The Probation Board for Northern Ireland is committed to continual improvement in its practice delivery to help change lives for safer communities. One way of guiding continual improvement for better outcomes is the Practice Performance and Research Unit (PPRU).

In this episode of Probation Matters, Deputy Head of Communications Lisa Maginnis talks to PPRU Manager Claire Taylor about PPRU, what it is, why it is important to Probation, how it maintains and improves standards and how it encourages quality and innovation within probation work.

Probation can also be found on X and Facebook as @PBNINews; on Instagram at @PBNI.News; and on YouTube at @ProbationBoardNI.

The Probation Board for Northern Ireland is committed to becoming a trauma informed organisation, aiming to achieve compassionate, nurturing, relationship-based practice, and build strong, resilient, healthy, and productive communities. Taking a trauma informed approach is important for both staff and the people probation comes into contact with. But what does taking a trauma informed approach mean for the organisation, staff, service users and the public?

This is the first of a number of Probation Matters episodes about being trauma informed and in this excellent introductory episode, Head of Communications Gail McGreevy talks to Probation's Trauma & Resilience Implementation Coordinator Kirsten McFarland and Safeguard Board NI's Trauma Informed Practice Implementation Manager Marian Molloy about Probation becoming a trauma informed organisation, how that can be implemented and how it is more natural to do than people think.

Probation can also be found on X and Facebook as @PBNINews; on Instagram at @PBNI.News; and on YouTube at @ProbationBoardNI.

Prisons Week takes place every year in October to raise awareness and generates prayer. It motivates volunteers to step forward and give their time and gifts, in prisons and in their own communities. It provides an annual focus and reason to work together, building capacity and motivation to make a difference for people who are out of sight and often out of mind.

In this episode of Probation Matters, Probation's Deputy Head of Communications Lisa Maginnis talks to Clare, one of our Prison based Area Managers based in Hydebank. She talks to Lisa about the issues, challenges, and the belief she has for people, even after committing crime, have the potential to change their lives for safer communities.

Probation can also be found on X(Twitter) and Facebook as @PBNINews; on Instagram at @PBNI.News; and on YouTube at @ProbationBoardNI.

World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10 October to highlight the importance of our mental health

Talking about our mental health can help us cope better with life’s ups and downs. So, on World Mental Health Day and beyond it, why not check in with your friends, family, peers, or colleagues? 

World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on 10 October. This year’s theme set by the World Federation of Mental Health is workplace mental health. The theme highlights the importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, for the benefit of people, organisations, and communities. Find out more at www.mentalhealth.org.uk

In this episode of Probation Matters, Probation's Head of Communications Gail McGreevy chats to our Principal Psychologist Michael McCracken about the importance of our mental health, both t home and in the workplace and how it is good to take a moment to talk about how you are feeling with someone.

In Northern Ireland we have services like Mind and Inspire Wellbeing. We also have a Mental Health Champion and you can find out more about mental health resources on their Take A Moment. Start a Conversation campaign page.

If you are having issues with your mental health you can contact your local GP or Samaritans or Lifeline.

Probation can also be found on X(Twitter) and Facebook as @PBNINews; on Instagram at @PBNI.News; and on YouTube at @ProbationBoardNI.

Hidden Heroes Day takes place every year on 25 September to celebrate the people working in Probation, Prisons and Youth Justice to keep our communities safe. It is organised by the Butler Trust and they have a website to highlight the day at www.hiddenheroes.uk.

In this episode of Probation Matters, Probation's Deputy Head of Communications Lisa Maginnis talks to Leona, one of our Probation Officers based in our Prisons team. She talks to Lisa about the issues, challenges, and positives of working within a Prison and of the work she does in Probation to change lives for safer communities.

Probation can also be found on X(Twitter) and Facebook as @PBNINews; on Instagram at @PBNI.News; and on YouTube at @ProbationBoardNI.

Hidden Heroes Day takes place every year on 25 September to celebrate the people working in Probation, Prisons and Youth Justice to keep our communities safe. It is organised by the Butler Trust and they have a website to highlight the day at www.hiddenheroes.uk.

In this episode of Probation Matters, Probation's Deputy Head of Communications Lisa Maginnis talks to Siobhan, one of our Probation Victim Liaison Officers based in our Victim Information Unit. She talks to Lisa about the issues, challenges, and positives of working with Victims of Crime and of the work she does in Probation to change lives for safer communities.

Probation can also be found on X(Twitter) and Facebook as @PBNINews; on Instagram at @PBNI.News; and on YouTube at @ProbationBoardNI.

Hidden Heroes Day takes place every year on 25 September to celebrate the people working in Probation, Prisons and Youth Justice to keep our communities safe. It is organised by the Butler Trust and they have a website to highlight the day at www.hiddenheroes.uk.

In this episode of Probation Matters, Probation's Head of Communications Gail McGreevy talks to Laura, one of our Probation Officers based in our North Belfast team. She talks to Gail about the issues, challenges, and positives of working in the North Belfast area and of the work she does in Probation to change lives for safer communities.

Probation can also be found on X(Twitter) and Facebook as @PBNINews; on Instagram at @PBNI.News; and on YouTube at @ProbationBoardNI.

Probation's Head of Communications Gail McGreevy talks to Assistant Director Emer Loughran about her career journey through Probation, from her student placement right through being a Probation Officer, Area Manager to eventually become an Assistant Director, part of Probation's Senior Leadership team.

Probation can also be found on X(Twitter) and Facebook as @PBNINews; on Instagram at @PBNI.News; and on YouTube at @ProbationBoardNI.

Probation's Communications Officer Ivor Whitten talks to Assistant Director Aideen McLaughlin about how Probation incorporates Restorative Practice into the work we do with Victims of Crime registered with our Victim Information Scheme and with Service Users. Aideen explains how this supports victims and keeps them at the centre of Probation's work to change lives for safer comunities.

If you have been a victim of crime and wish to know more about how Probation can help you through the Justice process register at https://www.pbni.org.uk/victim-information-scheme

Probation can also be found on X(Twitter) and Facebook as @PBNINews; on Instagram at @PBNI.News; and on YouTube at @ProbationBoardNI.

Probation's Head of Communications Gail McGreevy talks to Director of Operations Gillian Montgomery as well as Maria, one of our Service Users supervised by our North West team. Gillian discusses how Probation has been involving Service Users over the past number of years in providing feedback on their experiences of being supervised by Probation. Maria tells us about her experience of being supervised by Probation to change her life around.

Probation's Head of Communications Gail McGreevy talks to Victim Liaison Officer Siobhan McElnea as well as Beth, a victim of crime registered with Probation's Victim Information Unit. Siobhan sets out how Probation works with victims of crime to help them through their traumatic experience. Beth tells of her experience with being supported by Probation.

If you have been a victim of crime you can register with Probation on the website at https://www.pbni.org.uk/victim-information-scheme

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Probation works to change lives for safer communities.

Probation's Head of Communications Gail McGreevy talks to two Probation Officers on how their work changes lives for safer communities. The Probation Officers talk about their experiences in our North and South Belfast offices as they change lives for safer communities.

Find out more about Probation on our website

This podcast has an interview with a Probation Service Officer who explains what an Enhanced Combination Order and a Community Service Order is, what they entail and how they help change lives for safer communities. There are also interviews with Service Users who have received these Court sentences.