Contact
Northern Ireland

Our team in Northern Ireland is here to support you and your family.

Our Northern Ireland team offers support, advice and information to families with disabled children, no matter what their condition or disability.

Our Outreach Workers and Family Support Advisers work directly with families and professionals, providing assistance with inquiries, hosting information sessions and organising workshops to ensure that families of disabled children get the support they need.

What we do

Information sessions

We regularly attend charity and public sector events to meet parents, stakeholders and professionals,and to provide information and support. For more information on our sessions, please email us on the details below.

Workshops

We provide workshops for parents of disabled children in Northern Ireland. Topics including building confidence, benefits and welfare, money management, transitions and other information about caring for your child. 

Workshops and events

Support groups

We can help you find support groups working in Northern Ireland for essential practical and emotional support. To find local and national groups, call our free phone helpline on 0808 888 3555 or email us on the details below.

Campaigns & policy work

We meet with policy makers, take part in consultations and produce reports and briefings to ensure that the voices of Northern Irish parent carers are heard.

You can read more about campaigns and consultations on our news pages.

Latest news

The information & advice pages on our website cover a wide range of topics, from social care to preparing for adult life. You’ll find advice related to Northern Ireland within each section.

Working with professionals

Talks & presentations

We deliver talks and presentations to social services, local health trusts, public services and community groups. We welcome opportunities to meet parents, stakeholders and professionals as well as opportunities to raise awareness.

For more information, please email us on the details below.

Information requests

We support all types of professionals, from healthcare to government, with specialist information about disabilities and disability provision. Email us on the details below to find out more.

Parternships & policy

We work with partners in local government and the voluntary and public sectors to make sure families of disabled children are considered and prioritised by decision makers. To find out more about working with us, please email us on the details below.

Get in touch

For general enquiries. please email nireland.office@contact.org.uk.

You can also email our team individually using the details below.

Our teams & projects

Preparing Parents for Transitions Project

Supported by the National Lottery until June 2024, our project helps parent carers to navigate the transition process as their child moves into adult services and adult life.

We provide information on local community support and provision, and the legal and financial changes that impact families during transition. We also help parents to understand their role and how they can support their young person, as well as helping parents in their role as caregivers.

Ursula McWilliams, Transitions Outreach Worker
Email: ursula.mcwilliams@contact.org.uk 

Angie McCabe, Transitions Outreach Worker
Email: Angie.McCabe@contact.org.uk

Family Support Project, Northern Trust Area

Supported by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust until March 2025, our team of experienced Family Support Advisers accept referrals from hubs and self-referrals from parents.

We offer comprehensive information on a wide range of topics, including benefits and financial support. Our advisers also provide a listening ear for parents who need to talk, address caregiver challenges, offer support, and conduct information sessions for groups.

Virginia Maxwell, Family Support Advisor 
Email: virginia.maxwell@contact.org.uk 

Karen Patterson, Family Support Advisor 
Email: karen.patterson@contact.org.uk 

Management, Policy and Partnerships

Susan Walls, Head of Programmes, Northern Ireland
Email: susan.walls@contact.org.uk

Marketing and Communications

Caroline Thorley, Digital and Communications Officer
Email: caroline.thorley@contact.org.uk

Find us on Facebook

Contact NI Facebook

Stay up to date with the latest events, workshops, news and campaigns on our NI Facebook page.

Contact NI Facebook