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Supporting Communities
  • Home/
  • About/
    • Our Story
    • Our Staff
    • Our Board
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    • Strategic Plan
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    • Social Value Impact Assessment
    • Job Vacancies
  • News & Events/
    • Latest News
    • Latest Events
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  • Our Services/
    • Business Support
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    • Funding Bulletin
    • SCENE Magazine
    • Annual Reports
    • Digital Inclusion Resources
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  • Tenant Engagement/
    • What is Tenant Participation
    • Our Work with Housing Associations
    • Housing Policy Panel
    • TP Standards
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    • HCN Forums Members Login
    • What is the HCN?
    • Central Housing Forum
    • Disability Forum
    • Rural Residents Forum
  • All Ireland Tenant Engagement Conference/
    • About the Conference
    • Book Your Tickets
    • Conference Venue
    • Awards & Evening Event
    • Our Speakers
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    • Our Sponsors
    • Meet Our Exhibitors
    • Sponsorship and Exhibitor Opportunities
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housing extra blog.png
Supporting Communities

Empowering Society

SC Blog

Every so often, an issue needs a bit detail, thought, and analysis than we can fit into a tweet. The SC Blog delves deep into the important stuff!

Supporting Communities
  • Home/
  • About/
    • Our Story
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    • Our Board
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    • Strategic Plan
    • Customer Service Standards
    • Social Value Impact Assessment
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  • News & Events/
    • Latest News
    • Latest Events
    • Funding News
    • SC Blog
  • Our Services/
    • Business Support
    • Community Development
    • Digital Inclusion
    • Funding Support
    • Good Governance
    • Inter-Agency Support
    • Succession Planning
  • Training Courses/
    • Training Overview
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    • Digital Skills
    • Financial Management
    • Governance Training
    • Measurement & Evaluation
    • Social Enterprise
    • Tenant Participation
  • Publications/
    • E-zine
    • How To Series
    • Funding Bulletin
    • SCENE Magazine
    • Annual Reports
    • Digital Inclusion Resources
    • Tenant Engagement Stories
  • Tenant Engagement/
    • What is Tenant Participation
    • Our Work with Housing Associations
    • Housing Policy Panel
    • TP Standards
    • TP Accreditation Process
    • TPPN Members
  • Housing Community Network/
    • HCN Forums Members Login
    • What is the HCN?
    • Central Housing Forum
    • Disability Forum
    • Rural Residents Forum
  • All Ireland Tenant Engagement Conference/
    • About the Conference
    • Book Your Tickets
    • Conference Venue
    • Awards & Evening Event
    • Our Speakers
    • Programme
    • Our Sponsors
    • Meet Our Exhibitors
    • Sponsorship and Exhibitor Opportunities
  • Contact Us/
  • Sign InMy Account
September 01, 2025

An Emotional Homecoming: My Return to Shandon Park

September 01, 2025/ Healy King
An Emotional Homecoming: My Return to Shandon Park

Our CEO, Colm McDaid, is transported back in time as he visits the estate in Omagh where he spent his formative years. Read this very personal reflection on what community means to him, and enjoy some great family photos from the 70s!

Read More
September 01, 2025/ Healy King/ Comment
August 06, 2025

When Tenants Lead: A Journey of Discovery

August 06, 2025/ Healy King
When Tenants Lead: A Journey of Discovery

Just a few months into the job, our new Head of Corporate Services, Joanne Wilson, shares her first impressions of tenant leadership in advance of our upcoming All-Ireland Tenant Engagement Conference.

Read More
August 06, 2025/ Healy King/ Comment
Next Level TP
conference, tenants voices
July 08, 2025

More than Housing: How Tenant Engagement Changes Everything

July 08, 2025/ Healy King
More than Housing: How Tenant Engagement Changes Everything

Clodagh Cooke shares some of the things she’s learned about the intersection of community development and tenant engagement during her first year and a bit on the job as a CDO in Belfast. Find out why she says housing is the foundation that everything else builds on. 

