Meet the Panel Members
Micheal Donnelly (Chair)
Representing Upper Springfield Whiterock Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership
Micheal Donnelly is a respected community development practitioner with over 20 years of experience improving the lives of individuals, families, and communities in West Belfast and beyond. His work is rooted in empowerment, inclusion, and long-term regeneration. He currently leads the Community Development Team at the Upper Springfield Development Trust, a key organisation in community-led regeneration. Under his leadership, the team delivers a wide range of programmes addressing area-wide regeneration, community safety, drug and alcohol support, kinship care, and local capacity building. Micheal also manages major service delivery contracts for statutory partners including the Department for Communities, Belfast City Council, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, The Executive Office, and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. His strategic oversight ensures these contracts meet objectives, align with policy goals, and respond to community needs.
Since May 2019, Micheal has served as an elected councillor on Belfast City Council, representing his local area and contributing to city-wide decision-making. He has sat on key committees such as Strategic Policy and Resources, City Growth and Regeneration, and People and Communities, helping shape policy and allocate resources to tackle inequality and promote inclusive growth.
To support his work, Micheal recently earned a Postgraduate Certificate in Substance Use and Substance Disorder from Queen’s University Belfast, graduating with commendation. This has enhanced his ability to lead effective, research-informed responses to substance-related challenges. Micheal is passionate about place-based approaches, community empowerment, and building sustainable local support systems. His extensive experience across community, statutory, and political sectors enables him to bridge gaps, foster collaboration, and deliver meaningful outcomes for communities in Belfast.
Ciarán Hargey (Co-chair)
Representing Inner South Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership
Ciarán is Education and Work Lead in Market Development Association (MDA). He had been a volunteering member on the MDA committee for 10 years before joining the staff team in December 2019. He spent the first 5 years setting up and coordinating the health working group which created a health strategy now being rolled out with great success.
Ciarán was also involved with organising community festivals like the South & East Féile, Féile na haBhann (festival of the River), helped with the Market Education Action Group and was staff member for the Inner South Neighbourhood Partnership Board. He has now moved from that position to take on a role as Education and Work Lead within the MDA. He will be working closely with QCAP over the next 4 years to help create both an Education strategy and a Work strategy for the district. Ciarán assisted with the set-up of the MDA QCAP partnership during its first, hugely successful, 4-year phase and will be working to see it thrive and deliver even better outcomes over the next 4 years. He was a founding member of a local football club and is now assisting with rebuilding of the local GAA club's youth structures
Angie Mervyn
Representing Upper Andersonstown Community Forum
Angie is the Education Manager in West Belfast Partnership Board (WBPB), which involves the strategic and operational management of the Department of Education funded Sharing the Learning Programme, as well as overall management of all education related programmes in WBPB.
Angie works with community partners and education stakeholders in west Belfast, city-wide and regionally to develop and implement strategic collaborative partnerships, processes and structures that will result in reducing education inequalities and increasing positive outcomes for children, young people and families. She graduated from University College Dublin in 1992, with a BA in French and Italian and a Higher Diploma in Education in 1993. Angie is on the Board of Governors of All Saints College, St Joseph’s and St John the Baptist Primary Schools and is Chair of St Peter’s NS. She is a Board member of both the Education Authority and St Mary’s University College and is on the RAISE Regional Advisory Group. She is also a member of the Belfast City Council Our Economy Board and Inclusive Growth and Anti-poverty Group.
Charlene Brooks
Representing Belfast Healthy Cities
Charlene Brooks is the Chief Executive Officer of Belfast Healthy Cities, a leading organisation committed to promoting health equity and sustainable urban development in Belfast. With over eight years of experience in executive leadership, Charlene has demonstrated skill in nurturing teams and organisations to achieve their full potential and deliver a wide range of initiatives and programmes.
In her current role, Charlene has been instrumental in advancing initiatives that integrate health into all policies. She has played a pivotal role in programmes focusing on healthy urban environments, active travel, and community prosperity. Under her leadership, Belfast Healthy Cities has collaborated with various stakeholders, including government departments, local councils, and community partners, to address health disparities and promote inclusive, green, and accessible spaces.
