Supporting Communities

Supporting Communities Supporting Communities has worked for over 40 years advising, supporting, enabling and ultimately empowering Communities in all four corners of our province.

We are an independent charitable organisation that champions tenant and community participation by developing groups, supporting active citizenship and building cohesive communities in Nothern Ireland. As the only independent body in the social housing sector, Supporting Communities can deliver essential services to all sectors of the community at the highest level without prejudice. We are extrem

ely proud of our dynamic team. As experts in the field of social housing, we are held in high esteem by professional partners and customers alike. Supporting Communities holds our team of fresh thinkers in high regard. Always seeking to develop innovative ideas to solve problems, they are confident, dynamic and enthusiastic. Our team are responsive, dedicated, and prepared to go the extra mile for customers. We are a growing and ever-evolving organisation, but we never forget that the behaviours that set us apart are our friendly manner, our inclusive approach and our personal touch. We are unique, one of a kind. Find out more about our services and projects at www.supportingcommunities.org.

At yesterday's Ards & North Down Area Housing Community Network meeting, Reps took time to celebrate and say a heartfelt...
28/05/2026

At yesterday's Ards & North Down Area Housing Community Network meeting, Reps took time to celebrate and say a heartfelt farewell to outgoing Area Manager Eileen Thompson as she moves on to an exciting new role.

Area HCN community chair Jo Scott presented Eileen with a cake on behalf of the members, a small token of the community's appreciation for all her work.

Reps spoke warmly of the valued relationship built up with Eileen over the years, who always championed the importance of the Housing Executive and community groups working hand in hand for the benefit of local people. That partnership approach makes a real difference, and Eileen has been a fantastic example of it in action.

The meeting also welcomed her replacement, Jill Gallagher, and we look forward to building a strong working relationship together!

Wishing Eileen and Jill all the very best in their new roles!

Housing Executive

It was Estate Inspections time in the Omagh North Area last week🌞Our Community Development Officer, Ashley, was out with...
27/05/2026

It was Estate Inspections time in the Omagh North Area last week🌞

Our Community Development Officer, Ashley, was out with Lisanelly Regeneration Group, Strathroy Sca, and Mullaghmore and Castleview Community Association for a walkabout looking at all sorts of maintenance and other issues.

One thing that really stood out to her, Ashley says, was that the estates are being kept to a noticeably higher standard, and the community groups themselves were quick to recognise that the interagency work throughout the year is one of the reasons why!

A huge thanks also to our partners who joined us on the ground from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and the Housing Executive.

Behind every successful community project, there's usually someone you don't immediately see - a connector, an enabler, ...
26/05/2026

Behind every successful community project, there's usually someone you don't immediately see - a connector, an enabler, someone who gets (and keeps) the ball rolling.

For Comber's START (Street Art) Project, one of those people was Sarah Harkness-Robinson, a community development officer at Supporting Communities.

The START Project brought together Comber Community Residents Group(CCRG), Ards and North Down Borough Council's Community Safety Team, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland to engage young people who were disengaged from their community and to provide them with a legitimate, skilled, creative outlet.

Sarah's role was to help make it real by building relationships between organisations, supporting CCRG in pursuing funding, and holding the space for collaboration when challenges arose.

Without that kind of connective support, the project may never have moved beyond a good idea at an interagency meeting.

With it, a group of young people went from being flagged at risk of anti-social behaviour to standing in Holywood Library, watching the public admire (and buy!) their original artwork.

The impact has been measurable: graffiti in the target areas has stopped, statutory partners have been able to redirect time and resources away from graffiti removal, and residents who were worried about anti-social behaviour have seen those concerns taken seriously and have had the chance to meet and get to know the very young people they had worried about.

This is what Supporting Communities does best. We don't deliver projects for communities - we help communities deliver their own.

🔗Read more about this inspiring project here: https://supportingcommunities.org/latest-news/2026/5/19/from-graffiti-to-gallery-combers-start-project-reaches-a-landmark-moment

Ark Housing Association Housing Executive Radius Housing

Now Hiring! Finance & Administration Officer (ONSIDE Evolution Project)(Part-time/ 20 hours per week)Supporting Communit...
25/05/2026

Now Hiring! Finance & Administration Officer (ONSIDE Evolution Project)
(Part-time/ 20 hours per week)

Supporting Communities is recruiting a Finance & Administration Officer to support the delivery of the ONSIDE Evolution Project, a cross-border initiative supported by PEACEPLUS.

This role is central to ensuring the smooth financial and administrative operation of the project. You will work as part of the Finance & Administration team to manage financial records, support project reporting, and ensure compliance with organisational procedures and PEACEPLUS programme requirements.

