Category: Uncategorized

The UK wide industry-standard, We’re Good to Go, which has supported businesses throughout the pandemic has been phased out following a successful campaign.

The standard which was introduced in July 2020 when organisations were struggling to adjust to new regulations allowed businesses to demonstrate the Covid-19 protocols they had put in place to keep both staff and visitors safe while the hospitality sector moved to reopening.

“It has been tough, we had to adjust and review our operating procedures and various range of risk assessments,” said Pim Dalm, the Managing Director of Clandeboye Lodge Hotel in Bangor County Down.

With the help of the ‘We’re Good To Go’ accreditation, Clandeboye Lodge Hotel was able to maintain a safe environment for its staff. 

“We felt it was very important to make sure that our staff felt confident that as business owners we had taken all reasonable steps to ensure that the environment in which they were either interacting with guests or interacting amongst each other was as safe as could possibly be.”

Looking back on the unpredictability the tourism sector was facing at the time, Dermot Friel, owner of Friel’s Bar and Restaurant explained the importance of safety for organised trips.

 “Tour operators wanted to know if their guests and visitors were going to be looked after in a safe environment. That was one of their first questions, were we ‘Good To Go’ accredited?” he recalled.

Fortunately, the success of the initiative allowed many local businesses to safely reopen their premises and welcome visitors and guests after a long period of uncertainty. 

For Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, the We’re Good To Go accreditation meant that Northern Ireland’s primary royal residence could start planning for the future.

“Being declared Good To Go was peace of mind that you were safe at work and that you can provide a safe experience for your visitors.

“The We’re Good To Go campaign was an incredibly important part of our discussions with international vendors about our 2022 calendar and for trying to build back up to our pre covid business levels,” said Christine Grant, Palace Host Team Leader of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.

Examining the consumer confidence, propensity to travel and consumer concerns at the time, Tourism NI’s Consumer Sentiment Analysis gave exceptional insight into the success of the We’re Good To Go initiative. 

Only a few months after launching the initiative, by March 2021, almost a quarter of NI consumers (23%) were aware of the ‘We’re Good to Go Mark’. For the vast majority (92%) who were aware of it, this mark gave them confidence that a business was safe to visit. The same research confirmed that when restrictions eased, two-thirds of NI consumers would be more inclined to visit a business that displayed the mark over one that didn’t.

Tourism NI’s CEO John McGrillen said: “The ‘We’re Good to Go’ scheme was vital for businesses as it reassured visitors that they had put the necessary arrangements in place to deal with Covid safely. That consumer confidence was a critical part of driving consumer demand.

“I am exceptionally proud of the industry for their collective effort and investment to ensure guests felt safe when visiting their experiences and attractions. This is testament to the resilience and strength of character of the wonderful people we have working within the sector across Northern Ireland. 

“This tenacity and giant spirit throughout the tourism sector contributes to the positive outlook as we move towards economic recovery following the pandemic.”

Throughout the campaign, all businesses operating within the visitor economy including accommodation providers, visitor attractions and more were encouraged to apply for the accreditation. In Northern Ireland, a total of 2,148 businesses took part and displayed the green logo on their premises and online. 

By the end of summer 2021, NI holidaymakers felt more confident to book further in advance than ROI visitors. This could partly be attributed to the success of the We’re Good To Go standards of which 50% of consumers were aware.

Since Covid restrictions in Northern Ireland were officially lifted in February 2022 and consumer nervousness around travelling lessened, VisitEngland, VisitScotland, Visit Wales and Tourism Northern Ireland have agreed that the initiative has achieved what it set out to and drew the scheme to a close. 

With nationwide restrictions behind us, Tourism NI acknowledges the support of the industry for taking the proactive step in helping visitors feel safe when travelling within, or to Northern Ireland. 

The organisation is looking forward to welcoming both domestic and international visitors and guests in the coming season and seeing the tourism and hospitality industry restored to pre-pandemic levels. 

Whilst the ‘We’re Good To Go’ scheme has closed we would like to encourage businesses to stay connected with Tourism NI for other supporting activities.

