Author: Tina Calder

Social Media Fest Set For Belfast Debut With Packed Line-Up Of Local Experts

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A social media conference that has become one of Ireland’s most talked-about events for creators, entrepreneurs and small business owners is coming to Belfast for the first time, with organisers promising an experience that stands apart from what is currently on offer in the market.

Social Media Fest, which has previously taken place in Wexford and Dublin, will bring its sixth edition to the Clayton Hotel in Belfast on Wednesday, April 29.

Running from 9am to 5pm, the event is built around the theme “Connect, Create, Conquer: Mastering the Social Media Landscape” and is aimed at business owners, managers and entrepreneurs who want practical guidance on growing their presence online.

Conference director Esther Ocampo, who took over the brand in 2025, said the event has grown it into a community of more than 200 in-person attendees.

With a packed lineup of local experts to be revealed Esther says the decision to bring the hugely popular event to Northern Ireland was driven by clear demand from the business community north of the border.

She explained: “We’ve spent four events building something in Dublin and Wexford that people genuinely value, and the appetite from Northern Ireland has been impossible to ignore. 

“Belfast is a city full of ambitious business owners who deserve access to the same quality of conversation and the same practical tools that our southern attendees have been benefiting from. Bringing Social Media Fest to Belfast felt like the natural next step.”

What organisers say sets this conference apart from others in the sector is its deliberate focus on speakers who understand the specific realities of hyperlocal markets, delivering advice that attendees can act on immediately to make a difference in their business.

“Not only do we want to showcase the expertise and talent available in the marketing field across Northern Ireland but we wanted speakers that could show people not only how to shoot for the moon and a global audience but speakers who knew the importance of hyperlocal campaigns and how these can translate into incredibly powerful strategies for standing out in a global market too.”

Rather than drawing in names from outside Ireland who present strategies built around budgets and technologies that most local businesses can’t access, Social Media Fest Belfast will feature speakers rooted in the Northern Ireland and Irish business landscape, offering guidance that translates directly to the challenges facing entrepreneurs here.

Esther added: “There’s a tendency at conferences to bring in people from major cities in England or the US who tell you what is working for brands with enormous budgets, and you sit there thinking, that is never going to apply to my business. That is not what Social Media Fest is about.

“Every speaker at this event understands the local market. They know what it takes to build a business here, to reach customers here, and to grow from here. The advice you will hear on the day is advice you can take out of the room and use immediately, whether that means connecting with the person beside you, posting something that afternoon, or finally tackling the platform you have been putting off for months.”

Alongside the conference there will also be a round table element of the day, designed to encourage connection and conversation as much as learning from the stage. Topics across the day will span the full social media landscape, including artificial intelligence, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, email marketing and community building, with each subject approached through the lens of what is achievable for small and medium-sized businesses today.

Sponsors and partners for the event include IPA Group, The Monday Morning Marketing Podcast, Entrepreneurs Unleashed, Ruthless Media, The Blackbelt Mastermind, FSB and HighLevel.

The overarching theme of “Connect, Create, Conquer” was chosen deliberately to reflect the journey organisers want attendees to go on across the day: starting with building genuine connections at a local level, developing content and communications that resonate, and ultimately building the kind of online presence that supports business growth at home and beyond.

“The conference follows a clear arc,” said Esther. 

“We want people to connect – with the person sitting next to them, with their local community, with the broader island. 

“We want them to create – content that actually works, emails that people open, videos that reflect who they really are. 

“And then we want them to conquer – starting with their own backyard and then thinking about how to expand beyond it. 

“It sounds simple, but most conferences never give you the time or the space to think through all three.”

“Previous editions of Social Media Fest have drawn more than 200 in-person attendees, with a further 65 joining virtually, and the event’s hashtag has trended consistently across social platforms. 

“Testimonials from past attendees point to the atmosphere as much as the content, with one describing the experience as “a day away from the office to surround yourself with like-minded, enthusiastic and empowering people in business.”

Tickets for Social Media Fest Belfast 2026 are on sale now with subsidised tickets available for students, those who are unemployed, economically inactive, disabled or on the Job Start programme as well as registered charities and social enterprises, with organisers encouraging anyone in those categories to get in touch directly for a reduced-price code.

Esther added: “We’re very aware that not everyone has the same budget, and we want Social Media Fest to be genuinely accessible. 

“If cost is a barrier, we want to hear from you. There are options, and we don’t want anyone to miss out if we can make something work.

“We also have group tickets and further opportunities for sponsoring elements of the day.”

