NWCN Ebulletin 28 July 2021

1 ‌The Pilgrim Trust - Young Women and Mental Health PLUS is now open
2 Barclays' £100m COVID-19 Community Aid Package
3 Mutual Respect Grant fund
4 Energy for Generations Fund
5 ScottishPower Foundation: General Grants
6 An invitation - Creating Connections Participatory Budgeting - Launch Mon 23rd Aug
7 Elevate Mentoring and Grants Programme
8 Public trust and confidence in charities research available now
9 The Northern Ireland Assembly Secretariat Survey
10 Victim & Witness survey
11 Give us your views on the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill
12 Invite | 'A vision of how education should be delivered in the 21st century'
13 Youthlife Heartbeats project
14 Latest Offers from Salto Youth
15 Job Opportunities with REACH Across
16 Job Opportunity with In Your Space Circus
17 Seeking Expression of Interest from Artists/Facilitators for DCSDC 
18 Exciting Public Appointment Opportunities In The Further Education Colleges
19 A Moment For Light - Creating Mandalas for Self-Healing and the Planet
20 Online Recovery College
21 Big increase in numbers testing positive for COVID - Messages from PHA
22 Avoid parcel delivery scams with top tips from the Consumer Council

1 The Pilgrim Trust - Young Women and Mental Health PLUS is now open

We are delighted to announce our new £5 million funding programme over the next 5-years (2021-2026) that aims to improve the mental health of young women (16-25) in the UK. The Young Women and Mental Health PLUS fund will support access for young women to high quality, age and gender informed mental health services. 

For our pilot first year, we are focusing on charities with an annual income of between £100,000 to £500,000 working in Greater Manchester or Northern Ireland.

There is one funding round a year for the programme and the funding round for 2021 is now open.

Three-year funding of between £60,000 to £90,000 is available.

We are keen to work closely with our first cohort to learn from their experiences and to guarantee the high quality of the programme. We foresee opening the programme to the rest of the UK in following years.

Make sure you read our new Funding Guidelines and FAQs carefully and go to our Apply for a Grant webpage to learn more.

The closing date for applications is 20 September 2021.

Full details available 
here 

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2 Barclays' £100m COVID-19 Community Aid Package

Barclays is committed to helping its customers, clients, colleagues, and the wider community deal with the unprecedented social and economic crisis caused by COVID-19.

Through the Barclays £100m COVID-19 Community Aid Package, we’re partnering with charities around the world that are delivering vital support in the communities where we live and work. We’re also matching colleagues’ donations and active fundraising efforts to the charities of their choice that are delivering COVID-19 relief efforts.

Apply to receive a £100,000 donation
From 12 July, UK charities are invited to apply to receive one of 50 donations of £100,000 to support people impacted by COVID-19. Eligibility criteria apply. Applications close at 6pm (UK) on Friday 6 August 2021.

Full details available here

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 Mutual Respect Grant fund

Here at Nationwide Building Society, we want to help create a society that's built on mutual respect. Which is why we’ve partnered with Football Associations across the UK to help promote respect on and off the pitch.

If you and your club are passionate about building mutual respect within grassroots football, then why not see if you qualify to apply for one of our grants.

50 clubs will be chosen to receive a grant of £1000 each.

How to apply
Simply complete the 
application form, telling us about your club and why mutual respect is important to you.

The promotion is open to football clubs in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

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4 Energy for Generations Fund

The Electricity Supply Board have created the Energy for Generations Fund for charities in both Northern Ireland & Republic of Ireland, we have three main pillars of focus:
  • Suicide
  • Homelessness
  • Education Access and Support
Our aim with the Energy for Generations Fund is to maximise the impact of our investment by taking a more strategic approach to effect change. Funding is only part of the jigsaw – we also want to leverage the skills and knowledge we have within the company to bring about more sustainable and positive outcomes.