For more information on how Tourism NI can support your business visit: www.tourismni.com 

What better way to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee than through our royal passion for food. The Council is calling on all bakers in the Borough to dust down their aprons and enter the Ards and North Down Platinum Pudding Competition!

The British pudding comes in all shapes and sizes, so you can decide if it is steamed, baked, rolled or layered. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating though, as our judging panel shortlists the puddings considered most fit for a queen.

There are top prizes up for grabs, including a KitchenAid food mixer, food blender and electric hand mixer. The overall winner will receive an invitation to the Big Jubilee Lunch at this year’s festival.

Fancy your chances? Pudding entries need to be delivered to Bangor reception of SERC on Friday 27 May, by 11.30am. Judging will take place that day with winners notified the following week. Entries must be accompanied by a copy of the recipe and the entrant’s contact details. Ts and Cs apply.

Excitement builds as we plan to welcome celebrity chef Jean Christophe-Novelli MBE, from Novelli at City Quays, at Sea Bangor Celebrates the Platinum Jubilee on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June. Highlights will include top culinary tips from this multi-award-winning chef and answers to all your cookery questions. Jean-Christophe will bring charm and expertise to proceedings as our host for the Big Jubilee Lunch.

Our team of chefs from SERC will continue Jubilee celebrations by shining a gastronomic light on dishes from the seven decades of Her Majesty’s historic reign. Expect a trip down memory lane, with delights such as Coronation Chicken, Prawn Cocktail or maybe a Devilled Egg or two!

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Mark Brooks, said:

“We are thrilled that Jean-Christophe Novelli MBE will be our celebrity chef at Sea Bangor on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June. He is a multi-Michelin star and 5/5 AA Rosette winning chef, author, and restaurateur who is known around the world for his amazing cooking artistry. It will be a great opportunity to gather some cooking tips and tricks from the best in the business while also celebrating food from the past 70 years.”

Brian Magill, Hospitality and Catering Lecturer at SERC, said:

“We are delighted to be involved in Sea Bangor, which has become a key date in the calendar for hospitality and catering students who will be involved in demonstrations, street food and ambassador roles at the festival. We are excited to be involved in the judging for the Platinum Pudding Competition and recreating the winning pudding for festival-goers to savour. We are expecting the highest standard of entries which will make judging a challenge.”

Jean-Christophe Novelli MBE, from Novelli at City Quays, said:

“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Bangor and working with the fantastic Brian Magill and the team from SERC. I am very much looking forward to hosting the Big Jubilee Lunch and meeting all attending and involved. The Pudding competition is a great way for people to get involved and showcase their creativity and imagination.”

For more information, visit ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk.

There’s just over a week left to apply for this year’s Boardroom Apprentice programme online via the official Boardroom Apprentice website.

All applications are to be submitted by 3:00pm on Tuesday May 24.

Now in its fifth year, the Boardroom Apprentice is a UK first 12-month unique board learning, development and placement programme which enables those who would like to serve on a public or third sector board to learn and gain experience through in-depth training and support.

Founded by Eileen Mullan in 2017, the programme has helped 223 candidates from across Northern Ireland to begin their Boardroom journey thanks to its support from the Department of Finance.

Applications are open to those aged 16 or over from all backgrounds and abilities as the programme aims to enable a wider diversity of individuals to sit on boards and help move their board member role from aspiration to reality.

Eileen Mullan, Boardroom Apprentice founder, said: “I decided to create a programme that brings together three key elements – knowledge and understanding, experience and support. Over a twelve-month window Boardroom Apprentices will get practical board experience, a suite of learning days and support to fully equip them to serve on a board in the public or third sector.

“Being a Boardroom Apprentice is a gift. You get the programme as a gift with the expectation that you give it back. Being a Boardroom Apprentice is about preparing you for public service, which is about you playing your part.”

Throughout the 12 months, candidates are required to take part in regular learning days on topics such as finance, governance and complete a board placement on a board one of this year’s Host Boards, matched by both Eileen and a selection of former apprentices.

2020 Boardroom Apprentice Jo McGinley revealed her experience with the training days helped shape who she is today. 

“The training was top class. Each facilitator who led the training is as passionate about the ethos of Boardroom Apprentice as Eileen is.