Charlene’s work emphasises addressing health inequalities through sustainable community development, ensuring that planning decisions prioritise the wellbeing of marginalised and vulnerable populations. Charlene's commitment to community engagement is further evident in her active participation in the voluntary and community sector. She serves as the Chair of the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA), where she champions the vital role of the sector in shaping Northern Ireland's economic future. Additionally, she has represented Belfast Healthy Cities at international forums, such as the Wellbeing Economy Forum in Reykjavik, sharing insights on integrating health and sustainability into urban policies. Charlene adopts a collaborative approach, and has a commitment to creating a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable Belfast.
Danny Power
Representing Greater Falls Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership
Danny is a community development advocate and the Development Manager of Divis Joint Development Committee in Belfast. He has a Masters in Community Planning and Governance. Danny has extensive experience of directing and managing relationships within and across diverse organisations to achieve common goals. He has been involved in the discussions around the development of the new Integrated Care System and was a member of the Health and Social Care Board and Chairperson of Belfast Local Commissioning Group from April 2015 to March 2020.
Danny is the chairperson of the local Healthy Living Centre based at the Maureen Sheehan Centre in Belfast’s Falls district and the chairperson of the multi-agency Greater Falls Neighbourhood Partnership under DfC’s Neighbourhood Renewal strategy ‘People and Place’ and Chairperson of Clan Mor Surestart. This includes significant roles in coordinating responses across a range of networks in Belfast. Danny chairs the West Belfast Partnership Boards Strategic Health Group which has developed a ‘Building Resilience and Embedding Wellbeing’ planning framework and Wellbeing Charter to improve the quality of life in West Belfast.
He is the co-chairperson of ‘Belfast a Learning City’ Collective under a UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, this includes working with colleagues in community planning to integrate learning outcomes across the Belfast Agenda. He was the chairperson of the regional HLC Alliance from 2006 until 2023. Danny has extensive experience in creating space in which people and communities can make decisions and this involves negotiating across sectors to make that happen.
Deirdre Quinn
Representing Women’s Resource and Development Agency (WRDA)
Deirdre has been the Training & Development Manager for WRDA since April 2018. WRDA is a regional charity, with a mission to advance women’s participation and equality in society, particularly grassroots women and those in disadvantaged communities. We deliver training programmes to tackle health inequalities affecting women; we provide leadership & support within the women’s sector; and we promote & advocate for women’s equality in decision making, lobbying to influence policy. Deirdre has overall responsibility for all aspects of the training and development function, accountable for the overall quality of the courses delivered, of quality standards and compliance with Awarding Bodies. Deirdre has substantive project management experience, with current responsibility for a PHA contract for cancer screening awareness services and the aligned Community Facilitator Programme.
Deirdre is also the Operational Manager for WRDA's UK SPF project, Women Breaking Barriers. This is a consortium project, worth nearly £2 million over 3 years, with WRDA as the lead, working with 3 other partners and 12 delivery agents. Outside of WRDA, Deirdre is the Joint Secretary of Unison’s Community & Voluntary Branch and the Vice Chair of the Forum for Adult Learning NI (FALNI). The common thread running across all Deirdre’s roles remains tackling structural inequalities and reducing inequity felt by marginalised groups, with a focus on women.
Emily Keenan
Representing South Belfast Health Forum
Emily Keenan is representing South Belfast Health Forum and is Strategic Health and Wellbeing Officer & Deputy Chief Executive of Forward South Partnership. Emily has over five years’ experience working with many diverse communities in South Belfast to tackle health inequalities and is looking forward to bringing her experience, knowledge and networks to further enhance the role of the VCSE Panel in delivering the ambitions within the Belfast Agenda.
Emily is member of the Belfast Protect Life Implementation Group, Belfast Community Response Plan Steering Group and Co-Chair of the Community of Interest Group for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. Alongside this she sits on several boards, including BHSCT Older Person Forum, City wide Loneliness Group, Children and Young Peoples Strategic Partnership South Belfast Locality, Inner South Belfast Neighbourhood Health Subgroup, City Wide Take 5 Working Group, Belfast Dementia Friendly Neighbourhoods and Belfast Social Supermarket Network.
Emily leads on anti-poverty working with many partners across the South Belfast locality and City Wide to address poverty.
Emma Shaw
Representing Policy 360
Emma Shaw is an experienced community leader and the Executive Director of the Phoenix Education Centre, based in East Belfast. With a background in education policy and grassroots engagement, Emma has spent over a decade working to address educational underachievement, particularly among young people facing complex barriers including trauma, school avoidance, and systemic inequality.