Deadlines:
Round 3 - Wednesday 4th August  
Round 4 - Wednesday 13th October

Full details available 
here

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5 ScottishPower Foundation: General Grants

We are now accepting applications for a share of our 2022 funding pot. For the current round of funding we are inviting applications ranging from £35,000 to £200,000.  All applications should be made online and submitted by 1pm on Friday 6th August 2021. 

We particularly welcome applications that will support the most vulnerable people in society. Your application must address at least one of the ScottishPower Foundation’s strategic aims:

  • Education, Training and Research
    To support education, training and research in general, prioritising innovation in order to contribute to energy sustainability.
  • Biodiversity and Climate Change
    To support the protection of the environment and to increase biodiversity, to actively contribute in the fight against climate change.
  • Art and Culture 
    To protect and safeguard artistic and cultural heritage by promoting conservation and restoration of the arts and supporting local development.
  • Social Initiatives
    To contribute to sustainable human development by supporting the most vulnerable people and groups.

Full details available here

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6  An invitation - Creating Connections Participatory Budgeting - Launch Mon 23rd Aug

Do you have an Idea that can help Create Connections? 
Would you like up to £500 to make your idea happen?

You could Create Connections by bringing new folk together to work on an idea for the common good and then, together, bid for funds for you to deliver that idea.
OR
You could work on an idea that itself will Create new Connections and bring folk together for the common good. 

The Creating Connections Participatory Budgeting process will launch Mon Aug 23rd.
Keep your eye out for more information sent on this mailing list each week until then.

The Creating Connections Participatory Budgeting Design Team:
Miriam, Wendy, Bríd, Roisín, Marilyn, Becca, Cara, Bridget, Noeleen, Marian, Louise, Ruth


https://www.cfctogether.org/pbintro 

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 7 Elevate Mentoring and Grants Programme

Elevate provides a unique opportunity for community organisations to put their collective learning on health inequalities into practice in a supportive and encouraging environment. One of the elements of Elevate is the Community Mentoring & Grants programme. We are delighted to say that the Elevate Community Mentoring & Grants Programme 2021 is now open!

Group mentoring allows local organisations to make connections, build networks, share information and ideas and support each other in their work. We have partnered with five organisations (one in each Trust area) that demonstrate excellent community development practice and a solid commitment to tackling health inequalities. These are Mid & East Antrim Agewell Partnership, Bolster Community, County Down Rural Community Network, Women’sTec and ARC Healthy Living Centre. These mentors will each support local organisations through a structured Mentorship Programme which offers a range of training, networking and support opportunities as well as a grant so the successful groups can bring their ideas to life, focusing on using community development approaches to reduce health inequalities at a local level.

The closing date for applications is Monday 2nd August 2021. 

Please find links to the application form and guidance notes below.

Click here to download 
Application Form
Click here to download Guidance Notes

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8 Public trust and confidence in charities research available now

The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has published its latest research examining public trust and confidence in charities. 

“The public come into regular contact with many charities and can often have a clear picture of how they work and what they contribute to our society. Sometimes they perceive charities to be simpler and bigger organisations than they are," said Nicole Lappin, Chief Charity Commissioner for Northern Ireland (pictured above, at the research launch).
 
“The public can also have strong views on charities – they want them to do more with less, they demand higher ethical standards than they do of many other sectors and they are impacted by media scandals that involve charities.
 
“The Commission is tasked with increasing public trust and confidence in charities and I welcome this research as an important tool to help us understand what influences public trust and confidence and what can help increase confidence in the sector.”

The research was conducted by an independent agency on behalf of the Commission earlier this year and gathered the views of 1,500 adults on issues including their perception of charities and what influences trust and confidence in charities.

The full research report is available to read or download from the Commission's website 
here, where you can also view the first in a series of research snapshot reports, entitled Overall trust and confidence in charities and charity regulation

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9  The Northern Ireland Assembly Secretariat Survey

NWMF are encouraging everyone from a BME background to compete the following survey on 'Good Relations Action Plan, 2021 – 2025 from The Northern Ireland Assembly Secretariat:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3Q9X8PC

Recent analysis has revealed to The Northern Ireland Assembly Secretariat that the level of engagement with Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) communities of Northern Ireland is currently very low. 
 