Read More
July 08, 2025/ Healy King/ Comment
Guest blogger, Next Level TP
Tenant Participation, Housing Community Network
May 20, 2025

Beyond the Suggestion Box: The Evolution of Tenant Participation

May 20, 2025/ Healy King
Beyond the Suggestion Box: The Evolution of Tenant Participation

We all know that meaningful resident involvement isn't just a nice-to-have anymore—it's absolutely essential for creating thriving communities and delivering services that truly meet residents' needs. But what does effective engagement actually look like in 2025?

Read More
May 20, 2025/ Healy King/ Comment
Next Level TP
Tenant Participation
April 09, 2025

Is There a Real Seat at the Table for Tenants?

April 09, 2025/ Healy King
Is There a Real Seat at the Table for Tenants?

After years of working directly with both housing providers and residents across Ireland, I've seen the stark difference between tokenistic consultation and genuine participation. When done right, tenant engagement transforms communities, improves services, and creates housing that truly meets people's needs.

Read More
April 09, 2025/ Healy King/ Comment
Next Level TP
Tenant Participation
March 18, 2025

From Consultation to Co-production: The Spectrum of Tenant Involvement

March 18, 2025/ Healy King
From Consultation to Co-production: The Spectrum of Tenant Involvement

Aidan Kearney, Senior Training Officer, reviews the ladder of participation as we prepare for the All-Ireland Tenant Engagement Confererence.

Read More
March 18, 2025/ Healy King/ Comment
Next Level TP
Tenant Participation
November 11, 2024

Meet Alex Hamill, Business Development Placement Student

November 11, 2024/ Healy King
Meet Alex Hamill, Business Development Placement Student

Alex is a Business Economics student who has chosen to take an optional placement year out from his studies to work with Supporting Communities. We asked him to write a bit about his experience so far!

Read More
November 11, 2024/ Healy King/ Comment
August 01, 2024

My Journey as a Net Zero Officer: Driving Sustainability at Supporting Communities

August 01, 2024/ Healy King
My Journey as a Net Zero Officer: Driving Sustainability at Supporting Communities

Natalie Mayes, our Net Zero placement student, is getting ready to go back to university in the fall. Read her blog reflecting on her year working at Supporting Communities.

Read More
August 01, 2024/ Healy King/ Comment
Guest blogger
net zero
July 22, 2024

My Experience with Supporting Communities: A Three-Week Journey

July 22, 2024/ Healy King
My Experience with Supporting Communities: A Three-Week Journey

Sandra Quigg spent three weeks working alongside Community Development Officers at Supporting Communities. Read about her experience and what she takes away!

Read More
July 22, 2024/ Healy King/ Comment
Guest blogger
community development
July 18, 2023

Tenant empowerment is the way forward for social housing

July 18, 2023/ Healy King
Tenant empowerment is the way forward for social housing

Read Sheenagh’s argument for seizing this moment in the housing crisis to make real and lasting change for tenant empowerment.

Read More
July 18, 2023/ Healy King/ Comment
Next Level TP
March 29, 2023

An Interview with Sheenagh McNally about the Upcoming All-Ireland Tenant Engagement Conference

March 29, 2023/ Healy King
An Interview with Sheenagh McNally about the Upcoming All-Ireland Tenant Engagement  Conference

Learn more about the upcoming All Ireland Tenant Engagement Conference from its primary architect, Sheenagh McNally.

Read More
March 29, 2023/ Healy King/ Comment
Next Level TP
interview, Tenant Participation, conference
February 24, 2023

My Placement Experience with Supporting Communities

February 24, 2023/ SCNI Website
My Placement Experience with Supporting Communities

We were lucky to have a student occupational therapist join us for five weeks working with our Digital Inclusion Officer as part of her degree. We asked her to write a blog about her experience with us and the connection between digital skills and healthcare. Have a read!

Read More
February 24, 2023/ SCNI Website/ Comment
Guest blogger
digital inclusion, occupational therapy
January 18, 2023

5 Reasons Tenant Participation is Good Business

January 18, 2023/ Healy King
5 Reasons Tenant Participation is Good Business

Tenant participation is good for the bottom line. Find out how!