Her work spans programme design, delivery, and strategic development, with a strong emphasis on co-production, culturally relevant pedagogy, and trauma-informed practice. She is skilled in securing and managing funding from a range of bodies including statutory agencies, charitable trusts, and philanthropic organisations. Emma has led multiple high-impact projects across youth leadership, mental health, community development, and good relations, often in partnership with other frontline organisations. She is particularly experienced in engaging hard-to-reach groups and building trusted relationships that support long-term change.
Emma has authored successful business cases, developed new social enterprise models, and delivered public events and summits that bring community voices into policymaking spaces. Her leadership is underpinned by a belief in collaboration, accountability, and the potential of local communities to drive their own change.
She holds a Master’s in Education Policy and Planning and has completed strategic leadership training through the AMBIT programme.
Garnet Busby
Representing South West Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership
Garnet Busby (known to many as Buzz) has over 25 years’ experience in the community and voluntary sector, with a strong track record of leadership in some of Belfast’s most deprived areas. He is currently General Manager of Belfast South Community Resources (BSCR), based in Sandy Row, where he has worked for more than 17 years.
At BSCR, Garnet has led a wide range of programmes tackling educational underachievement, digital exclusion, unemployment, community safety, and regeneration. Under his leadership, BSCR has grown into a respected hub of community activity, managing multiple projects and social enterprises, including an internationally recognised IT Exam Centre and the emerging Arts and Digital Hub on Sandy Row. These initiatives not only meet immediate community needs but also build long-term sustainability and resilience.
A strong advocate for education and opportunity, Garnet’s journey is deeply rooted in lived experience. Growing up in Sandy Row during the Troubles and leaving school without qualifications, he later returned to study, gaining a First-Class degree in Psychology with the Open University and a PhD in Motivation and Anger Management from Queen’s University Belfast. His personal journey informs his commitment to ensuring that education, training, and positive pathways are accessible to all.
Garnet also plays a wider civic role as Chairperson of the South West Belfast Neighbourhood Partnership, where he works with statutory partners, schools, housing providers, and community groups to drive forward regeneration and renewal across the area. His vision is clear: to tackle disadvantage, promote opportunity, and empower communities to shape their own future.
Irene Sherry
Representing Ashton Community Trust
Irene Sherry is Head of Health & Wellbeing for Ashton Community Trust and part of the Strategic Leadership Team. She has worked as a community activist, advocate and strategist in Belfast for 30+ years. She initiated Bridge of Hope in 2001 to support individuals, families and communities impacted by conflict, poor mental health and suicide. Since then, nearly 42,000 people have been supported through a range of services including complementary therapies, psychological therapies, life coaching, personal development/resilience training and caseworker support.
Irene has worked collaboratively cross-departmentally, operationally and strategically representing and advocating the need for transformational social change across the wider determinants of health and wellbeing. She has a comprehensive knowledge of working across the Voluntary and Community and Statutory sectors, initiating partnership working, chairing, and communicating and has developed a very high competence and efficiency in presenting and reporting aligned with a proven track record in managing and delivering transformational change processes.
Irene is looking forward to her second term on the VSCE Panel, bringing experience of working with people and communities to the heart of decision making in the city, supporting the work of the Belfast Agenda.
Jackie Redpath
Representing Greater Shankill Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership
Jackie Redpath has been a community worker on the Shankill since the 1970s and has been involved in a wide range of issues and initiatives, including education, housing, regeneration and social issues.
He has been CEO of Greater Shankill Partnership since 1996, which also acts as the Greater Shankill Neighbourhood Partnership. In a voluntary capacity Jackie is Chair of Springboard Opportunities and Joint- Chair of N.I. Alternatives.
Jahswill Emmanuel
Representing Multi-Ethnic Sports and Culture NI
Jahswill is the Founder and CEO of Multi-Ethnic Sports and Cultures NI (MSCNI) a charity and a company limited by guarantee, established in 2016 to promote inclusion, good relations, and community empowerment across Northern Ireland. As a migrant and survivor of racial violence, Jahswill turned personal adversity into purpose, using sport and cultural engagement as tools to build bridges across communities and foster a shared sense of belonging.
