Sir Kenneth Branagh, NICVA President’s first stop, North Belfast.

His first stop though was at NICVA for a private meeting and briefing as NICVA President on how community and voluntary organisations were coping with the challenges of the last 20 months of the pandemic.

He heard from NICVA Vice Chair Charlene Brooks, Chief Executive Seamus McAleavey and Deputy Chief Executive Úna McKernan of the extraordinary response of community and voluntary groups across Northern Ireland, the spontaneous responders who did so much to help the whole community deal with the crisis particularly people shielding before the arrival of the vaccination programme.

He remarked how proud he always is to come home and to hear the achievements of so many great people across Northern Ireland. The humanity on display as people rise to adversity.