Social Media Fest 2026 takes place at the Clayton Hotel, Belfast, on Wednesday April 29. Doors open at 8.30am for registration and the conference runs until 5pm. Tickets are available at https://bit.ly/SMFestPress 

For further information, visit socialmediafestglobal.com or email hello@socialmediafest.ie

Glentoran Insider Breaks Silence On 25 Years Of Turmoil In New Book

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A former Glentoran director has revealed how the club came close to financial collapse, operated week to week and missed opportunities worth millions in a new insider account covering more than two decades at the heart of the East Belfast side.

Nearly…Glentoran in the 21st Century, written by Ian Clarke, draws on his time as both a director and head of media at the club to document the reality behind one of the most challenging periods in its modern history. The book details how decisions taken in boardrooms, often under pressure and with limited resources, shaped the trajectory of a club still expected to compete at the top level.

In the book, published by Excalibur Press, he sets out a picture of a club dealing with sustained instability, where long-term planning was frequently overtaken by immediate financial concerns. At times, he describes an organisation forced into short-term thinking simply to remain operational.

The book outlines how these pressures affected every part of the club, from recruitment and contracts to infrastructure and long-term strategy. However, Clarke points out a prolonged period of underperformance can’t be attributed solely to results on the pitch, pointing instead to deeper structural and financial challenges.

He explained: “When a ‘big’ club like Glentoran is unsuccessful over such a prolonged period it is clearly down to more than the performance of managers and players.”

Among the most significant moments explored in Nearly is a missed stadium development opportunity that could have transformed the club’s financial position. Plans for a new ground in East Belfast, which would have secured long-term stability and modern facilities, ultimately failed to materialise, leaving the club to continue operating within existing constraints.

The book also reveals how close the club came to a different future, with proposals involving council-owned land and major redevelopment plans that had the potential to reshape both the club and its wider community presence. Instead, those plans fell away, contributing to ongoing financial and operational pressures.

Clarke also recounts a series of incidents that exposed the fragility of the club’s position, including administrative errors and governance challenges that had immediate consequences on and off the pitch.

In one instance, he describes how a mistake regarding player eligibility led to the club’s removal from a cup competition at a time when success appeared within reach.

“We walked off the pitch that day against Newry in joint first place with Linfield and in the semi-final of an Irish Cup, a potential double. Then immediately after the game a club official comes into the manager’s office and tells me ‘I think Joe Crowe might be ineligible.’ You can imagine the sick feeling that overcame me and the staff.”

The fallout from that incident is presented as one example of how quickly circumstances could change, with decisions and errors carrying significant sporting and financial consequences.

Elsewhere, Nearly details the wider financial context in which the club was operating, including debt levels, cash flow challenges and reliance on short-term funding solutions. Clarke describes a period in which maintaining day-to-day operations often required external support, loans and continuous negotiation.

It also captures the internal pressures faced by those running the club, with committee members dealing with mounting financial obligations while attempting to preserve the club’s long-term future.

Despite these challenges, Clarke highlights periods of resilience and achievement, including cup success and competitive performances achieved under difficult conditions. Moments framed as evidence of what the club was capable of, even while operating within significant constraints.

He added: “The simple fact was that the only thing that could turn around Glentoran’s fortunes was money. Quite a lot of money. An amount of money way beyond what anyone currently involved in the club could ever hope to muster. Someone else’s money.”

The 2019 takeover by Welsh-Iranian businessman Ali Pour brought investment, full-time football and European competition. But six years on, with the league title last won in 2009 still seemingly beyond the club’s reach, Clarke’s assessment of the Pour era in the book is measured rather than celebratory, with the book including a candid interview with Ali Pour and the other major figures behind the takeover . 

He added: “The simple fact was that the only thing that could turn around Glentoran’s fortunes was money. Quite a lot of money. An amount of money way beyond what anyone currently involved in the club could ever hope to muster. Someone else’s money.”

A consistent theme throughout the book is the role of supporters, whose loyalty is presented as central to the club’s survival during its most difficult periods. Clarke reflects on the level of public interest surrounding the club, noting its continued prominence within the local media landscape regardless of performance.

He said: “Glentoran, good or bad, command a level of interest matched only by Linfield. No other club comes close.”

The book also places Glentoran’s story within the wider context of East Belfast, highlighting the connection between the club and its community suggesting the club’s fortunes have long been intertwined with the area it represents, with both experiencing periods of change and challenge.

Nearly is a frank and honest detailed account of a period often viewed through headlines and speculation rather than direct experience. Drawing on internal discussions, first-hand involvement and access to the decision-making processes, Clarke provides an account of how close the club came to both success and crisis.

Readers will have the opportunity to hear from chairmen, directors, managers and players, among them Ali Pour, record appearance holder Colin Nixon and managers including Eddie Patterson and Mick McDermott, some of whom have never spoken about the club’s difficulties publicly before.