To this end, they wish to use the information from the survey to identify any barriers or obstacles which might prevent or limit such engagement; and how these barriers can be overcome.
 
It is vital that as many people as possible complete the survey as the findings will inform the development of the government's 'Good Relations Action Plan'. Therefore, we want the information to be as relevant and accurate as possible. 
 
Please also know that this questionnaire is anonymous and completely confidential and should take less than 10 minutes to complete. 
 
The survey closes on Friday, 6 August. 

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10 Victim & Witness survey

Victim Support NI are gathering the views and experiences of victims of all types of crime to help inform our response to the DOJ’s Victim & Witness Strategy consultation. We want to hear from victims who reported their crime, victims who didn’t, people who supported a friend or a family member who was a victim, and professionals working in the field supporting victims.

Here’s the link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CM5V9NF

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11 Give us your views on the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill

The Economy Committee is currently gathering evidence on the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill. If passed, this Bill will require the Minister for the Economy to introduce regulations creating a legal requirement for all employers to grant a minimum of two weeks of Parental Bereavement Leave, with pay (if eligible) at the statutory flat rate. This would give parents the opportunity to grieve without feeling the pressure of having to be at work at such a challenging time.

The Economy Committee wants to ensure that this legislation works for both bereaved parents who find themselves in such difficult circumstances, and for employers who administer the statutory entitlements.

Please let the Committee know your views by completing the short survey below by Monday 16th August at 5:00PM.


Take our Survey Here
You can view a copy of the Bill and Explanatory Memorandum* by following this link.

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12 Invite | 'A vision of how education should be delivered in the 21st century'

Join us for a short presentation and panel discussion on the question of how education should be delivered in our society in the 21st century, also outlined as a key focus of the upcoming Independent Review of Education.
 
Date/time: Friday 6 August at 12.30pm
 
To register, please visit: 
https://avisionofeducation.eventbrite.co.uk
 
This online event will take place as part of the August 2021 Féile an Phobail and will include a presentation by Ulster University's Transforming Education project followed by a youth panel discussion. The event will be chaired by broadcaster Jim Fitzpatrick.
 
As this is a pre-recorded event, please feel free to submit any questions that you may have for the speakers and panel no later than Mon 26 July at 1pm. Also, please circulate this invite to any of your contacts that may be interested in this event.
 
To submit questions, please visit: 
https://forms.gle/DYAAKVPv62MSP5nL8
If you'd like more information on the event, please email: jessica@ief.org.uk

 
Details of how to join the event will be shared with those who have registered before the event.

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13 Youthlife Heartbeats project

Youthlife offer support to children and young people aged 5-25 who have experienced bereavement, separation, or the loss of a significant person. 
 
The Heartbeats project is for young people aged 13-23

We have 3 current offers for music and creative therapies to support young people:
  1. Participation in Hip Hop Music therapy with North West Hip Hop; confidence building workshops
  2.  
  3. OCN qualification using Hip Hop music and culture as a creative medium: music production, performance, or creative writing options
And/or
  1. Short courses in Virtual reality in partnership with 'making the future' at the nerve centre :
  2. Learn the tricks of virtual and augmented reality to tell a story unique to you in this innovative programme!
- Learn how to use 360 video cameras to capture a unique film
- Design and code your own virtual space to create a 'museum of me'
- Use augmented reality to develop your own interactive poster designs
- Receive your own VR headset to view your unique creations
- Gain a qualification

If you know or are working with a young person who has experienced loss and may enjoy music or Virtual Reality projects with the support of our counselling team, please click and return this expression of interest form:

https://forms.office.com/r/5TgpZLc9Wr

Please contact Caroline for any further information on manager@youthlife.org / 028 7137 7227