Key responsibilities include maintaining accurate financial records, supporting procurement processes, reconciling expenditure through Sage or equivalent systems, and preparing financial claims for submission. You will play an important role in ensuring that all project expenditure is fully evidenced, compliant, and audit-ready.

You will also support the wider project team with administrative tasks, helping to ensure that reporting deadlines are met and that documentation is well organised and accessible. The role requires strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with finance and administration experience who is looking to contribute to a meaningful project that supports digital inclusion and improved access to services for people with disabilities.

Know someone right for this role? Check out the job here: https://supportingcommunities.org/jobs/ -admin

25/05/2026

We're off today for the bank holiday! Hope the sun is shining where you are 🌞

We're looking for a Community Development Officer to cover South and East Belfast!This role supports local initiatives, ...
24/05/2026

We're looking for a Community Development Officer to cover South and East Belfast!

This role supports local initiatives, engages residents, and drives positive community impact. If you’re enthusiastic, people-focused, and ready to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you!

Could this be you or someone you know?

Check out the job on our website here: https://supportingcommunities.org/jobs/

We were delighted to be invited to join The Warehouse Newtownards for today's royal visit — a wonderful recognition of t...
21/05/2026

We were delighted to be invited to join The Warehouse Newtownards for today's royal visit — a wonderful recognition of the vital work they do day in, day out.

Our Community Development Officer, Sarah, had the honour of meeting both King Charles and Queen Camilla. She spoke with the Queen about the enormous value of volunteers in our communities, and with the King about why measuring impact matters so much to the work we all do.

It was also brilliant to see Bangor Food Bank amongst the organisations represented, and a huge congratulations to Loughries Men's Shed, who also hosted the King for a visit - a real testament to the strength of community organisations in the area.

We're proud to play a role in supporting organisations like The Warehouse, and days like today are a reminder of just how much great work is happening right across our communities.

Our CDO, Ashley, called out to see Francie from Cavanaleck Community Association in Enniskillen this week. She was excit...
21/05/2026

Our CDO, Ashley, called out to see Francie from Cavanaleck Community Association in Enniskillen this week. She was excited to report that the playpark the group has campaigned for for years is finally underway!

She was delighted to see the work getting started. Well done to the group for all the hard work that goes into getting something like this off the ground! 👏👏👏

Earlier this May, our CEO, Colm McDaid, attended the International Union of Tenants (IUT)'s World Conference in Malmö an...
20/05/2026

Earlier this May, our CEO, Colm McDaid, attended the International Union of Tenants (IUT)'s World Conference in Malmö and Copenhagen, which marked the organisation's 100th anniversary and brought together tenant organisations from across the world.

Colm was there not only representing Supporting Communities as our sector's sole delegate from the UK and Ireland, but also attending for the first time as a newly approved IUT Board member.

The conversations he came back with were stark. Soaring energy costs, unaffordable rents, and a lack of suitable housing are placing growing pressure on individuals, families and communities everywhere. These aren't abstract policy problems; they are the daily reality for a huge proportion of the population.

He writes, “High rents and a shortage of decent housing are pushing people out of cities, towns and villages across the world. Hearing those shared experiences from so many different places made the issue feel both bigger and more immediate. The housing crisis is not only a housing issue, but also a social crisis, touching every part of people’s lives.”

👉 Read more in Colm's latest blog here: https://supportingcommunities.org/blog/2026/5/14/together-we-are-stronger-my-reflections-on-the-iut-world-conference-2026

Our CDO, Sarah, had the pleasure of attending the launch of a brand new living wall yesterday in Millisle - a real commu...
19/05/2026

Our CDO, Sarah, had the pleasure of attending the launch of a brand new living wall yesterday in Millisle - a real community effort that brought people together!

The beautiful living wall, featuring native species, has been installed on the Ark development wall and is the result of a fantastic partnership between the Millisle Community Association, the Housing Executive, and Ark Housing Association.

💚 The CA Men's Shed crafted the planters
🌱 Native species were selected with expert advice from Ulster Wildlife
🏡 Ark residents will take pride of place by maintaining the flowers

The group also unveiled their fun new shutter, another brilliant addition that brightens up the village and makes it a welcoming place for residents and visitors alike.

A huge congratulations to everyone involved, including all those who attended the launch, members of the Community Association and residents, the Housing Executive, Ark, Cllr Joe Boyle, Cllr. Pete Wray UUP, and Alex Easton MP .

Address

Balmoral Hotel Belfast
Dunmurry
BT10 0NF

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+442825645676

Website

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