Meanwhile, Clarke, who spent his professional career in senior and board-level roles at major newspapers across Northern Ireland, England and Scotland, is clear about who the book is written for.

“Throughout the downs of the past 15 years the broad Glentoran support has shown a loyalty and commitment to its club that the club has not always deserved. This is their story and this book is for them,” he said.

 

Nearly: Glentoran in the 21st Century by Ian Clarke is published by Excalibur Press, priced at £20 and available now from ianclarkenearly.lovable.app 

Final Line-Up Of Exhibitors Announced As Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair Takes Place Tomorrow

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With the Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair taking place tomorrow in Belfast, Charity Jobs NI has announced the final line-up of exhibitors set to offer more than 500 paid and voluntary opportunities across Northern Ireland’s third sector.

Organised by Charity Jobs NI, the Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair will take place on Tuesday 24 March 2026 from 10am to 2pm at the Assembly Buildings Conference Centre, Belfast. Free to attend, the event brings together charities, community organisations and social enterprises with people interested in meaningful careers, volunteering opportunities and purpose-led work.

The final exhibitor line-up reflects the breadth of the sector, with organisations working across mental health, disability support, housing, youth services, family support, education, fundraising, heritage, faith-based work, community rescue and the environment.

Among the organisations attending are Inspire Wellbeing, Autism Initiatives, HarmonI, Triangle Housing Association Ltd, Cedar Foundation, Crossroads Care NI, Epilepsy Action and Nexus, giving visitors the chance to explore a wide range of health, disability support and social care opportunities on the day.

Sam Humphries, Chief Executive of HarmonI, said: “If you’re driven by your values and want to find a career in a sector which does so much more than provide employment, this is the place to start.”

The event will also feature organisations focused on children, young people and families, including Action for Children, Start360, MACS and Caring Breaks Limited. Together, they reflect the range of support being delivered across Northern Ireland, from early intervention and family services to youth homelessness and community-based care.

Joanna Malone, Digital Executive at MACS, said: “Whether you’re looking for a paid role, a volunteering opportunity, or simply want to find out more about the sector, it’s a fantastic space to explore what’s out there. At MACS, we’re always keen to meet people who care deeply about young people, who are kind, and who want to be part of something that genuinely changes lives.”

The fair will also bring together organisations involved in community development, learning, advocacy and sector support, including NIACRO, OCN NI, Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Northern Ireland. Their presence adds to a line-up that reflects the wide range of roles, organisations and causes across the third sector.

Chris Bunce, Co-founder of Charity Jobs NI, said: “Tomorrow’s fair is a chance for people to see just how varied and vibrant Northern Ireland’s third sector really is. With so many organisations coming together under one roof, attendees can explore opportunities they may not have considered before and speak directly to the people behind them.”

The final line-up also highlights the diversity of the event beyond traditional recruitment sectors, with exhibitors including Cruse Bereavement Support, Girls Brigade Northern Ireland, The Conservation Volunteers, Festival of Fools, Community Rescue Service, Think Design Engineer Foundation, Railway Preservation Society of Ireland/Whitehead Railway Museum and Living Water Adopt-A-Child UK/Ireland.

Also taking part is The Conservation Volunteers, which will be encouraging attendees to find out more about opportunities to get involved in environmental and community-based activity.

Ciara Diamond, Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement Officer at The Conservation Volunteers, said the fair is “a fun and engaging afternoon out, a chance to learn about opportunities on your doorstep.”

The fair is aimed at anyone interested in finding out more about careers and volunteering in the third sector, whether they are actively job-hunting, considering a career change, returning to work or simply exploring what opportunities may suit their skills and interests. 

People are encouraged to book a free ticket in advance, although attendees will also be welcome to drop in on the day.

To book a free ticket or find out more, visit charityjobsni.com/charity-careers-fair.

They Said I Would Never Walk, I Took To The Skies Instead

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Belfast Man Releases Biography After Making History

A man who was once told he would likely never walk has launched a memoir after becoming the first disabled pilot to land a plane solo at Belfast International Airport.

Matthew Monaghan, from Newtownabbey, has released The Weight of Progress, a deeply personal account of life with a rare neuromuscular condition, the barriers he faced growing up, the devastating consequences of a medical procedure that left him fighting for his independence all over again, and the extraordinary journey that eventually saw him take to the skies.

The book charts a life shaped by physical limitation but never defined by it. From childhood, Matthew, 36, found himself battling assumptions that disability also meant lack of intelligence. 

He writes about having to fight for the right to be educated fairly and for the chance to prove that his ambitions were not unrealistic, just inconvenient to systems that were not built with him in mind.

That experience becomes one of the strongest threads in the memoir. In the book he remembers one particular comment his mum made that has always stuck with him: “Matthew, you may not understand yet, but you are being discriminated against.”