14 Latest Offers from Salto Youth

Please see attached document for all the latest training opportunities from Salto Youth, including:

  • Communication Academy
  • A.C.T. for Democracy (Active Citizens Together for Democracy)
  • FOCUS: Learning
  • Transferring local youth participation in decision-making processes to the digital sphere

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15 Job Opportunities with REACH Across

REACH Across  - F/T Temporary Positions  (Closing Date is Mon 2nd Aug at 5pm)
 
1)  Education Development Officer  (Oct 2021 - Mar 2022 - funded by N.I Executive Office
The postholder will be required to plan and deliver accredited and non-accredited Citizenship and Leadership courses in schools and to arrange education visits relating to Good Relations
2)  Youth Education Officer  (Sept 2021 - Mar 2022)  - funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund
The postholder will be required to plan and deliver shared history and shared education sessions in schools and youth clubs, relating to political and social events over the past 100 years, The postholder will also arrange relevant education visits and groupwork residentials for schools and youth clubs
 
Queries to:  
reach_across@hotmail.com or ring 07854833371

Education Development Worker & Youth Education Officer Application form
Education Development Officer Job Description 
Youth Education Officer Job Description 

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16 Job Opportunity with In Your Space Circus

In Your Space Circus (IYSC) is seeking an exceptional candidate for the role of Circus Education Director. This exciting position will involve taking IYSC’s Circus School to the next level.

We are looking for a self-starter with experience in creative education and a passion for the arts as a vehicle for social and personal development. They will become part of a close-knit team with big ambitions and lots of exciting plans on the horizon.

There will be plenty of potential for shaping and developing this new role, in line with the Company strategy and IYSC’s values and priorities.

So if this sounds like something you (or someone you know) would love to grab by the scruff of the neck…then please get in touch!
Contact details: Cath McBride, Company Director 
cath@inyourspaceni.org / 02871377113

Please note, the application deadline is Monday 6th September @ 4pm


Application form
Application Information 

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17 Seeking Expression of Interest from Artists/Facilitators for DCSDC

Derry City and Strabane District Council is seeking to expand its pool of freelance artists and facilitators to support the delivery of a range of programmes across Good Relations, Arts and Culture and Events. 
 
We are looking for artists and facilitators to design, develop and deliver inspiring, engaging, challenging and exciting workshops, activities and programmes with and for a range of people. We are keen to attract people with a diverse range of art forms/backgrounds and who are interested in and have experience of working with a range of individuals and groups.  We invite individuals, partnerships or organisations to register with us.
 
Please click link below to completed the expression of interest:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7JHBVT5
 
Or if you require a hard copy of this form please email 
pauline.oneill@derrystrabame.com
 and a form will be sent to you.
 

Closing date is Friday 6th August 12.00pm

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18 Exciting Public Appointment Opportunities In The Further Education Colleges

Northern Ireland’s Further Education Colleges help meet the educational and training needs of our economy.

Governing Body Members play a key role in supporting colleges to meet the requirements of both learners and employers.

There are a number of vacancies:

  • Belfast Metropolitan College - 4 Vacancies
  • Northern Regional College - 7 Vacancies
  • North West Regional College - 9 Vacancies
  • Southern Regional College - 4 Vacancies
  • South West College - 8 Vacancies

The positions are remunerated at: £250 per Governing Body meeting; £150 per Committee meeting/other event; and eligible travel/subsistence costs are paid.

  • Appointments are to be effective from the end of 2021 for an initial term of four years.
  • You can expect to commit around one day per month to College business. This includes attendance at 12 - 15 full (evening) Governing Body and Committee meetings per year and representing the College at meetings/public events.

Applications are welcome from people of varying backgrounds across the community, voluntary, business or public sector, who can bring a wide range of skills and experience to the role. Knowledge of the further education sector is not essential.
 
Following an initial sift of all applications, candidates selected for interview will be assessed against 2 criteria with interviews expected to last approximately 20 minutes.
 