“My time on the Boardroom Apprentice programme fundamentally changed me. I’ve transformed as a person” she said.

This year’s programme will run from 01st September 2022 – until 31st August 2023 in adherence to all relevant Covid-19 guidance.

“If being on a board giving your time and sharing your skills is something you aspire to do, but are not sure how to do then Boardroom Apprentice will enable you to do just that,” said Eileen.

For more information on Boardroom Apprentice go to https://boardroomapprentice.com.

Ahead of mental health awareness week next week, Northern Irish social enterprise Fresh Minds Education celebrated the launch of Connections: Operation Link Life, a training session that aims to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention for veterans and their loved ones.

Joined by a range of mental health facilitators from across the country, the afternoon marked the beginning of the bespoke edition of the already established Connections Link Life course which has helped hundreds of people across the five years increase their awareness of mental health and suicide prevention. 

As a result of the pandemic, there was a lack of suicide awareness and prevention training which inspired the team at Fresh Minds Education to take on the role and with the help of the Public Health Agency, they became the first company in the UK to bring facilitated suicide prevention training to 1500 people online.  

Speaking at the event, CEO of Fresh Minds Education, Practitioner and Director of Connections Link Life Aine Wallace, described the importance of the veteran course in understading the complex topics of emotional health and suicide awareness.

She said: “It was important for me to create something that made space for people to gain information, have an opportunity to have a conversation about the elephant in the room, hear their own voices, be represented, learn skills and be informed with the knowledge of who and what local supports there are in our ever-evolving landscape of service.

“During the pandemic, Fresh Minds Education used that period to innovate our training programme by recording the stories of those experienced by suicide and embedding these stories safely into our programmes. Through film, digital media and online platforms we have demonstrated how even in the most difficult of circumstances we can bring local voice and local experience safely into the room and continue to help people and save lives.

“Developing this course is an important step in the right direction and a valuable piece of the tapestry of interventions that collectively will make life a little better for those of us suffering, in pain and living with a loss of hope.”

Based on the connect 4-ways model, the course empowers participants to act should they ever become concerned about a loved one or colleague and also encourages them to reach out and ask for help themselves.

The afternoon was also attended by BFBS radio presenter Rachel Cochrane, the Connections Link Life 2022 Champion and online facilitator who bravely opened up about her personal journey with mental health: “During my time with the company I have worked at the sharp end broadcasting from Afghanistan for many months working alongside those who fought for our freedom.  I believe that we really do have a duty of care to our veterans and their families and I’m absolutely delighted that this course will be available to those who need it.

“Having spent 10 years on antidepressants, struggling with depression and PTSD, I know just how low things can go and how tough it can be for those who love you the most,” she said, adding: “Mental health is an epidemic which is why I’m so proud to champion this programme to make sure regardless of the month, everyday we protect our peace. Having those who recognise the signs and ask the questions others are too scared to ask will without a doubt save lives.”

Also speaking at the event was endurance runner, adventurer and mental health campaigner Sally Orange who spoke candidly about her firsthand experience with suicidal thoughts.

She said: “I rang up Samaritans to ask what was the best way to die. I returned to my parents house for six weeks where I didn’t shower, I didn’t eat. It was a horrific way to live.

“I gradually got better but unfortunately I lost my job as a reserve in the Army. I lost my self confidence and self belief but just two months later the Army Cadet Force asked if I would be their national ambassador, and that gave me a purpose.  I would not have believed two years ago that I could be standing here today.”

To mark the lives of those lost from suicide, Her Majesty’s Representative for Antrim Lord Lieutenant David McGorkell and Mayor of Antrim & Newtownabbey Billy Webb were joined by attendees including Sally Orange and Dolores Savage who helped lay a wreath at The Antrim Cenotaph and participated in two minutes of silence led by Robert McCartney from Beyond The Battlefield. 

Speaking after the remembrance ceremony, Her Majesty’s Representative for Antrim Lord Lieutenant David McGorkell said: “It’s so important that we do what we can to raise the awareness of the issues facing veterans and the support that is available to them.

“This course has been made specific to those in the veteran community by including veterans and families of veterans. It hopes to empower and inspire meaningful personal action that will help save lives, improve wellbeing, cultivate emotionally healthy practices and break the cycles of trauma. I’m sure it will bring great success to all those who wish to participate.”