It was an early lesson in how easily disabled people can be underestimated, sidelined or made to feel like a problem to be solved rather than a person to be supported. 

In his book, Matthew writes candidly about the more subtle humiliations of growing up visibly different, including one sports day moment that stayed with him for years. 

“I was very young when it happened, probably about six or seven. I remember winning the egg and spoon race and, for a child of that age, it should have been one of the happiest, most proud moments.

“Not for me, a teacher had glued the egg to my spoon. The memory of feeling so awfully bad that I had cheated will never leave me. I desperately wanted to play fairly, even if that meant losing the race.

“The victory wasn’t mine. It belonged to the glue.”

But The Weight of Progress doesn’t rest on one chapter of Matthew’s life. The memoir moves through adolescence, friendships, work, sexuality and independence, showing how prejudice often follows disabled people into every part of life, not just school or healthcare. 

The most dramatic section of the book centres on 2015, when Matthew’s life changed suddenly and brutally. Just as adulthood was beginning to feel stable, a routine Botox injection designed to improve his joint flexibility and mobility, which was expected to ultimately improve his balance and walking.

In the book Matthew explains how the treatment ironically did the complete opposite and triggered a devastating decline in his health. 

Within days, Matthew was clinging on to the life he once knew, he was struggling to walk, breathe and swallow. The collapse left him terrified and desperate for answers.

“This wasn’t burnout. This wasn’t just ‘fatigue’. Something had gone catastrophically wrong” he explained.

What followed was not only physical trauma but a prolonged fight to be believed. Matthew was faced with months of fear, hospital visits and dismissal, as well as the anger of his family as his condition worsened. 

In the book Matthew recounts one particularly confrontational moment when his mother tells a consultant: “He’s not coping. He can barely walk. He can’t breathe properly. You put this poison in him. What are you going to do about it?”

Eventually, a specialist confirmed what Matthew had known in his own body all along. “This isn’t the natural course of your condition,” he said. “This looks like a reaction.”

That validation mattered because The Weight of Progress is as much about the damage caused by disbelief as it is about physical suffering. For Matthew, talking about the psychological toll of losing the life he had built, the humiliation of dependence, and the slow erosion of confidence that comes when a person is repeatedly told their lived reality is not real was an important part of the story.

“I knew my own body, and I knew this wasn’t what I had spent the last 26 years living with, this was new.  

“It’s difficult when you are up against medical experts who are not only under pressure themselves, but sometimes consumed and restrained by textbooks, forgetting that sometimes there are exceptions.

“The disbelief in my symptoms and reaction was rigid because no one was willing to accept that what was meant to help had harmed.  It sounds grim but medicine can harm and everyone makes mistakes, the problem is, I paid the price.”

Despite this, Matthew’s book is not a story of surrender. He believes that out of that collapse came a new and unexpected direction. He went on to apply for a flying scholarship for disabled people, a decision that would alter the course of his life. Flying became more than a hobby or challenge. It became a route back to himself.

And, in the book he describes the moment the shift became real: “I was going to learn to fly.”

From there, readers can follow his progress through training, self-doubt and determination to a point that once seemed impossible. In one of the book’s most powerful reflections, he said: “Flying wasn’t just something I wanted to do anymore. It was who I was meant to be.”

That sense of purpose would carry Matthew to one of the defining milestones of his life. In 2025, after years of persistence, adaptation and training, he became the first disabled pilot to land a plane solo at Belfast International Airport. It was a landmark moment, not only for him personally, but for what it represented in terms of access, visibility and ambition.

“From being told I’d never walk, to walking unaided. From being told life would be small, to becoming a pilot”, said Matthew: “If this book has done anything, I hope it shows that progress is possible, not just for me, but for anyone staring down their own can’t.’”

Now a pilot, motivational speaker and growing social media commentator, Matthew is using his story to challenge the assumptions that still shape public attitudes to disability. 

The Weight of Progress isn’t written as a tidy tale of triumph. It’s a memoir about pain, frustration, identity, exclusion, reinvention and the hard reality that progress often comes at a cost. It’s also a reminder that people are capable of far more than the limits others place on them.

Matthew’s book offers readers a rare combination of emotional honesty and hard-won perspective. He hopes it will resonate not only with those living with disability or chronic illness, but with anyone who has had to rebuild after loss, fight to be believed, or find a new way forward when life veers violently off course.

The Weight of Progress, published by Excalibur Press, is available now on Amazon.

Less Than A Week To Go Until Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair Returns To Belfast

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With less than a week to go until the Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair takes place in Belfast, Charity Jobs NI is encouraging jobseekers, career changers and prospective volunteers to come along and explore the wide range of over 500 paid and volunteer opportunities that will be on offer across Northern Ireland’s third sector.

