SCENE Autumn 2024

AUTUMN 2024 | ISSUE 18

SCENE

SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES BI-ANNUAL MAGAZINE

Supporting Communities Awards First Gold Level TP Accreditation Supporting Communities was thrilled to present Radius

IN THIS ISSUE:

ALL-IRELAND ENDORSEMENT FOR TRAINING COURSE

Housing with our first Gold Level Accreditation in Tenant Participation this August.

Our ‘TP’ accreditation Award assesses ten standards,

2024 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED

requiring landlords to demonstrate how tenants have influenced and shaped service improvements. The

PICS FROM THE ANNUAL

accreditation is a robust and structured process where

HCN COMMUNITY

tenant engagement activities are independently scrutinised.

The final report provides practical and achievable

CONFERENCE

recommendations and a roadmap for improvement.

SOCIAL RETURN ON The process has five stages, including an intensive selfassessment, the independent appraisal, and testing engagement practices by meeting with tenants, staff, and

INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITY SAFETY

senior managers. All accreditations are validated by an independent panel of assessors and awarded at bronze,

MEET NEW PLACEMENT STUDENT ALEX HAMILL

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silver, or gold level. Successful organisations are accredited for three years.

Radius was the first organisation in Northern Ireland to apply for accreditation in 2021, scoring a silver-level award.

Since then, we have been delighted to see Radius take our recommendations on board, resulting in an incredible gold standard this time. all the staff involved. This effort has Sheenagh McNally, chair of the independent panel

allowed us to improve the services we

assessing the accreditation, said, “I am delighted to award

bring to our tenants, making our whole

Radius the Gold Standard, the first of its kind on the island

organisation work more efficiently with

of Ireland. Radius clearly demonstrated their ambition to

better outcomes for all. We see real value

continuously strive for better, taking on board all the

in the accreditation process and would

recommendations from the first submission. The team’s

welcome its addition to the regulatory

hard work, commitment, and dedication has set the bar

process for housing associations as a

high for tenant engagement in Northern Ireland and further

mechanism to ensure the Consumer

afield.”

Standards are being met for all social housing tenants.”

The assessment panel wrote, “There is clear evidence that TP is embedded into the culture of Radius, and there are

Tenant Engagement Officers Lesa Kelly

many examples of tenants influencing decisions and

and Ashleigh Mulgrave received the

making a change. Staff are keen and enthusiastic and see

award on behalf of Radius. “We are

TP as a huge benefit to the organisation—more importantly,

absolutely delighted that the hard work

this comes from the top and is embraced by everyone we

and commitment we all put into our TP

met.”

Strategy and delivery over the last three years has been recognised and rewarded

The assessors were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm,

in this manner. We are privileged to have

commitment, and understanding among participants in the

worked alongside tenants who were

various focus groups. Their testimonies brought the

instrumental in their efforts to support us

documentation to life and confirmed the implementation of

through this journey to receive Gold in

Radius’ Tenant Engagement Strategy across the

the TP Accreditation.”

organisation. They also acknowledged the organisation's continuous learning and willingness to improve service

It is an honour to recognise Radius

delivery where needed.

Housing with the first Gold TP Award in Northern Ireland. Their work in tenant

Loma Wilson, Radius Director of Communities, commented,

engagement has been sector-leading

“When we received the silver level, we took on board all the

and has inspired others to follow suit. As

recommendations and improvements suggested in the

more housing associations engage with

previous report and made a concerted effort to implement

the accreditation process, collectively,

them. A huge effort went into collating the information for

we are raising the bar and taking tenant

this, our second submission, and we wish to pay tribute to

engagement practices to the next level.

supportingcommunities.org

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Community Development Course Recognised by AIEB We are pleased to announce that the AllIreland Endorsement Body for Community Work Education and Training has recognised our OCNI Level 3 Award in Community Development and Community Capacity Building.

AIEB recognition is evidence of our programme's alignment with the All-Ireland Standards for Community Work. It underscores our commitment to community work and our ability to impart a deep understanding of its values to our successful graduates.

Aidan Kearney with fellow community educators at a recent AIEB event in Dublin

We feel this recognition will give learners added confidence in their certification and

Senior Training Officer Aidan Kearney proposed the

ensure their learning outcomes have a

course for recognition as we have increasingly begun

clear community development focus. This

providing our services in the Republic of Ireland.

course is a valuable stepping stone for those who wish to pursue further studies

“This partnership is an exciting one for Supporting

and also provides employers and potential

Communities as we increase our reach across the

sponsors with a clear indication of the

island,” said Aidan. “Our core values are to support and

standards and expectations of learners

empower communities, so the AIEB’s recognition

who graduate from the programme.

validates our quality community development work and ensures standards and quality in practice.”