Mayor of Antrim & Newtownabbey Billy Webb also took to the stage to congratulate the Fresh Minds Education team.

“There’s a lack of support so it’s good to see a programme like this and I look forward to hearing about the course that’s available” he said.

The event which was funded by Alderman Paul Michael, The Veteran Champion for Antrim and Newtownabbey and Antrim & Newtownabbey Council closed with live music from Antrim Children’s Choir who sang their version of Gary Barlow and the Military Wives powerful song, ‘Sing’.

The all-island charity, Inspire Wellbeing, have commissioned Fresh Minds Education to deliver this programme throughout Northern Ireland and are also supporting the delivery of the ‘train the trainers’ event which will take place next month.

For more information on Training as a Trainer of Connections: Operation Link Life course or hosting a course near you, go to freshmindseducation.com/connections or email hello@freshmindseducation.com

Funding for the launch was sourced from The Antrim Veteran Champion and provided by Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council.

If you are in need of support for emotional distress or suicide please reach out.  LifeLine is available 24hrs a day and is free from all phones on 0808 808 8000.

You can also visit Fresh Minds Education Website for additional help and support information go to freshmindseducation.com/connections-resources

– Ulster American Folk Park will host the iconic music festival for its 30^th anniversary on 28^th and 29^th May –

– World class line-up of performers will play across three stages –

Ulster American Folk Park has announced the return of the Bluegrass Omagh music festival after a two year break due to the pandemic. Now in its 30^th year, big crowds are expected to attend across the two-day event on 28^th and 29^th May to mark this significant milestone.

Multi-award winning acts from both sides of the Atlantic will take to three stages. From international acts including The Slocan Ramblers, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run, Vivian Leva & Riley Calcagno and Aaron Jonah Lewis, to our finest local artists such as No Oil Paintings, Joshua Burnside and Cup O’Joe.

Set against the vibrant and imaginative backdrop of the Ulster American Folk Park, visitors will be transported to Appalachian America – the root of bluegrass music – to enjoy strumming on the porches, dancing on the cobbled streets, and jamming outside the General Store as the sounds of banjos, guitars and fiddles fill the air.

John-Paul Coyle, Visitor Services Manager at the Ulster American Folk Park, said: “We are delighted to welcome people back to Bluegrass Omagh to help us celebrate its 30^th anniversary. This year, we decided to host the festival in May to allow for brighter evenings, and hopefully warmer weather.

“This event is one of the best and most authentic bluegrass experiences on offer, not only in Northern Ireland, but across the world with both home-grown talent and performers from across the Atlantic coming together to share their music.

“The museum setting adds to the experience as it helps bring to life what is widely considered the beginning of the bluegrass genre, when the people who emigrated to the heartland of Appalachian America, brought their music styles to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. Bluegrass is in the depths of our DNA at the Folk Park and the distinctive style of a lot of modern-day American country, bluegrass and folk music can be traced directly back to emigrants from Ulster. It is wonderful to keep this heritage alive and continue to share the rich cultural expressions of song and dance.”

To mark the 30^th anniversary, local musicians and songwriters Rachel McCarthy, Katie Richardson and Jackie Rainey have collaborated to perform songs from the bluegrass, folk and Americana artists who have inspired them over the years. This performance will include three part harmonies and covers from a range of artists from the bluegrass and folk music genres.

Speaking about this one-off collaboration, Carolyn Mathers, Director at Snow Water, the company behind the programming of the festival, added: “It has been an immense pleasure to programme the 30th Anniversary of Bluegrass Omagh, given the incredible reputation it has established over the years. We curated a line-up that will appeal both to bluegrass purists and to those new to this rich, vibrant and colourful scene. The special collaboration between Rachel McCarthy, Katie Richardson and Jackie Rainey will bring their incredible collective musical backgrounds together to express their love of bluegrass and country music, and will add to the spirit of the occasion.”

Bluegrass Omagh has previously been nominated for ‘Bluegrass Event of the Year’ by the International Bluegrass Music Association and over its 30-year legacy has become part of the fabric of Omagh that delivers for the local economy with international visitors enjoying the town’s hospitality offerings and other tourism hotspots in the region.