Organised by Charity Jobs NI, the Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair will take place on Tuesday 24 March 2026 from 10am to 2pm at the Assembly Buildings Conference Centre, Belfast. Free to attend, the event brings together charities, community organisations and social enterprises with people interested in meaningful careers, volunteering opportunities and purpose-led work.

Now in its third year since launching in 2024, the fair has become a key date in the third sector calendar, giving attendees the chance to explore opportunities in one place and speak directly with organisations about roles, career pathways and volunteering options. At the most recent fair, more than 270 employment opportunities and 335 volunteer roles were showcased, generating over 465 applications on the day and leading to hires and volunteer placements across Northern Ireland.

Among the organisations recently confirmed to take part are Inspire Wellbeing, MACS, Triangle Housing Association, Cedar Foundation, Crossroads Care NI, NIACRO, Cruse Bereavement Support, Autism Initiatives, Epilepsy Action, Community Rescue Service, OCN NI and Railway Preservation Society of Ireland and Whitehead Railway Museum.

Together with the organisations already announced, the line-up reflects the breadth of the sector, with exhibitors working across children and families, disability support, housing, mental health, community inclusion, youth services, rehabilitation, bereavement support, environmental action and heritage.

Richard Cherry, Co-founder of Charity Jobs NI, said: “There are a lot of people who want work that feels meaningful, or who are curious about what a career in the third sector could look like, but are not always sure where to begin. This fair is designed to make that easier by bringing a wide range of organisations together in one place and giving people the chance to have real conversations about the opportunities available.

“If you are job-hunting, thinking about a career change or interested in volunteering, we would encourage you to come along, explore what is on offer and see where it might lead.”

Among the organisations taking part this year is Action for Children Northern Ireland, which supports children and young people by providing practical and emotional care, ensuring their voices are heard and campaigning for lasting improvements to their lives. In Northern Ireland, its work includes family support, early intervention services, fostering and youth homelessness.

 

To anyone considering attending the fair, Lorna Ballard, National Director at Action for Children Northern Ireland, said: “Please come and chat to us and see what a wide range of roles we have that will make a difference to local children, young people and families.”

Also set to attend the event is Positive Futures.The organisation supports children and adults with a learning disability, acquired brain injury and autism through person-centred services and will be among those speaking to attendees on the day about opportunities in the sector.

Anne Magee, Operations Manager at Positive Futures, said: “Roles in the charity sector are hugely rewarding and the people who do them are proud of the difference they make but the roles can be the beginning of a great career path to senior jobs in the sector and related sectors, so if you are interested in developing your career further it provides great opportunities.

The fair is aimed at anyone interested in finding out more about careers and volunteering in the third sector, whether they are actively looking for a new role, considering a move into the sector, returning to work or simply exploring what opportunities may suit their skills and interests.

People are encouraged to book a free ticket in advance, although attendees will also be welcome to drop in on the day.

To book a free ticket or find out more about exhibiting, visit charityjobsni.com/charity-careers-fair.

 

More organisations join line-Up as Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair nears

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Jobseekers and volunteers across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to attend the Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair in Belfast later this month, as more organisations confirm they will be taking part.

The Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair, organised by Charity Jobs NI, will take place on Tuesday 24 March 2026 from 10am to 2pm at the Assembly Buildings Conference Centre, Belfast. Free to attend, the event brings together charities, community organisations and social enterprises with people interested in meaningful careers and volunteer opportunities across Northern Ireland’s third sector.

Among the organisations now confirmed to take part are Presbyterian Church in Ireland, HarmonI, Start360, The Conservation Volunteers, Caring Breaks and Living Water Adopt-A-Child UK & Ireland, with the growing exhibitor line-up giving attendees the chance to explore a broad range of organisations and opportunities under one roof.

Now in its third year since launching in 2024, the Fair has become a key date in the third sector calendar, giving attendees the chance to meet organisations face to face, learn more about the work they do and explore both paid and volunteer roles in a supportive setting. At the most recent Fair, more than 270 employment opportunities and 335 volunteer roles were showcased, generating over 465 applications on the day and leading to real hires and volunteer placements across Northern Ireland.

Chris Bunce, Co-founder of Charity Jobs NI, said: “With the event now just around the corner, what really stands out is the range of organisations that will be in the room on the day. For anyone thinking about a career in the third sector, or looking for a way to get involved through volunteering, that means more opportunities to ask questions, make connections and get a feel for where their skills and interests might fit.

“It is not just about turning up and picking up information. It is about having real conversations with organisations, hearing about the work they do and discovering opportunities they may not have considered before. That is what makes the Fair so valuable, and why we would encourage anyone with an interest in the sector to come along.”