Through MSCNI, Jahswill has led inclusive projects such as the MSCNI Super League, Sportmania Fest, and Heritage Connect Festival, connecting over 40 nationalities annually and supporting asylum seekers, refugees, and minority groups to find their voice and place in society. Jahswill brings to the Belfast Agenda VCSE Advisory Panel a strong foundation in community development, governance, and strategic project delivery, as well as lived experience that grounds his advocacy in reality. He recently completed a First-Class Honours degree in Community Development at Ulster University.
Jahswill’s key skills include grassroots mobilisation, collaborative leadership, cultural competency, equality and inclusion advocacy, and capacity-building for minoritised groups. He also brings experience in funding strategy, monitoring and evaluation, and policy engagement.
For Jahswill being on the panel is not just a role for, it’s a commitment to ensuring Belfast becomes a city where every voice matters and every community thrives. He is here to listen, to challenge, to support, and to ensure that the Belfast Agenda reflects the hopes and needs of all its people.
JP Sukumaran
Representing Karma Kalakendram
Chair of Karma Kalakendram, J.P. Sukumaran champions South Indian performing arts and shared culture across Northern Ireland—curating performances, festivals, and learning programmes that bring communities together. He previously worked in HR and marketing with Healthcare Ireland and has organised non-profit festivals since the mid-1990s.
He holds a BSc (Hons) in Events Management and an MA in Arts Management, plus a Level-7 award in Strategic Marketing, and continues to up-skill in digital transformation. He speaks English, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam, and unwinds with cricket and a good book.
Judith Searle
Representing Barnardo’s NI
Judith is Assistant Director in Barnardo’s NI and has strategic responsibility for several services. Judith has over 16 years’ experience working within the community and voluntary sector in Belfast focusing on supporting children, young people and families. A focus of her work is integration, good relations and creating a shared future.
Judith has a particular interest in addressing inequalities faced by many young people and families. Her roles, for over 16 years, mean that Judith recognises when targeted support will make a difference and recognises that communities can contribute to making life better for others.
Judith lives in Belfast with her husband and 3 teenage children, and she is really looking forward to being able to contribute through the VCSE Panel to help make Belfast a great place for all to live, work and visit.
Julianne Skillen
Representing Arts Care
Julianne Skillen works as Head of Business Development and Income Generation for Arts Care, NI’s award winning arts in health organisation. She brings over 28 years of experience in participatory arts, community, and education. Originally trained as an art historian and teacher, Julianne has held diverse roles, including Funding Officer for ACNI, Belfast City Council, and TNLCF, as well as Development Manager at Community Arts Partnership and Heritage Officer for Arts Ekta.
She has been a board member of Northern Ireland Visual Arts Forum, Cahoots NI (Children’s Theatre Company), and a founding member and inaugural chair of Arts Ekta. Julianne is deeply passionate about the transformative power of the arts and the joy of creativity for its own sake.
She won the ACNI’s Anne O’Donoghue award for arts programme management in 2017 and was nominated for Leading a small charity through the CO3 awards in 2018. In 2024 Julianne was an integral part of the Arts Care team which won Best New Start-Up at the Social Enterprise Awards NI and nominated in the One to Watch category at the Social Enterprise Awards UK. She also cares deeply about advocating for improved mental health provision for all and equity for women in all aspects of life.
Julianne is also a skilled florist and floral arts facilitator. In her spare time, she loves connecting with nature, sea swimming, spending time with family and friends, throwing pots and relaxing with her dachshund, Frank.
Laura Feeney
Representing Save the Children
Laura is the Head of Partnerships and Participation for Save the Children, leading and supporting a team on the strategic development of approaches addressing child poverty, early childhood development and education across Northern Ireland since 2016.
Laura has 25 years of experience working within the community and voluntary sector, leading on system change, community capacity building and socio-economic regeneration initiatives across the region. She is passionate about tackling social injustice and the structural issues that drive inequality resulting in a lack of power, voice and influence for children, families and communities.
Laura is a member of the C&YPSP Western Area Outcomes Group, a board member of EastSide Partnership, Chair of EastSide Learning and Vice Chair of North Belfast Locality Planning Group.
Lekan Ojo-Okiji Abasi
Representing CANS
With over 20 years of experience as a Community Development Worker in Greater Belfast, Lekan is a qualified Bilingual Professional Counsellor, the founding member and Clinical Co-ordinator of Counselling All Nations Services (CANS). He is deeply committed to promoting Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion, working to ensure that the needs of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and Migrant communities, including Refugees and Asylum Seekers, are addressed within organisational strategies and activities. He participates in local Mental Health groups and works closely with statutory bodies to advocate for the needs of BAME and Migrant communities, ensuring their access to essential services.
