Suffolk Lenadoon Interface Group

Chair, SLIG / Lenadoon Community Forum

Reneé has been involved in community work in Lenadoon for over the past 25 years. She is a founder member of both SLIG and the Lenadoon Community Forum and has worked for the Forum in both a voluntary and paid capacity since its inception, currently working as Strategic Development Coordinator. She represents the Forum at both the Suffolk Lenadoon Interface Group (SLIG) and Stewartstown Road Regeneration Project (SRRP)

Reneé represents the Forum as community representative on the West Belfast Partnership Board and is currently secretary of the board; she is also Chairperson of the Environmental Sub Group of the West Belfast Partnership Board.

Reneé also sits on the Lenadoon Neighbourhood Partnership Board and the Board of the Women's Support Network.

Treasurer, SLIG / Suffolk Community Forum

Jean has lived all of her life in the Suffolk estate and describes it as ‘almost an idyllic place to live in' before the troubles started. She has been involved in community development work in Suffolk for over 30 years and was one of the founder members of Action for Community Employment, a community employment programme in the early 1980's which she eventually managed for 16 years.

 A founder member and former Chairperson of the original Suffolk Strategy Group, now the Forum, Jean played a key role in helping to develop both the Suffolk Lenadoon Interface Group and the Stewartstown Road Regeneration Project.  Jean has been heavily involved in the development of Sparkles Daycare. She has been employed as the Community Development Worker in Suffolk for the past 9 years and feels privileged to have seen the work expand and develop as it has. Jean is passionate about the work she is involved in and hopes that in future years she can look back and feel that she has helped to make a difference.

Lenadoon Community Forum

Michael Doherty is Chairperson of both The Lenadoon Community Forum and Lenadoon Neighbourhood Partnership Board.  He is the manager of the Glen Community Complex, which houses Childcare, After Schools, Youth, Women's support and Family Outreach projects.  The complex also houses the Lenadoon Community Counselling and Lenadoon Education and Training projects, which are under the direction of Lenadoon Community Forum who are based in the complex.

Michael sits on a number of umbrella organisations and bodies including the Regional Suicide Strategy Implementation Board and the Eastern Health and Social Services Suicide Implementation Group.

Suffolk Community Forum

Caroline has worked for Suffolk Forum for 3 years, and previous to this worked for SLIG as Team Leader (Lenadoon) for 2 years. Caroline created the very sucessful Suffolk Eco Club, which she now manages full time. The club saw the creation of the Suffolk Community Gardens, which grows vegetables for the community and keeps hens to produce eggs, and has seen over ten local young men trained up. The Eco Club and Gardens have won numourous awards, including Belfast In Bloom Award 2011. 

SLIG Mentor / Belfast Interface Project

Chris is a graduate of Psychology and subsequently studied Youth and Community Work at UU and completed a Masters in Computer Science at QUB. In 1986 Chris took part in a pilot community development project in Suffolk, followed by similar projects through Belfast. He has worked as a freelance trainer in communication and negotiation skills, and has worked for Belfast Interface Project since it’s inception in 1995. His work focuses on enhancing knowledge of interface areas, lobbying for beneficial change for interface areas, developing the membership of BIP, and providing support for interface areas in addressing issues related to interface conflict.

Chris has been heavily involved with SLIG since 1996, and was involved as facilitator in the initial negotiations between the two communities. He now sits on the Management Committee in a non-voting advisory capacity. 

Suffolk Community Forum

Deborah has lived in Suffolk for thirty years.  She has worked on a voluntary basis in support of the Suffolk community for the past four years, and has previously been Chair of both SLIG and Suffolk Forum.  Deborah is also on the Suffolk Lenadoon Residents panel and sits on the board of the Stewartstown Road Regeneration Project.

Deborah supports the national autistic society and campaigns for autism rights.  She has strong feelings on housing rights and equality and works tirelessly with local residents groups on these issues, with a particular focus on the levels of derelict housing experienced in the Suffolk estate. She is currently studying for a qualification in community facilitation. 

Lenadoon Community Forum

Fiona grew up in Lenadoon and now lives here with her two daughters. She is a long-time volunteer for SLIG, Lenadoon Forum, and Glen Parent and Youth Centre, and in June 2011 was one of the first people to graduate from SLIG's Youth Worker Trainee Scheme. 

Fiona is currently studying for a qualification in community facilitation and is the newest addition to SLIG's Committee. 

Lenadoon Community Forum

We're currently writing some lovely words about Maureen, so come back in a few days to read all about them!

Lenadoon Community Forum

Paddy has been involved in community work in Lenadoon for over the past 25 years. He is a founder member of both SRRP , SLIG and the Lenadoon Community Forum and has worked for the Forum in both a voluntary and paid capacity since its inception .Paddy represents the Forum at both the Suffolk Lenadoon Interface Group (SLIG) and is presently the Chairman of the Stewartstown Road Regeneration Project (SRRP)

Paddy chairs the Forums Housing , Environment and Community Safety Group and is their representative on the West Belfast Community Safety Forum, Paddy also sits on the Lenadoon Neighbourhood Partnership Board .

Suffolk Community Forum

Rhona sits on Suffolk Forum representing SureStart. She is a life-long resident of Suffolk. 

Suffolk Community Forum

We're currently writing some lovely words about Stewart, so come back in a few days to read all about them!