Shauna O'Neill
Shauna's Latest content
| Title | Type | Summary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volunteers' Week 2026: A Time to Celebrate and Say Thank You | Article | Volunteers' Week 2026 takes place from 1–7 June, bringing together organisations and communities across the UK to celebrate the invaluable contribution volunteers make every day. | Published |
| Tender Opportunity: InsightLink Strategy & Action Plan | Article | NICVA is seeking to appoint an experienced consultant to develop a Strategy and Action Plan for InsightLink – Connecting Communities Through Shared Learning. | Published |
| NICVA SUMMIT 2026 to set the stage for cross sector collaboration | Article | NICVA has announced the return of its flagship NICVA Summit, taking place on 10 June at ICC Belfast amid growing pressures on voluntary organisations. The event will bring together hundreds of leaders, practitioners and decision makers from across the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, alongside partners from government and the business sector. | Published |
| Thousands Set to Lose Vital Support in less than 48 Hours amid Political Standoff | Article | Voluntary and community sector organisations across Northern Ireland are warning of an imminent crisis, as a 64% cut to vital community-based services under the new Local Growth Fund (LGF) is set to take effect within 48 hours. | Published |
| Have Your Say: NIPSO Launches Survey for the Voluntary and Community Sector | Article | The Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman (NIPSO) is inviting voluntary and community sector organisations to take part in a short, anonymous survey about their awareness and experience of NIPSO’s work. The survey takes 5–7 minutes to complete. | Published |
| Cuts to Local Growth Fund Leave Northern Ireland Behind | Article | The UK Government’s announcement of a major new youth employment drive stands in stark contrast to the reality facing people in Northern Ireland. A 64 % cut to funding for employability support programmes following the introduction of the Local Growth Fund from 1 April, will result in drastic programme cuts. While new initiatives unveiled today promise expanded apprenticeships, employer incentives and a strengthened Youth Guarantee in England, Northern Ireland is experiencing the opposite trajectory. | Published |
| Active Communities Network | Organisation | Published | |
| Positive Carrickfergus | Organisation | Published | |
| NICVA Consultation Response to the Department of Finance Draft Budget 2026–29/30 | Article | NICVA has submitted its response to the Department of Finance consultation on the Draft Budget 2026–2029/30, which closed on 3 March 2026. | Published |
| Good Relations and Faith | Event | Next in our occasional series of events where we explore how Good Relations intersects and overlaps with another topic is – Good Relations and Faith. | Published |
| NI Community sector escalates campaign as Ministers in Belfast and London urged to halt 64% funding cut | Article | The campaign to reverse a planned 64% cut to funding for Northern Ireland economic inactivity support programmes entered a critical new phase today, as three strategic meetings got underway with senior political leaders in Belfast and London to highlight impacts of planned drastic funding cuts. | Published |
| NICVA SUMMIT 2026 | Event | NICVA SUMMIT returns in June 2026, bringing together leaders, influencers and changemakers from across the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector for a day of inspiration, connection and learning. | Published |
| NICVA SUMMIT 2026 – Get Involved | Article | NICVA SUMMIT returns on Wednesday 10 June 2026 at ICC Belfast, and we are inviting our members to help shape the day. | Published |
| Local charities warn Westminster MPs of devastating consequences of 64% funding cut to vital services | Article | Members of the NI Affairs Select Committee at Westminster attended an urgent meeting in Belfast today to discuss looming funding cuts that could result in over 400 job losses in the community and voluntary sector. | Published |
| Tender Opportunities: Specialist Support for Key Joint Forum Workstreams | Article | NICVA is inviting tenders from suitably qualified service providers to support two key areas of work being progressed through the Joint Government and Voluntary Sector Forum, in line with its role to support the monitoring and implementation of the Partnership Agreement between Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector in Northern Ireland. | Draft |
| Open letter from the voluntary and community sector to the UK Government and NI Executive on the Local Growth Fund | Article | Open letter to Steve Reed MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government; Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; Michelle O’Neill MLA, First Minister and Emma Little-Pengelly MLA, Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. | Published |