Lekan has over 14 years’ experience of delivering services supporting people from BAME, and Migrant communities in NI dealing with emotional wellbeing issues, and in some cases suicidal ideation. Lekan is keen to use his knowledge, expertise and cultural background gained over the years from working with and supporting people from BAME and Migrant communities through the pursuit of a better understanding of their health beliefs and behaviours. Other significant Key skills and Strategic roles include Advocacy; Leadership; Management; Mediation; Mentoring; and Children & Youth Empowerment. Lekan is a Board member of Community Development and Health Network (CDHN) and the Community Foundation NI (CFNI)
Maria Morgan
Representing Ligoniel Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership
With over two decades of experience in the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, Maria brings a wealth of practical expertise in community-led development, strategic leadership, and collaborative working. Since 2007, Maria has served as CEO of Ligoniel Improvement Association (LIA) and Ligoniel Community Enterprises (LCE), where she manages and delivers a diverse range of programmes including neighbourhood renewal, family support, environmental regeneration, health and wellbeing, training and employability, community safety, and enterprise development. Maria oversees approximately 20 staff and multiple volunteers, ensuring delivery of impactful, outcomes-based initiatives. Maria has played a lead role in shaping Ligoniel’s regeneration strategy and has built strong partnerships across sectors, geographies, and communities. Maria has a proven ability to operate at both strategic and grassroots levels and is committed to ensuring that the lived experiences and voices of local communities inform policy and service design. Maria currently sits on several key structures, including the North Belfast Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership, Belfast Hills Partnership, Belfast Advice Group, Sure Start North Belfast, and North Belfast Advice Partnership.
Maria is also Chair of the Belfast Interface Group. Her experience includes governance, strategic planning, financial oversight, staff leadership, community engagement, and fundraising. She has developed and delivered training to build community capacity in governance, funding, and monitoring. Maria is an experienced facilitator and communicator, regularly representing community interests in public forums and with statutory partners. She also leads on public relations and manages community communications across various platforms. Maria brings inclusive, collaborative leadership grounded in real-world delivery and policy influence and is committed to promoting equity, inclusion, and sustainability.
Michael Briggs
Representing Inner East Belfast Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership
Michael has been involved in youth work and community development in East Belfast for the past 45 years. He has lived in East Belfast all of his life and was educated at local primary and secondary schools and attended YMCA George Williams College, London where he obtained his diploma in, Informal Education and a degree in Community Education. For the past 23 years Michael has been the Executive Director of East Belfast Community Development Agency (EBCDA). EBCDA is the “umbrella organisation” supporting community development in East Belfast. Membership is made up of community groups drawn from an area that contains just over 95,000 people. It is representative of a broad range of interests and needs within communities and encompasses a variety of groups, including local community organisations, residents' groups, faith-based organisations, sports clubs, older people's groups, men’s groups and women's groups.
EBCDA deliver their work under 3 themes: Community Development Support; Community Resource and Finance Support; and Community Health Development Support. Michael is committed to working at a neighbourhood level and using that experience to address issues affecting communities throughout East Belfast. He is also keen that the communities within East Belfast work together in a collective fashion to tackle the problems our community face on a day-to-day basis.
In addition to his role within EBCDA Michael is also involved in the following: Chair - Inner East Neighbourhood Partnership (Neighbourhood Renewal); Vice-Chair - EastSide Partnership; Member - Community Development Networks Forum (NI). Previously, Michael has been Member of NICVA Executive (2004 – 2022) and Chair of EastSide Partnership Audit & Risk Committee (2019 – 2024).
Paddy O’Donnell
Representing Lenadoon Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership
Paddy has worked in the Community Sector doing Community Development for 30 years, He has a BA Hons from Queen’s University Belfast and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management Development.
Paddy is currently the Chairperson of Glen Parent and Youth Group and Lenadoon Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership. He also holds the role of Treasurer for the Stewartstown Road Regeneration Project.
Paul Fleming
Representing NIACRO
Paul was born and raised in West Belfast and has experienced first-hand Health, housing and other socio inequalities. Paul has worked in homelessness prevention for many years offering help to people whose tenancy may be at risk due to Anti-social behaviour or at risk of intimidation due to their ethnicity. Paul is a strong advocate that we need to ensure we attend effectively to mental health and wellbeing in situations of homelessness and to those in the criminal justice system. It is critical, that those in need of support and diversion are listened to, supported and referred to appropriate services.
