Suffolk Lenadoon Interface Group

SLIG Strategic Development Manager

Harry has been an employee of the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) for 23 years. His tenure with the NICS has covered: 11 years working in the Social Security Agency, 1 year with Network Support Branch; and 10 years with Urban Regeneration Community Development Group.

He was the Neighbourhood Renewal Officer for the Lenadoon and Suffolk areas and the Colin area. Since July 2010 Harry has been seconded from DSD to SLIG, the secondment will span two years.

Intercultural Advocacy Worker (Suffolk)

Beverley comes from Larne in Co. Antrim and has worked in Northern Ireland since 2004. Beverley studied English at the University of Teesside in Middlesbrough, England before graduating from UU Jordanstown in 2001 with Youth Work and then 2004 with Social Work. Beverley worked in the United States from 1998 – 2002 for Camp America and prior to working in SLIG worked for the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland where she managed the Communities in Transition Programme across 12 areas of Northern Ireland.

Beverley’s role within SLIG includes working within the cultural and good relations theme of Community Development across both communities with a specific focus on supporting the Suffolk community. Her key areas of work currently are organising a Community Safety Event in November, setting up an Interagency Forum for the Suffolk area and identifying community/good relations programmes of activity to address community issues. This includes building and developing partnership working with current Suffolk community groups and supporting cross community working between the Suffolk and Lenadoon areas.

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.

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.

Youth Advocacy Worker

Ciaran McLaughlin is 29 years and 12 months old and married with 1 son. Ciaran has lived in the greater Lenadoon area all his life where he boxed for many years with the local Emerald ABC. He is a qualified teacher of politics and has extensive youth work experience.

Among many other things, his role at SLIG entails working with young people on both sides of the interface with the aim of building relationships, tackling sectarianism and reducing anti-social behaviour.  His first big exciting task is to further develop the Suffolk Lenadoon Youth Council (SLYC). This innovative idea will allow young people in the area to enrol in the council and voice their views to those who make decisions that impact upon their lives. It is also an excellent opportunity for young people to develop their personal and social skills, enhance their future career prospects and, very importantly, to have a bit of craic!

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.

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 Advocacy Worker (Lenadoon)

Joe joined the team in October 2009. He has lived most of his life in West Belfast and has a long-standing commitment to encouraging all residents to be involved in both peace-building and conflict resolution. Joe has worked at the ‘informal’ justice system for many years, engaging with both loyalist and republican paramilitaries and with the formal justice system.

Joe has assisted in diverting young people involved in antisocial and criminal behaviour and he is a strong advocate for promoting individual’s human rights and civic responsibilities. Joe’s career has included time as a detached youth worker in Leicester responding to issues as diverse as racism and social and economic empowerment. He is qualifies in Youth and Community Work and Social Work and is a qualified NVQ internal and external verifier.