Among those joining the event this year is first-time exhibitor Living Water Adopt-A-Child UK & Ireland, which supports children, vulnerable adults and families in Guatemala and Albania.

Esther Teggart, Area Coordinator at Living Water Adopt-A-Child UK/Ireland, said: “The Fair is an opportunity to raise awareness of the work happening in Guatemala and Albania for those in need, and to show how we can help even from a distance with a new group of people. 

“We hope it will encourage some to get involved in supporting us in whatever way feels right and doable for them, while also helping us make new connections with attendees and other charities that could lead to partnership and collaboration through shared resources, knowledge and other connections. We have not been to the Fair before, so we are looking forward to being part of the day.”

Also looking forward to be taking part on the day is returning exhibitor HarmonI, which provides compassionate support and care for people living with disability and those experiencing societal disadvantage. For the organisation, the Fair offers an opportunity to connect with values-driven people who are looking to use employment or volunteering to make a difference.

Sam Humphries, Chief Executive of HarmonI, said: “If you’re driven by your values and want to find a career in a sector which does so much more than provide employment, this is the place to start.”

There is still time for charities, community organisations and social enterprises interested in taking part to sign up as exhibitors. 

The event is open exclusively to organisations within the third sector and offers a valuable platform to meet motivated candidates, promote live opportunities and raise awareness of the work they do.

To book a free ticket or find out more about exhibiting, visit charityjobsni.com/charity-careers-fair.

AI Reshaping Startup Landscape as WeBuild Reopens for Women Founders Across Island

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Artificial intelligence is reshaping how tech startups are created, dramatically reducing build time and lowering traditional technical hurdles. 

As building a scalable digital product becomes faster, cheaper and less dependent on deep coding expertise and major funding, more women are seizing the opportunity to lead and build in tech.

In response, applications have reopened for the second cohort of WeBuild, the all-island programme delivered by TechFoundHer empowering women to innovate and to build tech-led solutions. The programme, which supports women founders across the island of Ireland, returns after strong demand for its inaugural intake in January.

Founded in Dublin in 2024 and launched in Belfast the same year, TechFoundHer provides training, community and cross-border networks for women building technology ventures. The first WeBuild cohort attracted more than 90 applications.

Now midway through the programme, participants are developing AI-enabled products aimed at international markets, moving from early concept to validated, revenue-focused ventures within months.

WeBuild is led by InterTradeIreland in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland as part of the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, funded by the Government of Ireland through the Shared Island Fund, with TechFoundHer as delivery partner.

The four month programme is designed for ambitious women founders developing innovation-led, tech-enabled businesses with global potential supporting those who are beyond the idea stage and already prototyping, testing or building products where technology is central.

WeBuild combines a 16-week core schedule delivered primarily online with in person labs across the island and an intensive two day Residential Build Lab. 

Founders focus on product development, AI integration, customer traction and funding, using GenAI and no code tools to accelerate validation and iteration. An Investor Readiness Clinic supports participants to refine their pitch and funding strategy and connect with investors across the island.

Women taking part in WeBuild are from across the island from Cork, Dublin and Galway to Belfast and L’Derry with ventures across digital health and medtech, education technology, creative and cultural tech, AI driven B2B platforms and social impact technologies. 

Entrepreneur Deirdre McCarthy, founder of FLIT.ie, is one of the entrepreneurs who took part in the programme.

She said all women in tech with a great idea should: “Please please do yourself a favour and apply for this. It’s a place of safety where you can access really good humans with strong tech brains. You will learn from the other participants, who may be further along in some ways, as well as from the formal education sessions. Extremely accessible and welcoming environment, unique in Ireland.”

According to some participants the programme has been instrumental in accelerating product development, highlighting the strength of the peer network and access to experienced technical mentors.

Gemma Kingston, founder of The Family Edit explained: “The programme has been invaluable in the development of my business and brought it to stages that I could only have dreamed of in such a short space of time. The access to experts is unmatched.”

Programme creator Máirín Murray said the pace of technological change across the ecosystem means founders can no longer afford to wait

“AI and no-code tools are lowering barriers, but access to the right frameworks and expertise remains uneven” she said, adding: “The strength of the first cohort demonstrated the depth of talent that exists across the island. The question is not whether women can build scalable technology ventures, but whether the ecosystem creates the right conditions for them to do so.

“The demand we’ve had for WeBuild reflects a generation of women founders ready to build serious tech companies. What they often lack is early access to technical support that strengthens credibility with investors and the wider ecosystem. 

“That is what WeBuild is designed to provide.”

To support prospective applicants in the application process the TechFoundHer team will be hosting an information session on Wednesday, March 11 at 4pm. The free session will be hosted by Máirín Murray and will provide a detailed overview of the programme, including the support, structure and outcomes founders can expect.

