Meet the VCSE Sectoral Advisory Panel
The VCSE Sectoral Advisory Panel was formally established in Spring 2020, following an open call selection process managed by NICVA on the Community Planning Partnership's behalf. Membership of the panel was initially for a four-year term; due to COVID-19 this was extended by one year.
As the Panel enters its second term of office, the membership has been refreshed via a further independent nomination and selection process. In April 2025, the Community Planning Partnership agreed a new Panel for the next four-year term, 2025-2029.
The Panel comprises 30 representatives, drawn from across Belfast's large and diverse voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors, reflecting a spread of areas of the city, Belfast Agenda priorities, and large and small organisations.
The Panel's aims are:
- to ensure that the sector's voices are represented as part of the community planning process
- to develop and improve cross sectoral relationships and partnerships
- to promote effective community engagement
VCSE Panel Membership 2025-2029
| Panel Member | Representing |
|---|---|
| Michael Donnelly | Upper Springfield / Whiterock Neighbourhood Partnership (Chair) |
| Ciarán Hargey | Inner South Neighbourhood Partnership (Co-chair) |
| Angie Mervyn | Upper Andersonstown Community Forum |
| Charlene Brooks | Belfast Healthy Cities |
| Danny Power | Greater Falls Neighbourhood Partnership |
| Deirdre Quinn | Women's Resource and Development Agency (WRDA) |
| Emily Keenan | South Belfast Health Forum |
| Emma Shaw | Policy 360 |
| Garnet Busby | South West Neighbourhood Partnership |
| Irene Sherry | Ashton Trust |
| Jackie Redpath | Greater Shankill Neighbourhood Partnership |
| Jahswill Emmanuel | Multi Ethnic Sports and Culture NI |
| JP Sukumaran | Karma Kalakendram |
| Judith Searle | Barnardo's |
| Julianne Skillen | Arts Care |
| Kim McGary | Extern |
| Laura Feeney | Save the Children |
| Lekan Ojo-Okiji Abasi | Counselling All Nations Services (CANS) |
| Maria Morgan | Ligoniel Neighbourhood Partnership |
| Michael Briggs | Inner East Neighbourhood Partnership |
| Paddy O'Donnell | Lenadoon Neighbourhood Partnership |
| Paul Fleming | NIACRO |
| Paul Millar | Tullycarnet Neighbourhood Partnership |
| Perla Mansour | Wild Belfast |
| Peter Lynch | Blackie River Community Group |
| Róisín Wood | Community Foundation for Northern Ireland |
| Sinéad McConnell | Altram |
| Stephen Barr | Start 360 |
| Susan Russam | GEMS NI |
| Terry Quinn | West Belfast Strategic Health & Wellbeing Forum |
Members of the new VCSE Panel gathered at Girdwood Community Hub for a ‘Welcome and Induction’ Session on Friday 30 May 2025. There was much energy and enthusiasm in the room as the Panel enters its second term (2025-2029). The increase in membership from 15 to 30 representatives ensures that the Panel is reflective of the diverse nature and voices of the sector. Members shared their areas of expertise and hopes for the Panel’s new term. Panel members will be appointing a Chair and Co-chair in the next few weeks before considering representation for the various Boards and Working Groups which deliver the Belfast Agenda.
West Belfast Partnership Board has been appointed to provide a strategic leadership and support role to the Panel.
Ask the Panel a question
Submit a question to be put to the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sectoral Advisory Panel. The Panel will endeavour to respond at their earliest opportunity.
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