The two-day festival is sponsored by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Errol Thompson, said: “As an Omagh Town Councillor I am delighted that Bluegrass Omagh at the Ulster American Folk Park, is returning this year.  The Council is pleased to be able to provide sponsorship towards the Festival which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

“The Bluegrass Festival is a significant event for the District providing a much welcome boost to the local economy and in particular the tourism and hospitality sector.  The Council is committed to ensuring that the District is an attractive place to live, work, visit and invest in, and events such as this contribute to the achievement of this.”

Festival-goers can pay homage to the heritage and legacy of the Appalachian settlers through music, but they will also have the opportunity to enjoy wholesome food, musical workshops and artisan craftwork across the weekend.

Kathryn Thomson, Chief Executive of National Museums NI, said: “It’s wonderful to reflect and see just how significant an event Bluegrass Omagh has come to be and how it has enabled us to show that museums are more than buildings and collections, but an integral part of society and our wellbeing. We’re proud of the contribution that the festival makes to the local economy and community each year with visitors coming from across Northern Ireland, Great Britain and even further afield to enjoy the experience year on year.”

The festival will take place at the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh on Saturday 28^th and Sunday 29^th May, 2022, with performances starting each day at 1pm and running to late evening. For more information and for tickets, please visit https://www.bluegrassomagh.com/.

For Belfast’s Nikita Brijpaul a conversation with his line manager led here to the Boardroom Apprentice programme, and the challenges now see him hold three boardroom roles.

“The programme is designed to support those aspiring develop corporate responsibility by offering placements and training days so that applicants can increase their chances of sitting on boards across Northern Ireland.”

During a performance review with my then line manager I reflected upon the fact that I wanted to make a step change, challenge myself and understand strategy at a board level,” explained Nikita. “She immediately signposted me to the Boardroom Apprentice Programme.”

While the goings on in boardrooms remain shrouded behind closed doors the programme shattered misconceptions for Nikita.

“The programme demystified the boardroom experience and taught me to trust in my instinctive leadership abilities,” he said. “It has given me the confidence to believe that with time, an open mind and practise I have what it takes to be successful in the boardroom environment.”

The 46-year-old discovered that while he wanted to acquire strategic management skills it enabled him to reflect on his own life. 

“The Boardroom Apprentice programme application process caused me to delve much deeper into my own personal experiences,” he said. “Being raised in the vibrant community of Toronto and the Caribbean has taught me that diversity creates value.

“I soon realised that the key reason for me pursuing a board opportunity was that the trajectory of my life experiences had led me to a place where I am passionate about serving one’s community and bringing value in terms of diversity.”

As well as the training and one-to-one support of the Boardroom Apprentice programme there is a placement.

“I was fortunate to be selected as a Boardroom Apprentice and placed with the Board of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission,” Nikita explained. “It was a pivotal time for the organisation as it sought out its new duties under the EU Withdrawal Act 2020.

“I had the privilege of observing first hand key principles of public life upheld to the highest standards. 

“I have learnt the importance of expressing gratitude, the art of challenging and the importance of first principles. I sat through articulate discussions and witnessed courage and respectful dissent.”

That experience, as part of his development, led to further opportunities for Nikita.

“Since completing the programme I have gone on to take on three roles,” he said. “The first role I acquired soon after was the Boardroom Apprentice when I was appointed to the membership body of Mutual Energy. The second role I am currently in is as a member of the Governing Body for the Belfast Met with the third being a Director for Mediation NI.”

And that development was something Nikita had not expected.

“The most surprising thing about the programme was the realisation that this was just the start of the journey,” he explained. “It is uncommon for me to feel out of my depth; however the programme built my self-awareness. It made me realise that a real step change is needed to take a ‘helicopter view’ and that there is so much more to learn and integrate into practice.”

While recognising that wanting to serve on a board is not for everyone Nikita believes that it is rewarding, something coloured by his own family experience.

“If you are passionate about serving and unsure of your ability then this is a great place to start,” he explained “Passion is good to have but having a ‘why’ is of utmost importance.