During the webinar, attendees will hear how WeBuild supports founders who want to harness the power of data and GenAI to bootstrap faster, automate smarter and build scalable tech ventures. The session will also include a step by step walkthrough of the application process and an opportunity for participants to ask questions and assess whether the programme is the right next step for their business.

WeBuild is open to women-led or women founded businesses based on the island of Ireland that are developing innovative products, services, systems or processes with clear commercial potential. Applicants must be at an early or growth stage and demonstrate market validation or proof of concept, along with ambition for significant growth including export and investment potential.

Applications for WeBuild are now open and will close on Monday, March 23 at 12pm. 

Women founders can find full programme information and submit applications at intertradeireland.com/entrepreneurship/womens-entrepreneurship/webuild 

Charity Careers Fair Aims To Strengthen Workforce As Sector Faces Financial Pressure

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With significant funding changes due to come into effect from April, Charity Jobs NI has said its upcoming Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair will focus on strengthening workforce resilience across Northern Ireland’s voluntary and community sector.

Sector leaders have warned that a proposed 64% reduction in key funding streams could see annual support fall from £25 million to £9.2 million, placing hundreds of jobs and vital frontline services at risk. As organisations prepare for the changes expected this spring, concerns remain about long-term workforce capacity and sustainability across the third sector.

The Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair, which takes place on Tuesday 24 March 2026 from 10am to 2pm at the Assembly Buildings Conference Centre in Belfast, will bring together charities, community organisations and social enterprises with people interested in purpose-led careers and volunteering opportunities.

Northern Ireland continues to record the highest rate of economic inactivity in the UK, with community-based programmes playing a key role in supporting people into employment, improving wellbeing and strengthening local economies. Against that backdrop, maintaining experienced staff and attracting new, values-led talent is increasingly seen as essential to protecting services.

Alongside concerns about organisational sustainability, there is also growing uncertainty for individuals working in the sector, with some roles already affected by funding reductions. For those facing redundancy or whose posts are at risk, the Fair will provide a practical opportunity to explore alternative roles within the voluntary and community sector and remain in purpose-led employment.

Co-founder of Charity Jobs NI, Chris Bunce, said the current climate has sharpened the focus on strategic workforce planning.

“There is no doubt the sector is operating in a challenging financial environment. As organisations prepare for funding reductions expected from April, many are carefully reviewing how they protect services while managing uncertainty.

“At times like this, safeguarding workforce capacity is crucial. The voluntary and community sector underpins health, employability and community stability across Northern Ireland, and once experienced staff are lost it can be difficult to rebuild that expertise.”

“We are also aware that many talented and committed people across the sector are currently facing uncertainty about their own roles. For those whose jobs may be at risk, the Fair offers a chance to explore what other organisations are recruiting and to remain within a sector they care deeply about. It is about keeping skills, experience and passion within the third sector, even during challenging times.”

He added that practical and cost-effective recruitment approaches are becoming increasingly important.

“When resources are under pressure, recruitment must be strategic and efficient. Bringing organisations and candidates together in one place helps reduce costs, improve reach and protect workforce pipelines. The Fair is about strengthening connections and ensuring the sector remains visible and resilient as it navigates change.”

At the most recent Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair, more than 270 employment opportunities and 335 volunteer roles were showcased, generating over 465 applications on the day and leading to real hires and volunteer placements across Northern Ireland.

Now firmly established as a key date in the third sector calendar, the event is open to people at all stages of their career journey and will feature organisations from across health, social care, housing, education, environment and community development.

Charities and not-for-profits interested in exhibiting are encouraged to secure their place early, with space for around 30 stands available and allocation managed on a first come, first served basis.

To find out more about how your organisation can exhibit, or to register to attend, visit charityjobsni.com/charity-careers-fair. 

Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair Aims To Support Third Sector Amid Recruitment Pressures

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Northern Ireland’s only dedicated Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair is back this spring, with third sector organisations invited to take part.

At a time when many charities and community organisations are navigating funding uncertainty and increased pressure around recruitment and workforce stability, the Fair provides a cost-effective platform to connect with values-led candidates and volunteers committed to supporting the sector.

With 50 percent of exhibitor tables already booked and the early bird rate closing on 20 February, organisations are encouraged to consider booking now to take advantage of the discounted rate.

Taking place on Tuesday, 24 March 2026 at the Assembly Buildings Conference Centre in Belfast, the Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair brings together third sector employers and people actively seeking meaningful paid and volunteer opportunities.

Organised by Charity Jobs NI, the Fair has quickly become a key date in the third sector calendar. Now entering its third year, it provides a focused platform for charities to promote live vacancies, attract volunteers, raise awareness of their work and connect face-to-face with motivated candidates.