In a confirmation letter to Supporting Communities, the AIEB wrote, “The [review panel] were impressed by the application overall and the flexibility of delivery within the programme. We wish you continued success with programme promotion, recruitment, and delivery in the future.”

Learn more about our courses in community development on our website.

028 2564 5676

info@supportingcommunities.org

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Bright Futures Ahead: 2024 Scholarship Winners Announced!

Supporting Communities is thrilled to announce the

Holly's ability to balance her academic

recipients of its prestigious 2024 scholarships. Four

pursuits with extracurricular activities,

outstanding students have been selected, two each for the

including her roles in various music

Gallaher Trust and James Kane Foundation scholarships.

groups and her part-time job, speaks

These students demonstrate exceptional academic

volumes about her time management

achievement, community involvement, and personal

skills and work ethic.

growth. These scholarships, administered by Supporting Communities, aim to nurture talent and create opportunities

Juliana O'Mullan - Business

for promising young individuals in our community.

Management at Queen's University Belfast

Gallaher Trust Scholarship Winners Holly Frame - Actuarial Science and Risk Management at

Juliana, from St Louis Grammar School Ballymena, has displayed exceptional

Queen's University Belfast

academic performance and leadership

Holly, a student at Cambridge

as Head Prefect in charge of Careers.

House Grammar School, has shown remarkable academic prowess with A* grades across

qualities, which shine through in her role

Juliana's passion for business and finance is evident in her participation in the

the board.

Queen's Schools Business Challenge. This

Beyond her studies, Holly's

analytical skills and business acumen,

background in competitive gymnastics has instilled in her a resilient spirit and a dedication to giving back to her community. As a qualified gymnastics coach and judge, she has accumulated over 200 volunteering hours, demonstrating her commitment to nurturing young talent

experience allowed her to develop her working on real-world problems and presenting solutions to industry experts.

Her involvement in school activities, from choir to netball,

and supporting her sport.

demonstrates

Holly's diverse interests, including music and public

commitment

speaking, showcase her well-rounded character. Her experience in the Tomorrow's Engineers Robotics Challenge, where she led her school team to success at the Northern Ireland level and placed 4th in the UK, demonstrates her leadership skills and innovative thinking.

supportingcommunities.org

her to personal growth and community engagement.

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Juliana has set a high standard for future

Áine Savage - Software Engineering at Queen's

students. Her ability to balance academic

University Belfast

excellence with extracurricular activities and leadership roles showcases her

Áine, from St Patrick's High

potential for success in her chosen field of

School Keady, brings a

Business Management.

unique perspective to her studies in Software Engineering.

James Kane Foundation Scholarship Winners Susannah Wilson - Mechanical Engineering at Ulster University Susannah, a student from Portadown College, is looking forward to pursuing her passion for engineering at Ulster University.

Her diverse interests, from playing trumpet to mountain biking, reflect her curiosity and zest for life. Susannah's achievements in the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge and British Biology Olympiad showcase her problem-solving skills and academic versatility.

Susannah's enthusiasm for practical engineering experience is evident in her participation in school physics competitions and her desire to pursue additional qualifications in welding and fabrication. Her well-rounded approach to education, combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills, positions her for success in the field of Mechanical Engineering.

Her active participation in local GAA football and youth coaching demonstrates her commitment to giving back to her community. Áine's experiences, including her participation in Queen's Pathway Opportunity Programme, reflect her eagerness to learn and grow both academically and personally.

What sets Áine apart is her passion for social justice and her commitment to speaking up for those who feel unheard.

Her experiences with her sister, who has Down's syndrome, have given her new perspectives and driven her to connect with and support disadvantaged communities. This combination of technical skills and social awareness makes Áine a promising future software engineer with the potential to make a positive impact on society.

Supporting Communities' Commitment to Education The Gallaher Trust and James Kane Foundation scholarships, administered by Supporting Communities, represent more than just financial assistance. They embody our organization's commitment to fostering educational opportunities and nurturing the next generation of leaders, innovators, and community-minded individuals.

These scholarships are designed to recognize not only academic excellence but also personal growth, community involvement, and the potential to make a positive impact.

Supporting Communities is proud to play a role in these students' journeys, providing them with the resources and encouragement they need to pursue their dreams. We believe that by supporting education and personal development, we can help build stronger, more resilient communities for years to come.

028 2564 5676

info@supportingcommunities.org

Annual Community Conference Celebrates HCN Communities

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Community Safety Initiatives Demonstrate Impressive Social Return on Investment

In a recent evaluation of community safety initiatives funded

Anita Doonan, the Funding and Social

by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), three

Value Officer at Supporting Communities,

projects have shown remarkable social value and return on

works with groups to conduct SROI

investment. These initiatives, located in Lisburn, Portadown,

analyses so they can quantify their

and West Belfast, have demonstrated that for every pound

impact and make data-driven decisions

invested, they generate over three pounds in social value.

about future initiatives.