“I think of my father who at the age of 12 was given his first pair of hand me down shoes to attend school with.

“He had to work tending rice paddies and cattle all year round. Education was a privilege and an opportunity to escape the life of a poor rural farmer in a third world country. I think about that every time I go into a board meeting at the Belfast Met.”

However, Nikita took on the challenge of the Boardroom Apprentice at a time that was personally very challenging.

“The application process was one of the most eloquent, honest and raw pieces of writing that I had ever attempted,” he said. “I applied for the programme during the onset of the pandemic.

“It was a particularly bad time for me as I was newly single and alienated from my children. Isolation was very real, especially as all of my family is in Canada. It’s safe to say that the Boardroom Apprentice programme gave me the opportunity to reflect upon my life and establish worthwhile goals to strive for. I’ve not looked back since.”

While boards are still perceived as male dominated, upper middle-class Nikita believes that Boardroom Apprentice is shattering that stereotype.

“It is exceptionally important in encouraging particularly women and ethnic minorities,” he said. “The programme acts as a springboard for those seeking to go on to serve on boards.

“It gives underrepresented groups the self-belief and self confidence that is integral. I think all boards wish to see more diversity however it’s exceedingly difficult to recruit, without the support and encouragement of the likes of Boardroom Apprentice.

“The programme has successfully demystified the goings on within the boardroom. I have concluded that I have what it takes to be in the boardroom.

“I will just need more time to learn via more exposure to the boardroom. After over 20 years of being steeped in operational roles within the corporate environment I do find it hard to grasp strategic concepts in practice. However, this is a known unknown I have identified, and will be moving forward in my journey towards leadership.”

Nikita urges anyone who wants to develop their skills and what they can contribute to take part in Boardroom Apprentice, as he feels that they will develop and begin, what for him is a positive stepping stone.

“The programme acts as a springboard,” he said. “It is just the beginning of a very long journey. I know I will feel intellectually uncomfortable for some time within the board environment. The public sector is very different from a boardroom view to what I’m used to. Once I understand the landscape I will be unstoppable.”

Learn more about Boardroom Apprentice and how to take part here: https://boardroomapprentice.com/

Applications are open until May 24th.

To get involved on social media use #GetOnBoard, and follow @BoardAppr on Twitter. You can also find Boardroom Apprentice on Linkedin, Instagram and Facebook.

The first ever ‘Swamp Festival’ in Belfast is expecting to attract hundreds of visitors to the Bog Meadows Nature Reserve in Belfast on Saturday 14 May.

This unique and free fusion festival of music, arts and crafts, storytelling, nature walks, cultural workshops and much more will celebrate the return of the African sedge warblers, willow warblers, house martins and swallows to Bog Meadows.

Belfast City Council and Ulster Wildlife have joined forces with leading cultural arts organisation ArtsEkta to put in place this special Swamp Festival for all the family as part of the £5.1million EU PEACE IV-funded Forth Meadow Community Greenway project, which aims to promote the greenway as a shared, welcoming, connected and safe space for all. 

With African music from Magwere, traditional Irish music and local folk band The Doone Brothers on stage throughout the afternoon, the day starts at 6am with a special Dawn Chorus and finishes with the Forth Meadow Greenway Duck Derby at 4pm. Tickets are free but must be pre-booked via ArtsEkta’s website, which contains the full programme of activities for the festival.

Rose Crozier, Director of City and Neighbourhood Services, Belfast City Council said: “We attracted a tremendous crowd for our first Greenway cultural event in March, with the Luminate Festival, so we’re hoping more and more families will join us on Saturday 14^th May for this amazing Swamp Festival to enjoy this wonderful new space being created in the heart of the city to bring people from all communities together.”

Nisha Tandon, Founder and CEO of ArtsEkta said: “We are delighted to present the first ever Swamp Festival on this island on behalf of Belfast City Council, following our inaugural Greenway Luminate Festival in March. We look forward to putting on more events throughout the Summer to bring the Forth Meadow Community Greenway to life this year.”

Deborah McLaughlin, Community Engagement Officer with Ulster Wildlife said: “Every year hundreds of feathered visitors flock to Bog Meadows from Africa to rear their young. This amazing green space, right in the heart of West Belfast, is a fantastic asset, not only for wildlife but for local people to enjoy and we look forward to showcasing it at the Swamp Festival.”