| Shortsighted Cuts Will Devastate People, Prosperity and Ambition | Article | 64% funding slash threatens 400 jobs, vital services, and the future of thousands – Government must act now. | Published |
| NI Lighthouse Hostel Ltd | Organisation | Published | |
| Member Spotlight: Head Injury Support | Article | Head Injury Support (HIS) is an established charity based in Newry, providing vital, person-centred rehabilitation, wellbeing, respite, and long-term support for adults living with both traumatic and non-traumatic acquired brain injury (ABI), and their families. | Published |
| NICVA slam Christmas Shock for Northern Ireland’s Community Sector with 64% Funding Cut set to Threaten Jobs and Services | Article | NICVA has branded plans by the UK Government to slash funding for life changing community-based support programmes as “shameful”. | Published |
| NICVA’s New Look: Same Mission, Fresh Identity | Article | New look. Same mission. NICVA’s refreshed identity celebrates the energy, impact, and people at the heart of everything we do. Here’s why we’ve evolved – and what it means for our members and the wider sector | Published |
| NICVA AGM 2025 — Reflections, Renewal and a New Strategic Direction | Article | On Friday 5 December 2025, the NICVA community gathered for our Annual General Meeting, bringing together members, trustees, staff and partners from across the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. The AGM offered an important moment to reflect on the achievements and challenges of the past year, and to look ahead with purpose and ambition. | Published |
| Introducing Data Protection Fundamentals series – your essential guide to data protection with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) | Article | A blog from Aaron Johnson, ICO Lead Policy Officer Struggling with data protection? Our research has shown you’re not alone. Our new Data Protection Fundamentals series is here to make compliance simple, practical and affordable. We’re delighted to undertake this project partnership with NICVA to help the community and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland with its data protection awareness and confidence. | Published |
| New procurement guidelines to cut bureaucracy and save money announced | Article | Finance Minister John O’Dowd has announced updated guidelines to simplify arrangements for grant recipients. | Published |
| Northern Ireland on the Brink - 650 Jobs, 64 organisations and support for thousands of vulnerable people at risk without urgent action on Local Growth Fund | Article | Charities, politicians, and community organisations across Northern Ireland are urgently ringing the alarm bell as the future of vital services hangs in the balance. | Published |
| An Audience with Darren McGarvey and Festive AGM | Event | Join us for our Christmas Celebration and Annual General Meeting (AGM). The event will offer opportunities for networking, reflection, and inspiration – a chance for members to come together, celebrate our collective achievements, explore our new strategy, and hear from our powerful keynote speaker, Darren McGarvey. | Draft |
| New JobStart scheme announced | Article | The JobStart Scheme provides funding from the Department for Communities to allow employers to create new job opportunities to help those who are currently unemployed or economically inactive, in receipt of working age benefits and wish to enter or re-enter the workplace. | Published |
| Nominations Open: Join NICVA’s Executive Committee (2025–2028) | Article | We’re inviting NICVA members to help shape the future of our work by nominating candidates to join our Executive Committee. | Published |
| NICVA awarded grant to weave together stronger connections across the UK through new “Civic Threads” programme | Article | NICVA has received funding from the UK Government’s Connect Fund to launch Civic Threads – a new project that will help community and voluntary organisations across the UK work more closely together, share ideas, and strengthen their influence on policies that affect local people. | Published |
| The Foundation launches new fund offering creative support for charities in Northern Ireland | Article | Belfast-based design agency The Foundation has announced the launch of The Foundation Fund, offering 25 days of professional creative support to charities, community projects, social enterprises, and third-sector initiatives across Northern Ireland. | Published |
| Nearly 24,000 people face losing vital community services with funding on cliff edge | Article | Charities and community organisations across Northern Ireland are warning that nearly 24,000 people could be left without vital support unless urgent action is taken on future funding from the UK Government. | Published |