This analysis provides valuable insights into the impact of community-driven safety programs.

Understanding Social Return on Investment (SROI) SROI is a method for measuring and accounting for a much broader concept of value. By incorporating social, environmental, and economic costs and benefits, it seeks to reduce inequality and environmental degradation and improve well-being.

SROI measures change in ways that are relevant to the people and organisations that experience or contribute to it.

It tells the story of how change is being created by measuring social, environmental, and economic outcomes and uses monetary values to represent them.

supportingcommunities.org

Lisburn SAFE: Building Community Resilience The Resurgam Trust's Lisburn SAFE project has shown a social return on investment (SROI) of £3.03 for every £1 invested.

This Lisburn area community safety volunteer service aims to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour while increasing feelings of safety among residents.

Key activities of the project include:

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Engaging 100 volunteers, contributing 10,000 volunteer hours Conducting 1,200 neighbourhood

YZone Youth Initiative: Empowering Young People in Portadown

interventions Supporting local events and festivals Collaborating with partners such as the PSNI and youth teams The project has benefited approximately 4,000 residents in Lisburn and surrounding areas.

Denis Paisley, Regeneration Manager at Resurgam Community Development Trust, expressed delight at the SROI results, stating, "The £3 to £1 ratio was excellent news! This support from NIHE for Lisburn SAFE to work with vulnerable people in the community is invaluable and demonstrates the value and impact of working with and managing volunteers."

The YZone Youth Initiative, run by Portadown Elim Church under the leadership of Campbell Best, has achieved an impressive SROI of £3.26 for every £1 invested.

Established in April 2000, the initiative focuses on reaching young people identified as 'at-risk' or 'marginalised' in the Portadown area.

The project's activities include: Creating outdoor spaces for young people Offering cooking and budgeting classes Teaching life skills and citizenship Collaborating closely with local schools The YZone initiative aims to reduce youth offending and improve community safety by engaging with young people early and providing support and guidance.

The project has successfully connected with a large number of young people, benefiting both the direct participants and the wider community.

028 2564 5676

info@supportingcommunities.org

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West Belfast Community Safety Initiative: Bridging Communities and Authorities The Upper Springfield Development Trust's Community Safety Initiative in West Belfast, led by Michael Donnelly, has demonstrated the highest SROI of the three projects at £3.40 for every £1 invested. This specialised community safety team supports residents in reporting crime and

A data-driven approach

anti-social behaviour to relevant authorities.

These three community safety initiatives demonstrate the substantial impact targeted, community-driven

Key features of the initiative include:

programs can have on local areas. These projects have not only enhanced community safety but have also

Hosting monthly community safety

provided excellent value for the invested funds.

forums across West Belfast Providing awareness and engagement

The impressive SROI figures highlight the importance of

sessions

continued support for such initiatives, as they clearly

Training volunteers and staff to offer

deliver tangible benefits to their communities. As these

additional support

projects evolve and adapt to local needs, they serve as

Bridging the gap between residents

inspiring examples of how community-led efforts can

and authorities

create lasting positive change in safety, youth

Contributing approximately 3,000

development, and community cohesion.

hours of volunteering Anita Doonan, Funding and Social Value Officer, worked The project covers a wide area, from Castle

with all three groups to produce SROI reports for their

Street and Divis Street in the city centre to

projects. She explained, “Our SROI analysis provides

the outskirts of West Belfast, including

these organisations with valuable insights that can

Suffolk Road, Poleglass, Twinbrook, and

shape their future strategies. By understanding the

Lagmore.

social value created per pound invested, project leaders can make informed decisions about resource allocation,

By encouraging residents to report

program expansion, and stakeholder engagement. This

incidents and facilitating communication

data-driven approach ensures that community safety

with agencies such as the NIHE, PSNI, and

initiatives maximise their positive impact on residents'

Belfast City Council, the initiative has

lives.”

significantly improved community safety and resident confidence.

Learn More Learn more about impact measurement with Supporting Communities’ self-guided training course online.

supportingcommunities.org

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Are you ready for the Digital Switchover?

The UK’s home phone (landline) service is getting an upgrade. The transition has already started and will continue over the next few years. Soon, most landline calls will be made over a broadband line.

The switchover should be straightforward for most people. Your phone number will remain the same, and most handsets work fine with the new system. However, there are some steps you need to take to make sure your landline services continue to

A Lisburn group with their BT information sheets

work. Your phone company will inform you ahead of the migration, but preparing now can make the transition smoother for you.

Supporting Communities is working with BT to help inform residents about what’s happening and what help is available to anyone who needs it. Our digital team has been on the road this summer and autumn, visiting libraries and community groups all over Northern Ireland to get the word out about the change and to make sure older and vulnerable people know where to go for assistance should they need it.

Information sessions are free!