Through his work with NIACRO and as a trauma-trained counsellor for over 20 years working in Belfast Paul recognises many of the key challenges faced by our city. In his professional and personal life, Paul has seen the devastating impact on families and the wider communities when someone takes their life. Paul has also had the great privilege to support people who have worked through awful times of despair, to re-engage fully in life, and in turn support others in times of crisis. It is much of these experiences that has shaped Paul as an individual and driven him to work for NIACRO and additionally volunteer with Lighthouse. Paul is passionate that everyone regardless of their background should be able to access high quality appropriate help and support particularly in areas of the criminal justice system, mental health and racial inequality. Paul has seen over the last 20 years the professionalism within the community and voluntary sector develop to the highest of standards and believes passionately that this sector not only has a better connection with individuals but also offers the most relevant response to addressing inequalities experienced by those within their own community.
Paul Millar
Representing Tullycarnet Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership
Paul Millar is the current CEO of Hanwood Trust Co Ltd, a registered charity based in Tullycarnet, East Belfast. He has been in this role for over 20 years, during which time he has been deeply involved in the funding, development, and implementation of the four phases of Hanwood’s growth, as well as overseeing the overall management of the organisation.
Paul’s leadership has been instrumental in driving the charity’s mission to support local communities and create sustainable development opportunities.
In addition to his role at Hanwood Trust, Paul serves as the volunteer Chair of Black Mountain Shared Space, a position he has held since August 2018. Under his guidance, the project has seen the development of a state-of-the-art shared space building and is currently expanding into a shared business park, providing valuable facilities and opportunities for the local area. Paul is also the Chair of the Tullycarnet Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership, a position he has held for the past 10 years, having previously served as a board member for five years. His extensive experience in community development and strategic leadership continues to make a significant impact in his local area.
Perla Mansour
Representing Wild Belfast
Perla is a founding member of Wild Belfast, a community group aiming to improve biodiversity in Belfast and empower communities to enhance their natural environment. She was treasurer for 2 years and recently took on the role of Creative Lead trustee.
With Wild Belfast, Perla is responsible for supporting the Chair in funding applications, managing and delivering artistic briefs within projects. In 2024, Perla delivered a series of ‘Living Murals’ supported by engagement workshops, working with residents (Stranmillis and Rossmore), stakeholders (Cliftonville FC and Linen BID) and local artists. The project looked at connecting ecology and art, using art as a tool for communication and raising awareness. In addition to her engagement with Wild Belfast, Perla has a background in architecture and urban design currently working with Sustrans as their active travel Network Delivery Manager in NI and ROI.
Perla has previous experience working in the climate change sector with Climate NI on mitigation and adaptation projects; and was the founder of a sustainable development charity in Lebanon delivering on UNESCO’s Education on Sustainable Development 5 years programme across community groups in the Middle East and North Africa region.
With her cross-sectoral experience working on community engagement, climate change, ecology and urban design, Perla can be a key advocate to the Belfast Agenda’s thematic and priority areas.
Peter Lynch
Representing Blackie River Community Group
Peter is CEO of West Belfast Partnership Board. Peter has been a community activist for over 20 years.
He has worked in Tar Anall and The Blackie River Community Group and currently sits on several boards including the NICVA Executive board.
Róisín Wood
Representing The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland
With over 18 years of distinguished leadership experience in the sports and non-profit sectors, Róisín is a dynamic and passionate leader currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland’s largest independent grant making organisation. Róisín chaired the National League’s Strategic Review group and is a member of their Ethics Committee. She was also awarded an honorary Fellowship from UCBB and Global Institute of Sport.
Róisín was selected as a fellow for the 23/24 Centre for Democracy and Peace Fellowship Programme for political and civic leaders in Northern Ireland and graduated in 2024. As an advocate for positive social change, she continues to drive initiatives that will have a lasting impact on communities and individuals across Northern Ireland.
Róisín, previous CEO of Kick It Out, English football’s equality and inclusion organisation, was pivotal in managing and leading the organisation’s equality work, and fostering a more inclusive, cohesive environment in English football since 2011. Awarded an OBE in 2018 for services to tackling discrimination in football, in October 2020 Róisín took on a new challenge as an Inclusive Leadership Consultant, highlighting her passion and commitment towards an inclusive society.
