Chair's Message

A year ago it seemed like the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic would never end. The endless cycle of lockdowns and restrictions had a profound impact upon our lives, and especially those of the people we support.

And yet here we are, at the end of another year in which we have not only met but overcome so many of the obstacles placed in our way by those terrible events.

As with the previous year, Extern’s response as an organisation at every level was nothing short of inspirational. At every turn our teams rose to the challenge of ensuring that the people who depended upon us were not left wanting. It is a credit to our frontline staff and volunteers, as well as those working behind the scenes, that we were able to continue in our duties without significant disruption.

This is not to say that other challenges did not arise during this time. As for so many organisations across the voluntary and community sector, the shortage of skilled and experienced staff became an area of concern. While our teams continued to go above and beyond in order to manage this situation, this is nevertheless an issue which we must continue to actively address at the highest levels to ensure our vital services can keep functioning.

Funding – and in particular the need for multi-year support – also remained at the top of our agenda over the past year. No organisation can operate to the best of its ability if a long-term view is not factored into budget planning, and as we move forward we will ensure that this issue is not overlooked by those in power.

In spite of this, we have seen much positive growth in our work in 2021-22, not least the expansion of our Community Crisis Intervention Service, which has developed from a small pilot project to a more wide-ranging service thanks to generous government funding. I look forward to seeing how this and so many other of our projects will develop in the years ahead.

I have also been privileged to welcome new colleagues onto our Board of Trustees, whose experience and enthusiasm for their role will be of huge benefit to our work in ensuring strong governance and leadership going forward. We have also been fully engaged in helping to shape and develop a brand new five-year strategy, due for launch in the coming year, and I am confident this will further strengthen us as an organisation.

As we face into another year of challenge, not least with the Cost of Living crisis, the need for our services will be greater than ever among the most vulnerable in our communities. We shall, of course, continue to meet this need to ensure that no one seeking support is left behind.

It remains for me to thank everyone who has supported Extern over the past year, not least our commissioners, funders and partners without whom we would not be able to provide such a wide range of services. I thank also my colleagues on the Board of Trustees, the Strategic Leadership Team and all of the staff and volunteers who make Extern such a unique and special organisation.

Most of all, however, I would like to thank the very people we are here to support, our service users, who every day place in us that greatest gift of all – their trust.

Aideen D’Arcy MBE Chair, Extern NI