If you work with a group that may need support with the switchover, contact Carla Mulholland at carla@supportingcommunities.org to arrange a visit.

028 2564 5676

info@supportingcommunities.org

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Meet Alex Hamill, Business Development Placement Student Alex is a Business Economics student who has chosen to take an optional placement year out from his studies to work with Supporting Communities. We asked him to write a bit about his experience so far!

“I’m currently a student at Queen’s University Belfast, studying Business Economics and this year, I’m doing a placement with Supporting Communities, where I’m working in business development. It’s been an exciting opportunity to apply what I’ve learned in my studies to a real-world setting, and I’m thrilled to be part of such an impactful organisation.

I’ll be graduating in 2026, and I’m hopeful that this placement year will provide me with invaluable experience and insight into the professional environment. I believe the skills I’m gaining during my time with Supporting Communities will stand me in good stead for my future career, giving me both practical knowledge and a deeper understanding of business development in the community sector.

I first became aware of Supporting Communities when I was awarded the Gallaher Trust Scholarship in 2022, which they facilitated. This introduction to the organisation sparked my interest in their mission and the work they do to empower communities, and I’m grateful for the chance to contribute this year.

supportingcommunities.org

Alex Hamill, in the middle, with Funding Officer Anita Doonan and CDO Matthew Bell at the Antrim Funding Fair in October.

My work so far has involved helping to develop a business plan to drive the organisation’s future growth.

Additionally, I’ve been involved in improving certain parts of the website, ensuring it better serves members and wider audiences.

It’s been a great experience so far, and I’m excited to see how the rest of my placement unfolds. I’m incredibly grateful for the warm welcome from the team and the opportunity to learn from such a dedicated organisation.”

We are delighted to have Alex join us this year. We know he will bring fresh ideas and new thinking to our organisation as we plan for our longer-term business goals. Colm McDaid, Supporting Communities’ Chief Executive, remarked, “The fact that Alex came to us through the Gallaher Trust Scholarship programme shows how investing in young people pays off for our communities, in this case even sooner than we thought!

Alex is a welcome addition to the team, and I look forward to his input over the coming year.”

A Message from our CEO I spoke briefly at the Annual Community Conference this year to support the launch of the Housing Executive’s new Community Involvement and Cohesion Strategy, and I want to share some of my thoughts with you all here.

The strategy’s priorities are to: “engage our communities to promote and strengthen involvement to enable our communities to influence, shape and improve our services, and to empower them to embrace community cohesion within and between our communities.”

What makes these goals possible is the day-to-day work of grassroots community development. It may not be glamorous, and it doesn’t make headlines, but this work is essential to building the kind of society we want to live in, and I am incredibly proud to be a part of it.

A bit of history for you… the Housing Community Network, the oftlauded ‘jewel’ in the housing executive’s crown, is at the core of the Housing Executive’s community involvement activity. But this didn’t happen overnight! The story of Supporting Communities and the evolution of the HCN are very much intertwined.

We trace our roots back to 1979 in Doury Road in Ballymena, where a tenant’s action group came together to address the problems in their estate. They went to the Housing Executive asking for support with community development, which was the beginning of a pilot project that evolved over the years into what we now know as Supporting Communities - the Independent Tenant Organisation for Northern Ireland.

As an independent intermediary, or ‘honest broker’, Supporting Communities does the essential work of keeping the network moving, convening and facilitating meetings at all levels, keeping an accurate record, and following up to ensure action is taken.

Our independence allows us to be effective in this role. We are trusted by both the communities we work with and the Housing Executive, who relies on us to be a ‘critical friend’. We make the HCN function by maintaining professionalism and neutrality - and believe me, it is no mean feat to walk the line between tenant and landlord sometimes!

Ultimately we are all working towards a common goal – that residents have a say in their housing and community services and can influence changes their communities need to thrive.

Com McDaid, CEO of Supporting Communities

At Supporting Communities, our goal as a charity is to create empowered, confident, and cohesive communities.

We do this by championing community participation through developing groups and supporting active citizenship.

Our impact on the HCN is frequently told in figures such as 557 groups supported, 125 Estate Inspections facilitated, 197 meetings held, and everyone’s favourite - a total of £1 million secured in funding last year through our support.

But numbers are just a part of the story.

Bricks and mortar may build houses, but building strong, vibrant, thriving, cohesive communities takes so much more. Our grassroots approach allows us to get to know the communities we work with and support them in achieving the things that they know will make a difference for them. When asked for feedback on our work, groups consistently tell us that our people are what they value most. Our staff are widely seen as responsive, helpful, dedicated, and prepared to go the extra mile for our customers. I am extremely proud of them all.

So, congratulations to the Housing Executive and the HCN on the new Strategy. We look forward to supporting you as we work to build the kind of neighbourhoods, communities and, yes, ultimately, the society we want to live in.

Together, we can.