For more information on the positions including responsibilities and selection criteria, and to download or request an application pack please click on the 'Apply Now' button below.
 
Alternatively:
Telephone 028 9025 7634 or
Email 
pau@economy-ni.gov.uk
 
The closing date for applications is 12 noon (UK Time) on 19 August 2021. 
 
DfE would particularly welcome applications from women, people with a disability, those from ethnic minorities and young people as they are all currently under-represented. A Guaranteed Interview Scheme, for applicants with a disability, will operate for this competition.


Apply Now !

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19 A Moment For Light - Creating Mandalas for Self-Healing and the Planet

31st Jul - 1st Aug, 12.00pm - 2.30pm
Echo Echo Studios, Magazine Street 
Workshop given over two days
Cost £65.00
Min 6 people Max 11
(Please reserve your place by Wednesday 28th July)

Outline For Day

This full day workshop over two sessions will focus on two areas of support.
Firstly, it will offer a space of selfhealing and the opportunity to renew a little one's personal energy fields while addressing areas of personal need for highest good at this time. Secondly, we will strengthen our unique link with the light, touching a higher place of resonance allowing this higher vibration to be grounded deeply into our lives in the present moment to support moving forward. As part of the day, we will also offer Planetary Healing through Mandala work, Sound and Light for the Earth humanity and the generations to come.

The day will include amongst other things:
  • Mediation and Visualization
  • Clearing Grounding protecting and strengthening one's personal energy with crystals
  • Strengthening personal link with the light
  • In depth discernment and inner development work.
  • Looking at the energetic relevance of prayer the meeting of spirituality with energy awareness
  • Understanding the presence of light and the generation of meaning in terms of spirituality
  • Creativity and Light the Art of Energy Awareness
  • Offering Healing mandala together for Earth Healing and Future Generations with Crystals and Named Angelic

The day is facilitated by Liam Christopher MA BA SEP, a highly experienced teacher of Subtle Energy Medicine, specializing in Sound Healing through Chant. For 10 years Liam coordinated a free community-healing clinic in Derry with graduate and student therapists in Subtle Energy Medicine. He has worked in Ireland, London and America and more recently has been offering both development and crisis healing/mediation space/work globally named “Epoche of Light”, offering voluntary pastoral support different areas of Social and community need through Covid.


The day is for anyone who is open to energy work and personal/spiritual development and looking for space currently for energetic renewal strength and clarity moving forward.

Contact Liam for more information and booking - email Subtlelight@icloud.com

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20 Online Recovery College

Ireland’s First Online Recovery College Launched

As we continue on the path towards Covid-19 recovery, it is more important than ever people have access to the tools and resources to support their mental health and wellbeing.

The first of its kind across the island of Ireland, the online college was jointly launched by Minister of Health for Northern Ireland, Robin Swann, and Ireland’s Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler.

The online platform will complement existing Zoom sessions currently delivered through the Innovation Recovery Project. 
mymentalhealthrecovery.com will deliver mental health recovery education across the 12 border counties in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The college will also deliver a wide range of free, local educational courses which promote mental health well-being and recovery.

The new online recovery tool will adopt a modern, flexible learning experience and provide a range of support, training and practical tools to promote hope, optimism and recovery. The online Recovery College will enable remote online learning for those who do not traditionally engage due to either personal reasons related to their illness, or geographical inaccessibility such as those living in rural communities.

Watch online demo

Online learning offers improved ease of access for participants, with courses available on multiple devices meaning they can be experienced in the comfort of your own home, avoiding the need for travel.
Read More

Interested? Click here to register for free

Course Timetables
We also offer a range of courses across our three hub areas, West, South and East. Our hub courses are currently delivered online via Zoom.

