Dearbhla Holohan (@DervieDotes) header
Dearbhla Holohan (@DervieDotes) profile picture

Dearbhla Holohan

@DervieDotes

Assistant Director Children’s Services @BarnardosNI. Board member @wearemadlug Foundation. Children's rights, justice, ☕️ 🍫 All views my own

 Belfast
Joined January 2011
  • Tweets4.7K
  • Following1.2K
  • Followers846
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Photo by Dearbhla Holohan (@DervieDotes)Photo by Dearbhla Holohan (@DervieDotes)Photo by Dearbhla Holohan (@DervieDotes)Photo by Dearbhla Holohan (@DervieDotes)Photo by Dearbhla Holohan (@DervieDotes)Photo by Dearbhla Holohan (@DervieDotes)Photo by Dearbhla Holohan (@DervieDotes)Photo by Dearbhla Holohan (@DervieDotes)Photo by Dearbhla Holohan (@DervieDotes)Photo by Dearbhla Holohan (@DervieDotes)
Many of us think that getting and keeping paid work protects us from poverty. But our report today challenges that view. 🔎 The reality for people in Northern Ireland is that too many are held back by low pay and significant barriers to work that keep them trapped in hardship.
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Dearbhla Holohan retweeted
Women's Aid NI (@WomensAidNI) profile picture
Women's Aid NI@WomensAidNI2 Sep 2025
🚨IMPORTANT INFO - HIDDEN PHONES🚨 On Sunday 7th September 2025, the UK Government will be testing the Emergency Alert System, which sends loud alerts to mobile phones across the country. (1/2)
Image from Women's Aid NI (@WomensAidNI)
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Women need to talk to each other about this. You would be surprised how many women think cervical smears pick up ovarian cancers. Thank you for all of your efforts to raise awareness 💜
Christine Campbell (@CCampbell162) profile pictureChristine Campbell@CCampbell16211 Aug 2025
If you can, I would be grateful if you could retweet the signs/symptoms of #ovariancancer . Knowing these will empower those with ovaries to talk to their GP and help save lives🩵 Thank you. #Cancer #nopersonleftbehind 🩵
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📢 Children, young people, parents and carers, in Lisburn, Cookstown + Enniskillen 👂Let's continue the conversation about how we can keep children and families safe from harm ✨Massive thanks to everyone who has participated so far in Belfast, Newtownabbey, Armagh and Strabane
Image from Dearbhla Holohan (@DervieDotes)
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Children, young people, parents and carers - join @BarnardosNI this August for in-person or online sessions to share your views and help shape the SBNI’s next four-year Strategic Plan. 👇 Scan the QR code to get involved. 📢 Please share to raise awareness!
Image from Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (@safeguardingni)
Image from Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (@safeguardingni)
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Dearbhla Holohan retweeted
CYPSP in N.Ireland (@cypsp) profile picture
CYPSP in N.Ireland@cypsp29 Jul 2025
🗣️ Children, young people, parents & carers — your voice matters! 📢 Join a @barnardosNI at one of thier consultation sessions to help shape the @safeguardingni 2026–2030 Strategic Plan. Further info & booking🔗cypsp.hscni.net/sbni-consult…
Image with text – arm holding up a megaphone on a cream/green/blue/yellow background promoting your voice matters events for children, young people, parents and carers where they can share their views and influence Safeguarding Board NI’s next 4 year strategic plan.

ALT Image with text – arm holding up a megaphone on a cream/green/blue/yellow background promoting your voice matters events for children, young people, parents and carers where they can share their views and influence Safeguarding Board NI’s next 4 year strategic plan.

Text promoting upcoming dates in August 2025 of your voice matters events for children, young people, parents and carers where they can share their views and influence Safeguarding Board NI’s next 4 year strategic plan.

ALT Text promoting upcoming dates in August 2025 of your voice matters events for children, young people, parents and carers where they can share their views and influence Safeguarding Board NI’s next 4 year strategic plan.