| Minister O’Dowd visits NICVA to meet ASCEND participants | Article | We were pleased to welcome Finance Minister John O’Dowd to NICVA on Wednesday 23 July for a special meeting with participants from our ASCEND Programme. | Published |
| Insight Exchange: Banking | Event | Struggling with Banking as a Voluntary or Community Organisation? You’re Not Alone. Join the Conversation. | Draft |
| Across Divides Podcast Returns — Season 3: Young Voices, Shared Futures | Article | Do you work with young people? If so, you would not want to miss the new season of the Across Divides podcast! | Published |
| £4 million to strengthen Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector | Article | Finance Minister, John O’Dowd and Alison Fraser, Senior Head of Funding at The National Lottery Community Fund, have launched the third phase of Dormant Assets funding in Northern Ireland. | Published |
| NICVA statement on violence and community unrest in Ballymena | Article | The Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) is deeply concerned by the recent events in Ballymena, where an alleged sexual assault involving a young girl has become the catalyst for escalating racially motivated violence and disorder. | Published |
| Member Spotlight: Clanrye Group | Article | At the heart of every thriving community is a commitment to inclusion, opportunity, and hope. Clanrye Group embodies this spirit, empowering people from all walks of life to overcome barriers and build brighter futures. Through a range of programmes focused on skills development, employability, and well-being, Clanrye Group walks alongside individuals every step of the way, providing not just support, but belief, connection, and real opportunities for lasting change.Read on to discover their inspiring journey and the impact they’re making in Northern Ireland. | Published |
| Volunteers’ Week 2025: A time to celebrate and say thank you | Article | Today marks the start of Volunteers’ Week 2025 – a UK-wide celebration running from 2–8 June, recognising the invaluable contribution volunteers make to our communities. | Published |
| CEP Networking Event 1: Peacebuilding Transforms Communities | Event | This is the first in a series of Networking Events as part of the Community Empowerment Programme, which is being delivered by NICVA and a network of community partners from across Belfast. | Draft |
| New PEACEPLUS Programme Launches to Empower Belfast Communities and Support Local Leadership | Article | A new, city-wide initiative has launched to empower communities across Belfast to shape the future of their local areas, strengthen relationships, and build lasting change through collaboration and leadership. | Published |
| Make the most of your NICVA Membership | Basic page | Welcome to NICVA – we’re thrilled to have you as part of our community of members! At NICVA, we work with and for our members, and we are excited to support you and your organisation in making an even bigger impact. | Published |
| Spring statement briefing | Article | NICVA’s Director of Policy and Insight Jonny Currie provides an overview of key issues relating to this week’s Spring Statement. | Published |
| Delivery partners appointed for Belfast PEACEPLUS projects | Article | A number of organisations have been appointed to deliver key projects as part of council’s £15.1m Belfast PEACEPLUS Local Community Action Plan. The plan is funded by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). | Published |
| Minister announces £1500 Support Payment for Voluntary and Community organisations | Article | Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced a £1500 support payment for Voluntary and Community organisations funded through his department’s Voluntary & Community Division and Community Empowerment Division. | Published |
| Limbless Association | Organisation | Published | |
| Craigowen Housing Association | Organisation | Published | |
| Open College Network and NICVA announce strategic partnership | Article | Renewed focus on upskilling education and training facilitators in the voluntary and community sector. | Published |
| Member Spotlight: USEL - Creating Opportunities, Changing Lives | Article | At USEL (Ulster Supported Employment Ltd), empowerment is the purpose. As Northern Ireland’s leading provider of employment support for people with health conditions and disabilities, USEL has been transforming lives for over 60 years. Their mission is simple: to provide access to employment, training, and support services to people who face barriers to work due to a health condition or disability. | Published |
| test article | Article | test article saved in draft 12 Feb 2025 | Draft |
| Funding Fayre 2025 | Article | Summary here | Draft |