We offer practical advice to assist organisations involved in or considering collaboration or mergers. You can find out more on our CollaborationNI webpage.
Mencap NI and Caring Breaks: Redefining shared spaces for innovation
21 January, 2026Last updated4 February, 2026NICVA Member Spotlight
In Northern Ireland’s voluntary and community sector, collaboration isn’t just a buzzword - it can be a gamechanger. Two NICVA members, Mencap Northern Ireland and Caring Breaks, are working together in a way that could reshape how support is delivered to families caring for individuals with learning disabilities.
CollaborationNI supporting the Homeless Prevention Floating Support Forum
6 November, 2014Last updated2 August, 2024CollaborationNI have been involved in supporting the Homelessness Prevention over the past year.The Skainos Project - shared premises
11 September, 2014Last updated2 August, 2024The Skainos Centre is a regeneration project providing shared space for community transformation and renewal. This case study examines the process, challenges and benefits of developing a large collaborative project for shared premises.Fermanagh House - shared premises
11 September, 2014Last updated2 August, 2024Fermanagh House is a social enterprise owned by the Fermanagh Trust. It provides an example of one way that VCSE organisations can come together to share space and by doing so access greater resources than any one organisation could on its own.Confederation of Community Groups – Ballybot House and An Storás - shared premises
11 September, 2014Last updated2 August, 2024This case study outlines the process undertaken by the Confederation of Community Groups in the development and establishment of shared premises, Ballybot House and An Storás, which it leases to 19 voluntary and community organisations in Newry.Cara-Friend - sharing premises and knowledge; delivering joint services
11 September, 2014Last updated2 August, 2024By sharing premises organisations can begin to share knowledge, deliver joint services and decrease duplication. Cara-Friend, The Rainbow Project and LASI (now HERE NI) tell their story of improving services by sharing premises.Better Together - a partnership between Cancer Focus and Lilac
11 September, 2014Last updated2 August, 2024The most successful collaborations are based around sound strategic reasons for working together. This case study shows how two organisations of different sizes can bring their assets together to improve services for shared beneficiaries.Autism NI, Mencap and SELB - joint working for young people with learning disabilities
10 September, 2014Last updated2 August, 2024Joint working can provide a more holistic service to beneficiaries. This case study provides an example of the process of planning and carrying out a project across organisational boundaries and some of the resulting challenges and benefits.Abbeyfield UK (NI) Ltd. - a successful merger
10 September, 2014Last updated2 August, 2024Before merging 16 separate societies were operating under the Abbeyfield brand, all providing similar services. It was decided that by merging these organisations could run more effectively. A case study of their merger is presented here.Walled City Partnership - a journey to sharing premises and services
11 December, 2011Last updated2 August, 2024This case study examines the formation of the Walled City Community Partnership. Organisations with a shared ethos, all facing financial challenges worked together to create shared premises, develop shared services and ensure their survival.