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🗣️ Have your say! 🗣️ Children, young people, parents, and carers - we want to hear from you! Join our in-person or online sessions with @BarnardosNI this August to share your views on the SBNI’s 2026–2030 Strategy. 📲 Scan the QR code to get involved.
Image from Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (@safeguardingni)
Image from Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (@safeguardingni)
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Junior Ministers Aisling Reilly and Pam Cameron met with representatives from @BarnardosNI at the charity’s family centre at Windsor Avenue, Belfast. They were given a tour of the facilities and discussed the vital services that are being provided to support children, young people and families.
Image of five people - Trása Canavan, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Lead, Barnardo's NI; Junior Minister Aisling Reilly; Michele Janes, Director of Barnardo's NI; Junior Minister Pam Cameron; Dearbhla Holohan, Assistant Director of Children’s Services, Barnardo's NI.

ALT Image of five people - Trása Canavan, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Lead, Barnardo's NI; Junior Minister Aisling Reilly; Michele Janes, Director of Barnardo's NI; Junior Minister Pam Cameron; Dearbhla Holohan, Assistant Director of Children’s Services, Barnardo's NI.

Image of five people talking - Trása Canavan, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Lead, Barnardo's NI; Junior Minister Aisling Reilly; Michele Janes, Director of Barnardo's NI; Mukesh Sharma MBE, Chair of the National Advisory Board for Barnardo's NI; Junior Minister Pam Cameron.

ALT Image of five people talking - Trása Canavan, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Lead, Barnardo's NI; Junior Minister Aisling Reilly; Michele Janes, Director of Barnardo's NI; Mukesh Sharma MBE, Chair of the National Advisory Board for Barnardo's NI; Junior Minister Pam Cameron.

Image of four people in the Barnardo's family centre at Windsor Avenue, Belfast - Trása Canavan, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Lead, Barnardo's NI; Junior Minister Aisling Reilly; Junior Minister Pam Cameron; Michele Janes, Director of Barnardo's NI.

ALT Image of four people in the Barnardo's family centre at Windsor Avenue, Belfast - Trása Canavan, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Lead, Barnardo's NI; Junior Minister Aisling Reilly; Junior Minister Pam Cameron; Michele Janes, Director of Barnardo's NI.

Image of five people - Dearbhla Holohan, Assistant Director of Children’s Services, Barnardo's NI; Junior Minister Aisling Reilly; Michele Janes, Director of Barnardo's NI; Junior Minister Pam Cameron; Trása Canavan, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Lead, Barnardo's NI.

ALT Image of five people - Dearbhla Holohan, Assistant Director of Children’s Services, Barnardo's NI; Junior Minister Aisling Reilly; Michele Janes, Director of Barnardo's NI; Junior Minister Pam Cameron; Trása Canavan, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Lead, Barnardo's NI.

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Dearbhla Holohan retweeted
NI Prison Service (@NIPrisons) profile picture
NI Prison Service
@NIPrisons5 Mar 2025
Magilligan Prison recently welcomed Barnardos Parenting Matters service to host a visit for student social workers. Students were able to learn about the service, which works with prisoners and their families to strengthen relationships and reduce the impact of trauma. 1/2
Image from NI Prison Service (@NIPrisons)
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Dearbhla Holohan retweeted
nijobfinder (@nijobfinder) profile picture
nijobfinder@nijobfinder10 Jan 2025
📣 A new opportunity on nijobfinder! @BarnardosNI is hiring a THRiVE Coordinator 📍 Newtownabbey 💼 £42,016-£53,176 🕔 Apply by 24 Jan 2025 👉 Tag or share with someone who might be a great fit! # 🔗nijobfinder.co.uk/jobs/compa…
Image from nijobfinder (@nijobfinder)
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Dearbhla Holohan retweeted
Geraldine (@Geraldi26253624) profile picture
Geraldine@Geraldi262536242 Jan 2025
Great opportunity to join our team as a Personal Adviser @BelfastTrust leaving care Service 🙋‍♂️👫closing date 7th January’25 Please Retweet Thanks
Image from Geraldine (@Geraldi26253624)
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A new review of children and young people and policing, published by the NI Policing Board, has highlighted the scale of human rights breaches facing children and young people when in contact with the police. Read our initial comments at childrenslawcentre.org.uk/ch… More to follow
Fergal McFerran speaking with quote reading: "What is absolutely clear is that significant improvements in policing practices are urgently required" - Fergal McFerran

ALT Fergal McFerran speaking with quote reading: "What is absolutely clear is that significant improvements in policing practices are urgently required" - Fergal McFerran

