Coming Full Circle

Emma McDonald, CDO for North Belfast

By Emma McDonald, Community Development Officer – North Belfast 

Meet Emma, Supporting Communities’ newest Community Development Officer, working in the North Belfast area. In her own words, Emma shares how a career break led her to the work she truly loves – and how doing what you’re passionate about can make all the difference, both to yourself and to the communities you serve. 

I was on a career break when I took the opportunity to get more involved in the day-to-day running of my local community group, where I’d already volunteered as a youth club leader. What began as a way to fill my time soon became something far more meaningful. Being embedded in the community – seeing first-hand the difference that dedicated, caring people can make – reminded me of why giving back matters so much. It wasn’t long before I realised this was where my heart truly belonged. 

That experience helped me discover my passion for community enrichment, and when it was time to return to the workforce, I knew I wanted to make a change. I made the decision to move from my previous role in the public sector into voluntary and community-based organisations, where I was already finding a newfound sense of purpose.  

During my time with the community group, I had the opportunity to attend training provided by Supporting Communities. I found the course invaluable in my role as Committee Secretary. The content was relevant and understandable, delivered by a competent and friendly trainer. The experience left a real impression on me. Having come from a large public-sector organisation driven by quality, I recognised that same trait in Supporting Communities – a genuine commitment to excellence - with a warmth that made them a pleasure to engage with. I instinctively knew it would be a wonderful organisation to be part of. That was almost ten years ago! 

On my return to working life, I developed professionally across a range of roles. My work brought me to North Belfast, firstly as an Employment & Support Worker at Women’s Tec, working with economically inactive women to realise their full potential, then to Bryson, where I was a Community Engagement Officer tackling deprivation and poverty. Each role deepened my understanding of the challenges people face and strengthened my belief in the power of community to transform lives. Whatever position I held, I always subscribed to the Supporting Communities E-zine, keeping up to date with funding and training opportunities, and signposting others to its resources whenever I could. Even from a distance, that connection to Supporting Communities remained a constant thread running through my career. 

Fast-forward to November 2025, when the CDO role for North Belfast was advertised. I knew right away that this was my opportunity – not just to further my passion for community development in an area where I had already worked, but more importantly, to give back to the organisation that had unknowingly guided me onto this path so many years before. Supporting Communities had shaped my journey, and now I had the chance to contribute to theirs. 

They say that when you do what you love, everything else falls into place. I truly believe that. Thankfully, I’ve come full circle, but I'm just getting started!