At the most recent Fair, more than 270 paid roles and 335 volunteer opportunities were showcased, generating over 465 application requests on the day. Exhibitors reported high-quality conversations with candidates from a wide range of professional backgrounds, many of whom went on to secure roles or volunteer positions as a direct result of the event.

Co-founder of Charity Jobs NI, Chris Bunce, said the Fair offers more than just recruitment opportunities.

“While the primary focus is connecting charities with people who want to make a difference, the event has also become an important networking space for the sector. Organisations are able to build relationships with other charities, share ideas and strengthen their presence across Northern Ireland.

“At a time when many organisations are navigating funding uncertainty and increased pressure around recruitment, creating spaces where charities can meet passionate, values-led people is more important than ever. Each year we see the quality of conversations and connections grow, and that is what makes the Fair valuable for the organisations taking part.”

Returning exhibitors say the event provides a valuable platform for connection and visibility.

Joanna Malone, Digital Executive at MACS, Northern Ireland’s only youth-specific homelessness charity, said: “Exhibiting at the Charity Careers & Volunteer Fair is a brilliant opportunity to connect with people who genuinely want to make a difference. For MACS, it’s a chance to share who we are, what we stand for, and how our work helps young people across Northern Ireland who are at risk of homelessness. 

“We love being able to speak directly with people who share our values of compassion, empowerment and togetherness, and who might want to join us in helping young people build brighter futures. It’s also a brilliant way to showcase your culture and values beyond a job description.”

The Fair is free to attend for jobseekers and volunteers and will once again bring together organisations from across health, social care, housing, education, environment and community development.

Charities and not-for-profits interested in exhibiting can find out more online, with around 30 stands available and allocation managed on a first come, first served basis.

To find out more about how your organisation can exhibit, or to register to attend, visit charityjobsni.com/charity-careers-fair. 

Charity Careers and Volunteer Job Fair to Return to Belfast This Spring

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Northern Ireland’s only dedicated Charity Careers and Volunteer Job Fair is set to return to Belfast this spring, marking its third year since launching in 2024.

The Charity Careers and Volunteer Job Fair will take place on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, from 10am to 2pm at the Assembly Buildings Conference Centre, bringing charities, community organisations and social enterprises together with people interested in building a career or volunteering with purpose.

The Fair is organised by Charity Jobs NI, a sister company to Happy Jobs NI, and was created to provide a dedicated space for the charity and voluntary sector to connect directly with people who want to make a difference. Free to attend for jobseekers and volunteers, it is now firmly established as a key date in the third sector calendar and focuses on face-to-face conversations that help attendees explore opportunities and leave with clearer next steps.

At the most recent Fair, more than 270 employment opportunities and 335 volunteer roles were showcased, generating over 465 applications on the day and leading to real hires and volunteer placements across Northern Ireland.

Co-founder of Charity Jobs NI, Chris Bunce, said the event continues to reflect growing interest in purpose-led work across the region.

“Now in its third year and heading into our fourth event, the Charity Careers and Volunteer Job Fair has really established itself as a key moment in the calendar for Northern Ireland’s third sector. Each fair shows just how much appetite there is for purpose-led work, whether that is people taking their first step into the sector, changing careers, or finding meaningful ways to volunteer.

“What makes this event special is the face-to-face connection. It gives people the chance to explore real opportunities, ask honest questions and leave with a clearer sense of where they can make a difference.”

Open to people at all stages of their journey, the Fair offers the opportunity to meet a wide range of charities and sector organisations in person, learn more about the work they do and explore different ways of getting involved across the charity and voluntary sector.

Previous events have sparked hundreds of meaningful conversations, with past exhibitors including Positive Futures, NOW Group, NI Hospice, NSPCC, Inspire, Barnardos, Simon Community, Autism Initiatives and Cancer Focus NI, alongside new organisations joining each year.

Charities and not-for-profits interested in exhibiting are now invited to sign up, with early bird exhibitor rates available until 20 February.

Richard Cherry, Co-founder of Charity Jobs NI, said the Fair continues to deliver clear value for organisations taking part.

“We have seen first-hand how valuable this event is for charities and not-for-profits looking to reach the right people. Exhibitors consistently tell us the quality of conversations makes the day worthwhile, and many go on to recruit staff or volunteers directly as a result. With early bird exhibitor rates available until 20 February, this is a great opportunity for organisations to secure their place early and be part of an event that continues to grow in impact and reach each year.”

Bookings for exhibitors are now open, with space for around 30 stands available on the day. Allocation will be managed on a first come, first served basis.

To find out more about how your organisation can exhibit, or to register to attend, visit charityjobsni.com/charity-careers-fair. 

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