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🧵 We are at the launch of the @NIPolicingBoard Human Rights Review of Children and Young People and Policing. The Commissioner will be speaking on the recommendations made within the report.
Picture of a launch booklet

ALT Picture of a launch booklet

Picture of a room full of people

ALT Picture of a room full of people

Six people holding up the review underneath a projector screen

ALT Six people holding up the review underneath a projector screen

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This week some absolute legends came together in the beautiful surroundings of Belfast Castle to pack your Christmas Cards, a fundraiser for @WomensAidNI. Cards will begin to arrive with yis W/C 11/11 💚
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Dearbhla Holohan retweeted
Social Enterprise NI (@socentni) profile picture
Social Enterprise NI@socentni8 Nov 2024
🏆Best Use of Social Media Award sponsored by @nihecommunity 🏆 The winner of this category is… @wearemadlug Congratulations! #SocEntNIAwards24
Image from Social Enterprise NI (@socentni)
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Replying to @ncb_ni_tweets @KarenJBateson @ParentInfantFdn @UNICEF_uk
Karen ends by challenging the audience to always include babies when talking about children and young people's mental health and also whether babies is a better descriptor to use than infants. "People don't really know what an infant is." #SpeakUpForBabies
Image from NCB in Northern Ireland (@ncb_ni_tweets)
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Dearbhla Holohan retweeted
Jude (@jucopel) profile picture
Jude@jucopel12 Sep 2024
Thanks so much to all involved. The plaque to the brave Eliza Ward GM has been made suitably beautiful. Thank you to @cward478 for sharing the photo. news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern… #EndGBV
Eliza Ward GM

ALT Eliza Ward GM

Photo of plaque to Eliza Ward GM

ALT Photo of plaque to Eliza Ward GM

Jude (@jucopel) profile pictureJude@jucopel31 Jul 2024
CW: GBV. In the corner of Belfast City Hall, there’s a randomly-placed lonely stone that I’ve never looked at. For 3 days, I’ve been trying, and failing, to take a decent picture. The flowers that were there yesterday have gone. Just want to share because she sounds amazing. 1/
Photo of north east corner of City Hall, Belfast.

ALT Photo of north east corner of City Hall, Belfast.

Stone to Eliza Ward GM

ALT Stone to Eliza Ward GM

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Dearbhla Holohan retweeted
Barnardo's News (@BarnardosNews) profile picture
Barnardo's News@BarnardosNews11 Sep 2024
A quarter of parents have struggled to provide enough food for their children over the past year. "We know families have to make gut-wrenching choices every day": @barnardos CEO @lynnanneperry. brnw.ch/21wMydy
Millions of Brits struggle to buy enough food for their children, research finds

Millions of Brits struggle to buy enough food for their children, research finds

The cost of living is far from over, Barnardo’s has warned, with a quarter of parents struggling to provide enough food for their children.

bigissue.com
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Dearbhla Holohan retweeted
TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) profile picture
TheJournal.ie@thejournal_ie10 Sep 2024
Gardaí are seeking the public's assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 18-year-old Ethan Coyle, who is missing from his home in Bridgend, Co.Donegal since 27th August, 2024. Ethan is 5’5” in height, slim, with blue eyes and brown hair.
Image from TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie)
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Dearbhla Holohan retweeted
Include Youth (@IncludeYouth) profile picture
Include Youth@IncludeYouth9 Sep 2024
We need this PFG to deliver change now. Children and young people have waited too long. Young people from Include Youth alongside our EBE youth mentors will be discussing the content & feeding their views into the consultation. Full PFG found 👉shorturl.at/8p3IN
Quote marks in yellow at the top and on a blue background, quotes states: If we don’t change course on the delivery of children’s social care services now we will only see more families struggling and reaching crisis point, more children coming into care, more children in the justice system, and ultimately more children and young people not reaching their full potential. The PFG must deliver on realistic, fully funded actions to turn the current crisis in children's social care services around. Dr Paula Rodgers, Policy Manager.

ALT Quote marks in yellow at the top and on a blue background, quotes states: If we don’t change course on the delivery of children’s social care services now we will only see more families struggling and reaching crisis point, more children coming into care, more children in the justice system, and ultimately more children and young people not reaching their full potential. The PFG must deliver on realistic, fully funded actions to turn the current crisis in children's social care services around. Dr Paula Rodgers, Policy Manager.

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