Lisa and Nuala with some of the groups They supported through the Elevate Programme

Supporting Communities was delighted to be a part of the Community Development & Health Network’s (CHDN) Elevate programme for 2022-2023, providing mentoring support to organisations tackling health inequalities.

Elevate is a support programme for the community, voluntary and public sectors. It provides opportunities for the development of skills, knowledge and expertise in community development as a way to tackle health inequalities. The Public Health Agency provides the funding for Elevate through the Transformation Work Stream.

Our CDOs, Nuala Kildunne and Lisa Clarke, worked closely with CDHN to support three organisations: Fresh Minds Education, Antrim & Newtownabbey Seniors Forum, and The Parent Rooms. Each group received funding to support them in delivering their projects and to attend mentoring sessions with us.

The Antrim & Newtownabbey Seniors Forum’s project focused on empowering people over 50 throughout the borough. They held a series of workshops designed to build skills, connections and sustainability by addressing the health inequalities, current issues and needs of older people. They also worked to raise the organisation’s profile by building a database of contacts to get important information and opportunities out to a greater number of seniors in the area.

Fresh Minds developed a user collective of ‘experts by experience’ - those affected by poor mental health, emotional distress, loss or bereavement in the community. Through their user collective, they worked with three target groups, children, families, and professionals, over a six-month programme. The project also explored diversifying the organisation’s income through corporate sponsorship by building an understanding and skillset around developing a business case and package to approach potential partners. We helped to identify gaps in their network and linked them with other organisations and forums that could help.

Lisa Clarke (right) with Patricia Harte from CDHN and Chloe McVey from Parent Rooms.

Our third group, The Parent Rooms, addressed health inequalities for local parents experiencing poor mental health exacerbated by financial difficulties. It allowed 20 parents to access a 12-week mental health recovery programme called ‘Space 4 Me’ and 20 children (aged three and under) to attend ‘Space 4 Me too’, an early intervention program for children more likely to face health inequalities. ‘Space 4 Me’ responded to self-identified group needs and focused on recovery and sustaining improved health and development for parents and their children.

Our mentoring sessions helped these groups to develop individual action plans and identify ways that Supporting Communities could support their growth, such as networking opportunities, signposting, engagement with local forums and networks and support in reaching ‘hard-to-reach’ clients.

The Elevate Programme for 2022-23 has now ended, but the connection and support from Supporting Communities will continue!

“It has been a privilege to mentor these groups,” said Lisa Clarke. “It’s wonderful to share our expertise with groups doing such amazing work and to see the difference they make for their communities.”

The CDHN Elevate programme for 2023-2024 is now open for new applications. It closes on Monday, 28 August 2023.

Find out more and apply here: Elevate Application Form 2023 2024 - Elevate NI