Our Head of Engagement and Developments recent visit to Northern Ireland

As the Society’s presence and reputation continues to grow in Northern Ireland, Head of Engagement and Development Faye Blackwell, made a recent visit to Belfast.

She had the opportunity to meet with members of the NI Committee, Susan Craythorne and Committee Chair, Lynda Graham. Themes for discussion included ideas for the improvement of mental health service provision and how to increase opportunities for NCS registrants.

Faye was also inspired by meetings with Sara and colleagues from the #123GP campaign, and Desy, Gerard and their amazing team at West Belfast Forum, one of our Recognised Counselling Services.

Both projects, deeply rooted within the community, are working towards meeting unmet mental health needs. Sara and her team campaign and lobby to affect policy change, while also supporting social projects for the vulnerable and unrepresented in society.

Desy and all at the West Belfast Forum (WBF), having built their services from the ground up, work tirelessly in suicide prevention and with children and young people. NCS Neurodiversity Ambassador Claire Thompson is a member of the counselling team at WBF and so the visit gave Faye the long-awaited opportunity to meet Claire in person.

We’re grateful for such a warm welcome whenever we come to Northern Ireland and plan to visit again in the near future, to meet individual registrants, and more of our Organisational Members.

With thanks to our Head of Engagement and Development at NCS, Faye Blackwell, for providing this blog post.