
communities
voluntary and community sector
Together for Families is an opportunity to build on the expertise, relationships and commitment already present in communities across Northern Ireland. By working together, we can help ensure families receive support earlier, in ways that are compassionate, connected and shaped around what matters to them. This is an opportunity to build something truly transformational.
Kate Beggs - Northern Ireland Director of The National Lottery Community Fund
The discussion highlighted the importance of prevention, learning and ensuring the voluntary and community sector is recognised as an equal partner in delivering support and shaping longer-term change.
Read more about Together for Families
Kate Beggs shares further reflections on Together for Families and the importance of partnership working in a recent LinkedIn article.