Blog: A little bit about the stakeholder forum
Manager of North Down Community Network (NCDN), a 25-year-old charity based in Bangor, Louise Little has also been an integral member of the Commission’s stakeholder forum since 2021.
She has a wealth of experience from the charity sector, having volunteered and worked in various charities both locally and internationally since 2000. This has included areas such as youth, conflict transformation, restorative justice, women’s sector, peace building, community development and capacity building.
In our latest blog from the forum, Louise (pictured below) discusses the benefits she has gained from the stakeholder forum, as well as what she sees as the current challenges facing Northern Ireland’s charity sector.
Louise, can you tell us a little about your charity - North Down Community Network (NCDN)?
Of course. NCDN aims to enhance the quality of life of the people of North Down by supporting, co-ordinating and representing community and voluntary groups in the area. At present, we support 52 member groups in a wide range of ways including community development, health and well being activities, advocacy, governance and youth provision delivery in areas of need across North Down.
You have worked there for 12 years now – what would you say is the best thing about your job?
The community partners and volunteers we support are an inspiration each day. They are lobbying and advocating for important change and access to the services, facilities and provision they are entitled to, but which are being withheld. Their determination, commitment and dedication are an inspiration, but their time and patience are, understandably, limited. We often need to think creatively about how to support, adapt and pivot quickly to help meet their needs and get the outcome required. In fact, at times, we are more like translators and co-ordinators. Most importantly there is nothing like the humour and craic of our sector. We have had the best laughs at some of the toughest times because of the people we work, support and partner with.
What are the biggest challenges facing NDCN?
Like many charities, one of the biggest challenges is sustainability - valuable projects ending because funding stops. In my experience, the biggest challenge is that our sector is simply not valued as it should be. There is a vast range of groups and organisations that all sit under the ‘charity’ term but are often different. Some have staff, some don’t. Some have government and political support, some don’t. Some have influence, some don’t. At times they are compared to each other or pressurised to compete. The one thing they have in common is that they are seeking to do good.
Sadly, however, the needs they are addressing should be resourced to be minimised, if not prevented; but there are no resources for that. All the while, the sector is scrabbling to plug huge gaps, not of their making, because they care about people and their communities. It is a great challenge to motivate and encourage volunteer led community groups who speak out on these issues and transparently share their views, struggles and needs.
How did you come to join the Commission’s stakeholder forum?
I was inspired to understand how the Commission could work and develop to support and engage the groups, organisations and people we support. It was important, to me, that the experiences of those groups and people featured, that the Commission understood the impact of compliance on them. I was also keen that they have a voice – that legislation isn’t just applied to their charity but, via the forum, that they are part of its implementation.
How have you found the forum so far – has it been helpful? Met your expectations?
I have found the Commission open to frank and direct feedback and have been responsive to ideas and suggestions. I have also found the staff to be responsive and open, which is appreciated.