Read More
January 18, 2023/ Healy King/ Comment
Next Level TP
January 18, 2023

What’s in it for Us? The Benefits of Tenant Participation for the Tenants 

January 18, 2023/ Healy King
What’s in it for Us? The Benefits of Tenant Participation for the Tenants 

Tenant Participation benefits everyone! Here are the top reasons tenants say they want to take part.

Read More
January 18, 2023/ Healy King/ Comment
Next Level TP
April 13, 2022

Building Peer Support for Tenant Engagement Professionals in the Republic of Ireland

April 13, 2022/ Healy King
Building Peer Support for Tenant Engagement Professionals in the Republic of Ireland

Sarah Dunne Rogers came along to a training session on tenant engagement for her new job and ended up starting a whole network for peer support!

Read More
April 13, 2022/ Healy King/ Comment
Guest blogger, Next Level TP
November 16, 2021

Developing Tenant Engagement in Ireland

November 16, 2021/ Healy King
Developing Tenant Engagement in Ireland

Alex Dowdall reports on a series of tenant engagement workshops held earlier this year in response to a growing interest in the subject amongst housing professionals in the Republic of Ireland.

Read More
November 16, 2021/ Healy King/ Comment
Guest blogger, Next Level TP
Tenant Participation, Ireland
October 04, 2021

From Sceptic to Convert: My Tenant Engagement Journey

October 04, 2021/ Healy King
From Sceptic to Convert: My Tenant Engagement Journey

Colm Barnes, the Customer Service and Repairs Manager at Circle VHA, tells his tenant participation conversion story. Initially wary of the idea, he was won over in practice!

Read More
October 04, 2021/ Healy King/ Comment
Guest blogger
Tenant Participation
September 27, 2021

Circle's Commitment to a Tenant First Approach

September 27, 2021/ Healy King
Circle's Commitment to a Tenant First Approach

“In the last 12 months, the support and guidance we have received from Supporting Communities has been instrumental in changing how Circle Voluntary Housing Association does and will do its business in the future.” Read more from Circle’s CEO, John Hannigan about their tenant engagement journey.

Read More
September 27, 2021/ Healy King/ Comment
Guest blogger, Next Level TP
Circle VHA
August 17, 2021

The First Tenant-Led Engagement Strategy Rolls out at Circle VHA: An Interview with April Gregg

August 17, 2021/ Healy King
The First Tenant-Led Engagement Strategy Rolls out at Circle VHA: An Interview with April Gregg

Meet April Gregg, a tenant with Circle Voluntary Housing Association in Dublin. April has been working closely with Supporting Communities and Circle to create their first Tenant Engagement Strategy, written by the tenants themselves.

Read More
August 17, 2021/ Healy King/ Comment
May 19, 2021

Tenants on Boards

May 19, 2021/ Healy King
Tenants on Boards

Following on from their brilliant webinar presentation, Maureen Dowden & Bernadette Hewitt highlight the key takeaways in this guest blog post.

Read More
May 19, 2021/ Healy King/ Comment
Guest blogger, Next Level TP
  • Next
  • Home/
  • About/
    • Our Story
    • Our Staff
    • Our Board
    • Independent Tenant Organisation
    • Strategic Plan
    • Customer Service Standards
    • Social Value Impact Assessment
    • Job Vacancies
  • News & Events/
    • Latest News
    • Latest Events
    • Funding News
    • SC Blog
  • Our Services/
    • Business Support
    • Community Development
    • Digital Inclusion
    • Funding Support
    • Good Governance
    • Inter-Agency Support
    • Succession Planning
  • Training Courses/
    • Training Overview
    • Community Development
    • Digital Skills
    • Financial Management
    • Governance Training
    • Measurement & Evaluation
    • Social Enterprise
    • Tenant Participation
  • Publications/
    • E-zine
    • How To Series
    • Funding Bulletin
    • SCENE Magazine
    • Annual Reports
    • Digital Inclusion Resources
    • Tenant Engagement Stories
  • Tenant Engagement/
    • What is Tenant Participation
    • Our Work with Housing Associations
    • Housing Policy Panel
    • TP Standards
    • TP Accreditation Process
    • TPPN Members
  • Housing Community Network/
    • HCN Forums Members Login
    • What is the HCN?
    • Central Housing Forum
    • Disability Forum
    • Rural Residents Forum
  • All Ireland Tenant Engagement Conference/
    • About the Conference
    • Book Your Tickets
    • Conference Venue
    • Awards & Evening Event
    • Our Speakers
    • Programme
    • Our Sponsors
    • Meet Our Exhibitors
    • Sponsorship and Exhibitor Opportunities
  • Contact Us/
  • Sign InMy Account