For full details of the Swamp Festival programme go to ArtsEkta’s website where tickets for this FREE festival must be booked in advance from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/forth-meadow-community-greenway-40614725793

The Greenway is being delivered through Belfast City Council’s PEACE IV, Local Authority Action Plan. This Action Plan has been funded through the EU’s PEACE IV Programme, which is managed by The Special EU Programmes Body. Match-funding has been provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.

“When I was serving fish and chips in my parents’ chip shop in Portrush I never thought someone one like me would get to serve on a board in the public and third sectors.”

Reflecting back on when she was just starting out on her first Board, Eileen Mullan admitted that she found the journey daunting and exciting in equal measures.

“I wasn’t sure what was expected of me, or in fact what contribution I could make. 

“Often when I reflect back, I realise there was no training, no support and certainly no opportunity to gain experience before I took the step as a fully signed up board member. I knew that was wrong and I couldn’t understand why that was happening,” she explained.

For many people, their perceptions surrounding the makeup of boardroom members are often one of a number of determining factors which leads them not to apply. From not feeling qualified to lacking self-belief, having no experience, and feeling unable to fit the ‘Boardroom mould’ are common misconceptions that are the genesis of all that Eileen has and still continuously works tirelessly to change.

“I hear many times about Boards struggling to get board members when recruiting, the frequent statement is that people just aren’t interested in serving. 

“I know that not to be the case, my experience has been that people do want to serve, but rule themselves out for many reasons: lack of experience, being too young and not knowing what is expected of them.”

Armed with the passion and motivation to create something practical that would enable people to take their board member role from aspiration to reality, Eileen started to share her idea with Board Chairs, CEOs, Senior Civil Servants and Politicians.

“I was just one woman with an idea and lots of motivation and passion but I knew I couldn’t do it on my own”

However, Eileen soon faced a number of obstacles that left her nearly giving it all up.

“There was no money, I had hoped a pilot could be funded, but that wasn’t going to happen as Stomont had just fallen.

“So, I brought together a small group of committed individuals who were supportive of the idea and wanted to help. We met in the Boardroom at the Belfast City Hospital. 

“I shared with them where I had got to in my many discussions and I offered the group three options: Firstly I stop now, and I’ll never mention this initiative again and I’ll just let it go.

“The second is that we can wait until Stormont is back up and running (this was in 2017) and see if they are prepared to fund it. 

“And thirdly, I asked them to give a little bit more, do this on goodwill and get a pilot up and running and test it. They all said yes to the last one.”

After that, Eileen had a pilot programme ready to recruit in May 2017, with the programme beginning in September. 

“There were 24 Host Boards signed up for the first programme and to my surprise over 200 applications. I couldn’t believe it. I sat at home with my printer that did 5 pages a minute to print out over 200 applications.

“The pilot was a huge success, so we delivered a second programme. In 2018, I had an opportunity to meet with Sue Gray, the then Permanent Secretary for the Department of Finance. 

“I shared the Boardroom Apprentice story with Sue and she was struck by its aims and wanted to help. Since 2019, the programme has been receiving support from the Department of Finance. 

“I never wanted Boardroom Apprentice to be something people had to pay to do. I know how it feels to not be able to afford to go on a training course. It just creates another barrier for people not to be able to take part in the way they want to.” 

Boardroom Apprentice is an eclectic collaboration between the public, third and private sectors providing a wealth of skills, experience and knowledge which makes this programme an incredibly unique initiative.

Now in its sixth year, the Boardroom Apprentice has helped 223 candidates across Northern Ireland to begin their Boardroom journey. 

This year’s programme offers a Boardroom Apprentice a choice of 58 host boards from across the Charity or Public Sector. They get the opportunity to be a part of a board to learn in a safe way.

Year on year, Eileen has had the pleasure of watching what was once a dream, have real tangible outcomes across Northern Ireland’s Boardroom landscape.

“We know the Boardroom Apprentice is working. The follow up tracker is showing that more than 50% of the first three cohorts are actively involved in Boards. We track them 12 months following completion, so we know what we set out to do is working.

