About Us - The Team
SLIG has a team of 10 full time staff, funded by Atlantic Philanthropies and the Good Relations Unit. Here is a brief introduction to each team member, including details of how to contact them:
Finance and Administration Worker
Laura graduated from University of Ulster in 2002, and subsequently has 6 years experience in all aspects of administration and finance, including nearly two years for the Integrated Education Fund and two years with the Government of Northern Ireland. Laura's role in SLIG is to co-ordinate all financial management, and provide office management and daily admin support for the team, as well as assisting the Operations Manager.
On a voluntary basis, Laura is on the Management Committee of Sparkles Daycare. She has a qualification in counselling, and worked for three years with a voluntary listening agency. She has also been involved in other outreach projects on a voluntary basis.
Intercultural Capacity Worker
Darren's role involves coordinating the staff team for the Suffolk area and reporting on the progress of the project to the SLIG management committee. A major part of the job is advocacy, where the lobbying of statutory agencies for the benefit of local people is of great importance. Darren is currently studying for a community development degree on a part time basis at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown. He has lived in the Suffolk area for thirty six years and his hobbies include playing football for his local side Suffolk FC.
Youth Advocacy Worker, Lenadoon
Cathal, more widely known as ‘Ses', is 32 years old and has a son. He has lived in Belfast all his life, and been involved in youth work for 15 years, gaining experience in a number of fields including Outreach / detached youth work, outdoor sports, centre based work and alternative learning. His experience of working with young people covers a broad spectrum from Primary and secondary schools, young offenders, young people at risk, cross community, cross border and international.
Ses started in SLIG as a part-time Interface Youth Worker over two years ago, before becoming a Youth Advocacy Worker. His role involves personal and social development, assisting with existing youth facilities in the Lenadoon area, development of single-identity, cross community and intervention programmes. Another aspect of Ses's work includes development of provision of youth provision by sourcing and offering training to young people.
Sports Policy and Advocacy Officer
Neil was born and bred in Lenadoon and plays an active role in local football club, St Oliver Plunkett FC where he started as a player over 20 years ago; he is now a coach and committee member. He also sits on the committees of the South Belfast Youth League and Northern Ireland Boys Football Association. Neil swapped a career as a Qualified Financial Advisor specializing in Mortgages for a new life in Sports Development on a fixed term contract. Neil hopes he can make sport and physical recreation accessible to everyone in Lenadoon and he plans provide a platform for people of all ages, shapes and sizes to participate in their sport of choice. His objective is to develop Sport in the community and ultimately develop the community through Sport.
Health and Women’s Development Co-ordinator
Paula comes from Co Tyrone, however has lived in Belfast for 10 years. She graduated from UU Jordanstown in 2003 and then furthered her education by specialising in Health Promotion. Prior to working for SLIG Paula worked with various Community and Voluntary groups carrying out Health Promotion and Health Research, including Women's Groups, Drug Awareness Groups and Elderly Groups. Paula currently is a member of a Cross Community Women's Group and is also studying to become a Reflexologist.
Paula's role in SLIG is to improve the Health and Wellbeing of the Suffolk and Lenadoon communities and create opportunities for local women to develop the social, educational and health elements of their lives.
Operations Manager
Prior to joining SLIG as Operations Manager in October 2009, Barry spent 11 years working for the Simon Community. For the past 9 years Barry has wokred as Project Manager of several homeless hostels, which involved providing services to single individuals and families. This role required undertaking responsiblilty for the supervision and development of several staff teams and the development of new services.
As SLIG's Operations Manager Barry is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the project, and supporting the staff team.
Sustainable Communities Officer
We're currently writing some lovely words about Jackie, so come back in a few days to read all about them!
Intercultural Capacity Worker
We're currently writing some lovely words about Joe, so come back in a few days to read all about them!
Strategic Development Manager
We're currently writing some lovely words about Lisa, so come back in a few days to read all about them!