Supporting Communities

Supporting Communities promotes best practice in Community Participation in Northern Ireland through a 'grassroots' approach to Community Development, providing tailored support, advice, information and training to new and existing Community Groups, Statutory and Voluntary Organisations

Latest News

Featured
Jul 9, 2025
New Awards for Tenant Engagement Launched!
Jul 9, 2025
Jul 9, 2025
Jun 13, 2025
Connecting Communities: Our Year Supporting the Digital Landline Switchover
Jun 13, 2025
Jun 13, 2025
May 14, 2025
Early Bird Ticket Sales Extended!
May 14, 2025
May 14, 2025
May 14, 2025
Free 'Digital Switchover' Information Sessions
May 14, 2025
May 14, 2025
Apr 10, 2025
All-Ireland Conference Tickets on Sale at Early Bird Rate
Apr 10, 2025
Apr 10, 2025

Events

Featured
Art Bites: Where is the funding?
Sep 9
Sep 9, 2025
Art Bites: Where is the funding?
Sep 9, 2025

Talk to the experts - learn to how to find funding suitable for your organisation at this free lunchtime session.

Sep 9, 2025
South Down Area - Online Funding Clinic
Sep 12
Sep 12, 2025
South Down Area - Online Funding Clinic
Sep 12, 2025

Book an online session with our Funding and Social Value Officer for some one-to-one funding support.

Sep 12, 2025
Ballyclare Digital Voice Information Drop-In Session
Sep 17
Sep 17, 2025
Ballyclare Digital Voice Information Drop-In Session
Sep 17, 2025

Ballyclare groups! Join us to learn more about the digital switchover and how it affects your area.

Sep 17, 2025
September Funding Clinic Sessions (Online)
Sep 18
Sep 18, 2025
September Funding Clinic Sessions (Online)
Sep 18, 2025

Book an online session with our Funding and Social Value Officer for some one-to-one funding support.

Sep 18, 2025
Governance Health Check Workshop: Principle 4
Sep 24
Sep 24, 2025
Governance Health Check Workshop: Principle 4
Sep 24, 2025

The fourth in a series of five online workshops from the eveloping Governance Group to explain how the Code of Good Governance Health Check can be used as a mechanism to review governance practice. 

Sep 24, 2025
The All-Ireland Tenant Engagement Conference 2025
Oct 6
Oct 6, 2025 – Oct 7, 2025
The All-Ireland Tenant Engagement Conference 2025
Oct 6, 2025 – Oct 7, 2025

Join us for a two day event delving into all things tenant participation!

Oct 6, 2025 – Oct 7, 2025
October Funding Clinic Sessions (Online)
Oct 9
Oct 9, 2025
October Funding Clinic Sessions (Online)
Oct 9, 2025

Book an online session with our Funding and Social Value Officer for some one-to-one funding support.

Oct 9, 2025
November Funding Clinic Sessions (Online)
Nov 6
Nov 6, 2025
November Funding Clinic Sessions (Online)
Nov 6, 2025

Book an online session with our Funding and Social Value Officer for some one-to-one funding support.

Nov 6, 2025
December Funding Clinic Sessions (Online)
Dec 4
Dec 4, 2025
December Funding Clinic Sessions (Online)
Dec 4, 2025

Book an online session with our Funding and Social Value Officer for some one-to-one funding support.

Dec 4, 2025
New Events Coming Soon
Dec 17
Dec 17, 2025
New Events Coming Soon
Dec 17, 2025

We’re working on new events. Check back soon to see what’s coming up!

Dec 17, 2025
 
 

Company registration number: NI 026765
HMRC Charity registration number: XR27102
Northern Ireland Charity Commission Number: NIC100005

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