“I’m also getting feedback from host boards who are also seeing the benefits for their whole teams and saying that our Boardroom Apprentices are opening up their eyes in terms of the things they need to be thinking about how they work to enable others to be at the table.”

“I never expected Boardroom Apprentice to be where it is today. I am very proud of the small group of committed individuals who help make Boardroom Apprentice what it is. When the Boardroom Apprentices go on to realise their aspiration and serve, I couldn’t be prouder – you know you are doing something right.

For those thinking of applying to this year’s programme, Eileen is keen for prospective applicants to ‘only apply if you want to do this for the right reasons’. Take your time with the application form, prepare the responses to the questions in advance and remember this is a highly competitive programme – your ‘why’ must stand out.

“It’s not about having a few learning days. It’s a significant commitment – same as you would have to give as a board member. The ideal applicant has to be passionate, motivated, looking at this from the position that you want to serve – not in 20 years but in the next 1 to 3 years. My expectation is that you will be on a board giving back and deploying your skills, knowledge and experience you have been gifted,” she explained.

“This is hard work. Being a board member is hard work. If you want to serve, then this programme will enable you to learn how to do just that, but you’ve got to put in the work.”

“Being a Boardroom Apprentice is a gift. You get the programme as a gift with the expectation that you give it back. Being a Boardroom Apprentice is about preparing you for public service, which is about you playing your part.”

For more information on Boardroom Apprentice visit https://boardroomapprentice.com 

Applications are open until May 24th. 

To get involved on social media use #GetOnBoard, and follow @BoardAppr on Twitter. You can also find Boardroom Apprentice on Linkedin, Instagram and Facebook.

Armagh Craft Fair returns for its tenth anniversary year to the wonderful surroundings of The Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre in Armagh on Saturday 28 May, with an exciting programme of creative activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy, making this year’s craft fair a date for your diary.

The venue will transform into a vibrant hub of high-quality craft, art and design activity for the day. Visitors can shop at thirty craft stalls from makers nationwide, experience traditional and contemporary craft demonstrations with some hands-on craft making opportunities. You will find printed and woven textiles, jewellery, wood, fine art, leather, glass, soaps, candles, ceramics and artisan foods.

Children will enjoy getting creative at the FREE drop-in art sessions throughout the day making this fun event a must for all families.

Live musical performances during the fair will keep you entertained as you shop for beautiful craft products, relax with a refreshing drink or simply enjoy the atmosphere.  We look forward to celebrating 10 years of this wonderful fair with all the talented makers and our visitors.

This year’s Craft Fair will run from 10.30am to 4.30pm at The Market Place Theatre. Entrance is free, as are all craft demonstrations. For further information, bookings and to download the full programme go to www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre You can also follow developments on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) for the latest information and video previews.

May is a month of music at Seamus Heaney HomePlace and next Sunday 15 May sees one of the most significant Irish Trad musicians – the amazing Martin Hayes – perform, and while in conversation with Liam O’Connor of the Irish Traditional Music Archive / Taisce Cheol Dúchais Éireann, share notes on his story of getting to the very heart of music.

Martin Hayes is regarded as one of the most significant talents to emerge in the world of Irish traditional music. His unique sound, his mastery of his chosen instrument – the fiddle – his acknowledgement of the past and his shaping of the future of the music, combine to create a formidable artistic intelligence.

He has drawn inspiration from many musical genres, but remains grounded in the music he grew up with in East County Clare, creating a unique and insightful interpretation of Irish music.

Martin has toured and recorded with all the great artists, has played with Sting and Paul Simon and performed for Barak Obama at the White House. He founded the seminal Irish American band, The Gloaming, with whom he tours internationally and with whom he shared the prestigious Meteor Prize in 2014 for their debut album. His autobiography ‘Shared Notes’ was published to great acclaim in 2021 and tells his own unique story of getting to the very heart of music.

In this unmissable event, Martin will chat with Liam O’Connor, director of the Irish Traditional Music Archive, about his life, career and autobiography, before performing some of his best-loved pieces.

Tickets are on sale now at www.seamusheaneyhomeplace.com