Click to view course timetables*
*you need to register or login to view upcoming timetables

If you are interested in booking a course, or, for more information about a course you can get in touch with each hub using the contact information below:

West Hub
Locations: Derry/Londonderry, Strabane, Donegal
Tel: NI (028) 7129 6183 or ROI 087 469 7966

Interested in a course? Click to contact West Hub
21 Big increase in numbers testing positive for COVID - Messages from PHA

Now is the time to get your COVID vaccine, it has never been easier.
To find out where the clinics are taking place visit 
www.pha.site/mobilevaccine.

Alternatively if you are over 40, you can also book to receive the AstraZeneca vaccination at your local pharmacy through the vaccine booking website 
covid-19.hscni.net/get-vaccinated.

All regional vaccination centres continue to offer vaccination appointment bookings for first doses. To book online go to 
covid-19.hscni.net/get-vaccinated
. Appointments can also be made using the telephone service 0300 200 7813.

Options for booking your vaccine include:
  1. Vaccine centres - walk-in or booking available for aged 18+
  2. Pharmacies - booking available for over 40s only
  3. Mobile clinics  -  mobile vaccination clinics are in a number of locations for people aged 18+
Bust those vaccine myths - It’s important to be informed about the COVID-19 vaccine. Get facts from a reliable source: pha.site/vaccineinformation

Get tested if you develop symptoms

We are urging everyone to stick to key public health advice and exercise caution over the coming days and weeks, particularly with regards to social gatherings. Read more 
here
.
This matters, even after vaccination.
  • Wear a face covering indoors where social distancing isn’t possible, and where it’s required, such as in shops, shopping centres, taxis, public transport and banks.
  • Wear your face covering properly and handle it appropriately with clean hands, so it can provide the maximum level of protection.
  • Keep a distance of at least 2m (around 6ft) between you and anyone outside of your household.
  • Wash your hands properly and regularly. Use sanitiser when hand washing isn’t possible.
  • Keep indoor areas well-ventilated.
If you sneeze or cough, ‘catch it, bin it, kill it.’  
22 Avoid parcel delivery scams with top tips from the Consumer Council

As consumers in Northern Ireland continue to do more online shopping due to the impact of COVID-19, the Consumer Council has compiled some top tips to help them avoid becoming victims of parcel delivery scams.
 
Michael Legg, Interim Head of Postal Policy at the Consumer Council said, “Scammers are claiming to be from legitimate organisations, such as the bank, telecom providers, HMRC and parcel delivery companies. Over the last year, with the increase in online shopping and sending parcels to loved ones, a growing scam involves consumers receiving an email or text message about a fake parcel delivery. The message or email asks consumers to click on a link to reschedule a delivery or pay a small fee to have an item delivered, and fraudsters use these details to scam the victim out of money.
 
“To help increase consumers’ knowledge and avoid being scammed, we have compiled some top tips to help consumers stay safe against this type of scam”.
 
The Consumer Council’s top tips are as follows:
  • Do not click on links in an email or text message - if you are genuinely expecting a delivery, contact the seller/sender directly to ask what parcel company they have used and when your order will be delivered.
  • Never share personal or banking information - such as your bank sort code, account number or password.
  • Check if the message is personal - does it include your first and last name? Does it refer to a genuine online order you recently placed? If not this is a sign it is probably a scam.
  • Watch out for spelling and grammar mistakes - this is often a sign of a scam.
  • Check the web address of the website you are being directed to - make sure the link matches the parcel company’s genuine website.
  • Report suspicious texts – forward suspicious texts to 7726 to report them to your operator. An easy way to remember this number is it spells SPAM on your keypad. 
Michael added, Scammers are becoming more sophisticated so it is more important than ever that consumers remain vigilant when they receive messages asking them to click on a link so they can arrange a parcel delivery. Our research shows that less than half of Northern Ireland consumers know where to report a scam, which is concerning as 40% have been targeted by a scam in the last three years.
 
“For more top tips on how to spot and avoid various types of scams, visit our website 
www.consumercouncil.org.uk/scams.”
 
If you think you have targeted by a scam report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or the PSNI on 101

 

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