Sinéad McConnell
Representing Altram
Sinéad is CEO of Ionad Uíbh Eachach, an Irish-language family and community centre in Belfast. With 20 years of experience in Irish-medium early years education (IMEY), Sinéad has worked extensively in family support and policy development, with a particular interest in 0-3 years and the transformative power of language and culture in community renewal. Sinéad spent five years managing the Sure Start Developmental Programme across Irish-medium and English sectors.
Founded in 1990, Ionad Uíbh Eachach serves over 300 people weekly, providing childcare, after-school services, family support, and Irish language classes. As a lead Neighbourhood Renewal partner, we focus on education, development, and regeneration, ensuring continued access to Irish-medium services. We also run one of the few Irish-language SureStart programs for two-year-olds.
Sinéad sits on the steering committee of Fís an Phobail (West Belfast Irish Language Planning Network), shaping language policies and community initiatives. She serves as a board member of Altram, co-chair of the Community Daycare Network, and sits on the boards of Beechmount SureStart and the Regional Childcare Partnership.
Our centre collaborates with key community and statutory agencies, including BHSCT, Shine Autism Parental Support Group, Ceathrú Ceol na bhFál, Beechmount SureStart, Women’s Aid, and the Family Support Hub Network to provide essential services such as day care placements, play therapy, and autism-specific support. At the heart of Sinéad’s work is a deep commitment to early years education and the vital role that language and culture play in strengthening communities, ensuring that Irish-medium education continues to flourish in Belfast and beyond.
Stephen Barr
Representing Start360
Vocationally, Stephen is from a Youth and Community background spanning 30 years. Stephen is employed as a Director of Services across Health Justice and Employability with Start360.
Start360 delivers a range of person-centered services to children, young people, families and communities across Northern Ireland having supported 21,105 people from 1st April 24 to 31st March 25. Start360 helps people find something to believe in when they need it most.
As Director of Services, Stephen advocates a service user led approach. In terms of his leadership and management he has a deep commitment to empowering individuals and strengthening communities.
With years of experience in service delivery, team development, and strategic planning, he continues to lead initiatives which improve access, equity, and outcomes for those who need support most. Stephen believes in compassionate leadership, collaborative problem-solving, and building integrative systems which influence and establish transformational change within communities.
As part of this continued journey Stephen is delighted to have been selected onto the VSCE panel Belfast with a focus on inclusion, advocacy and ensuring the sectors voice is heard and understood as part of the community planning process.
Susan Russam
Representing GEMS NI
Susan Russam is Chief Executive of GEMS NI, bringing over 35 years of leadership experience to the organisation. With a background in social work, social housing and a strong commitment to community empowerment, Susan leads strategic initiatives that support employability, economic integration, and social inclusion across Belfast.
Her leadership is marked by a passion for driving positive change and fostering resilient communities through collaborative partnerships and innovative solutions. In addition to her role at GEMS NI, Susan is Chair of the Racial Equality Subgroup, a Director of Newington Housing Association, and a listening volunteer, demonstrating her continued dedication to social justice and community well-being.
Terry Quinn
Representing West Belfast Strategic Health and Wellbeing Forum
Terry holds a BSc honours in Community Development and a MSc in Community Planning and has worked within the Community and Voluntary sector for over 15 years within a community development and urban regeneration context. His experience includes working with communities of deprivation to improve outcomes in health, education, and physical regeneration.
At times, he has worked within a challenging environment along with statutory agencies to co design population plans within areas of deprivation, such as the Divis Intervention programme, the Belfast Unwanted Bonfires strategy and Neighbourhood Renewal plans working alongside statutory, community and political reps to improve local outcomes.
Terry is currently leading the development of a population health plan for West Belfast; this will form part of the locality plans within the Belfast Agenda on addressing health inequalities. This includes an extensive public engagement process using a wide range of engagement methods.
As coordinator of the West Belfast Strategic Health and Wellbeing Forum, which sets the strategic direction in addressing health inequalities within the population, Terry also contributes through membership to local and city-wide groups; Dementia Friendly West, Healthy Cities advisory group, Housing Environmental and Planning group, Age Friendly city- wide group, BDACT. All these groups contribute to the Belfast Agenda through their strategies & workstreams.