Supporting Communities

01/09/2026

What a great turnout last week at the annual meeting between Central Housing Forum and the Housing Executive’s Board members - a perfect opportunity to share our recent social return on investment report!

This independent study highlights the difference that the Housing Executive’s investment in us makes to estates and communities in Northern Ireland.

The Ards and North Down example really shows how we act as ‘systems enablers’, creating ripple effects far beyond our direct activities by unlocking potential, coordinating action, and building the infrastructure that enables communities to thrive.

Read more about our social value impact and get the report here: https://supportingcommunities.org/social-value-impact

Housing Executive

01/09/2026

31/08/2026

Happy bank holiday, everyone! Supporting Communities is closed today; we'll be back online tomorrow😊

28/08/2026

Housing Rights, in collaboration with Renters' Voice, has relaunched its "Tenant Participation and the Private Rented Sector in Northern Ireland" OCN training programme. Across two sessions, learners will learn the issues facing tenants in private renting, including the advantages and disadvantages of private renting, the principles of tenant participation, reform proposals, and how to influence change in the sector.

The course is perfect for anyone wanting to learn more about facilitation work or the private rented sector in general. Dates include Friday, 9th October & Friday, 23rd October, with each session from 10am – 3pm.
https://www.housingrights.org.uk/training-and-events/tenant-participation-and-private-rented-sector-northern-ireland-2026-10

28/08/2026

Got that back-to-school feeling? It's the end of August and time for another funding bulletin!

Check out our latest round-up of funding opportunities online now: https://supportingcommunities.org/funding-bulletin

27/08/2026

It's great to see peer learning in action as reps from our South Area travelled up to Ards and North Down to see the fantastic community work happening there. They were very pleased to return the favour after AND area reps visited Armagh back in April.

The exchange was facilitated by our CDOs for the two areas, so thank you, Jordan and Sarah, for organising a really enjoyable day.

These visits take place thanks to the Housing Community Network, the umbrella that connects community groups and residents across Northern Ireland, helping build relationships, share knowledge and support peer learning between areas. It's this network that makes exchanges like this possible, so groups can learn from each other rather than working in isolation.

A huge thank you to West Winds Development Association Information, Bowtown Community Development Group, and Newtownards Community Well-being and Advice Association for hosting our visitors and sharing their experience so generously.

Groups discussed a wide range of community-led projects, including:
🌱 Environmental improvements
🥕 Allotments
♻️ Reimagining spaces
🤝 Partnership projects
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Youth projects
🧠 Dementia-friendly initiatives

It was a hugely valuable day of networking, shared learning, and inspiration. Some of the best ideas come from communities learning from one another!

Housing Executive

26/08/2026

Sarah's Saturday didn't end with the Millisle Kite Festival! She also called into the family celebration event in Ards, which concluded the Summer Diversionary Fest programme run in partnership by Glen Ward Community Development Association and Newtownards Community Well-being and Advice Association.

The family event included bouncy castles, a petting zoo, BBQ, and a visit from Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service.

The event followed a successful two-week youth diversionary project, which included circus workshops, science workshops, arts & crafts, and games. A total of 50 kids were able to get involved thanks to funding from Housing Executive, Ark Housing Association and Radius Housing.👏

26/08/2026

The Kite Festival in Millisle drew great crowds and a terrific atmosphere this past Saturday 🪁 Conditions were perfect for flying!

Our CDO, Sarah, joined in the fun with her son, who volunteered to pick up litter and is already looking forward to next year😊

We know a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to pull together this kind of event - from securing funding to planning delivery to running the event on the day - so to everyone involved, we say a very big well done to you all! 🎉

Millisle Community Association Millisle Regeneration Housing Executive Ark Housing Association Ards and North Down Borough Council

25/08/2026

Our CDO, Sarah, was at the Community Health & Wellbeing Event in Ards last week, connecting with individuals and a range of organisations delivering health & wellbeing support across the area.

She was joined by Housing Executive Assistant Area Manager for Ards & North Down, Steven McBurney, and Good Relations Officer, Gus Moore.

Thanks to Radius Housing and Ark Housing Association for coordinating the event as part of the Housing for All Shared Housing Programme in Ards.

Sarah even got a quick health check from Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke while she was there! ❤️

Great to see so much positive engagement and support on offer for the local community.

24/08/2026

Our CDO Sarah was out at West Winds estate in Newtownards last week, joining staff from the Housing Executive's Social Enterprise Team to check out the newest addition to the West Winds Development Association's toolkit — a ride-on lawnmower!

Purchased through NIHE Social Investment funding, this new equipment is set to power a fantastic community-led initiative: a garden maintenance service run by local volunteers, helping keep residents' gardens and communal green spaces looking their best across the estate.

It's a brilliant example of what can happen when funding, local know-how and volunteer spirit come together! This is real, practical support that makes a visible difference in the community. 👏

(And yes, Sarah couldn't resist a photo op behind the wheel 😄🚜)

Housing Executive West Winds Development Association Information