Funded by Dormant Assets NI through The National Lottery Community Fund’s Access to Resilience Programme, ASCEND provides tailored support to organisations working at the heart of their communities, helping them grow in confidence, strengthen governance, and build resilience for the future.
Supporting a Diverse Cohort
Seven organisations took part in the first year of ASCEND:
- ACSONI
- Counselling All Nations
- Dom Polski
- ImageNation
- Multi-Ethnic Sports and Culture NI (MSCNI)
- Polish Sisterhood
- YALLAA
These organisations reflected a wide range of stages – from early development to periods of rapid growth. They all shared a strong commitment to supporting their communities.
Participants accessed a tailored package of support, including:
- One-to-one mentoring and coaching
- Bespoke training sessions
- Peer learning and networking opportunities
- Advice on governance and organisational development
They also benefited from practical resources such as governance document reviews, GrantTracker subscriptions, and ongoing access to NICVA support.
A Year of Progress and Reflection
Across the cohort, the ASCEND programme helped organisations step back, reflect on their development, and identify practical steps for growth.
While each organisation’s journey was different, there were several consistent areas of impact.
Strengthening Governance
A key outcome of Year 1 was increased understanding and confidence around governance.
Organisations reported:
- Greater clarity on board roles and responsibilities
- Development or review of governance structures and documentation
- Progression from informal arrangements towards more formal structures
For some early-stage groups, this support was instrumental in preparing for formal registration, including charity readiness.
Sharpening Strategic Focus
ASCEND also supported organisations to better define their direction and priorities.
Through business planning and strategic discussions, participants were able to:
- Identify the need for new or updated strategic plans
- Develop clearer action plans
- Think more confidently about long-term sustainability
Even where formal plans are still in development, organisations now have a stronger sense of direction.
Building Confidence
For many participants, ASCEND provided a valuable confidence boost at critical stages of development.
Organisations described feeling more equipped to:
- Take the next steps in their growth
- Apply for funding
- Manage transitions such as scaling up services
The combination of structured support and a supportive programme environment helped create the conditions for progress.
Strengthening Organisational Practice
In addition to strategic gains, ASCEND contributed to improvements in day-to-day organisational processes.
Examples included:
- More structured recruitment and selection processes
- Improved governance documentation
- Greater awareness of operational gaps and how to address them
These changes are helping organisations operate more effectively and sustainably.
The Power of Peer Learning
Opportunities to connect with other organisations were a valuable part of the programme.
Participants highlighted the benefits of:
- Sharing experiences and challenges
- Learning from peers in similar contexts
- Building new connections and relationships
Participants highlighted peer learning and networking as one of the most valuable aspects of the programme, reinforcing the importance of maintaining strong opportunities for connection in future delivery.
Quotes from the Participants
ASCEND is an excellent programme with very good workshops and outstanding tailored support delivered at just the right time to support an organisation growing and in transition.
The coaching was valuable as it was easy to schedule and provided personalised support and delivered organisational impact. Access to GrantTracker was also a key benefit.
The programme helped to develop confidence and increased awareness of other support available through NICVA.
Excellent networking opportunities
Learning for the Future
Year 1 has provided valuable insights that will shape the future of ASCEND. Key areas for development include:
- Tailored support: Adapting content to better reflect different stages of organisational development
- Introductory resources: Providing a “beginner’s toolkit” for newer organisations
- Stronger follow-up: Maintaining engagement between sessions
- Flexible delivery: Exploring a wider range of scheduling options
- Protected networking: Ensuring peer learning remains a core part of the programme
Looking Ahead
The first year of ASCEND has laid strong foundations for continued impact.
By supporting organisations to strengthen governance, clarify strategy, and build confidence, the programme is helping to create a more resilient and connected community and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland.
As ASCEND enters Year 2, NICVA is continuing to build on these foundations and welcomes expressions of interest from organisations working with ethnically minoritised communities across Northern Ireland.
If your organisation would like to find out more about the programme, visit our ASCEND hub or get in touch to discuss getting involved [email protected] .
