belfast

Rank Network visit to Northern Ireland: Backing local leaders, building stronger communities

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Trustee James Murdoch

Recently, Rank Foundation Trustee James Murdoch travelled to Belfast to visit five organisations that are part of our Network in Northern Ireland: The Turnaround Project, Belfast Giants, The Advantage Foundation, Sailortown Regeneration Association, and WOMEN’STEC – all of which are doing vital, locally led work to improve lives in the communities they cherish.

His visit was a chance to connect with local leaders, hear directly from those delivering and benefitting from projects on the ground, and see the Foundation’s impact in action across several programmes: Time to Shine, Start Here, Profit for Good, and Cost of Living Support.

Shared purpose and real impact

Reflecting on the visit, James shared two standout moments that had a lasting impression. “At both The Turnaround Project and WOMEN’STEC, we met participants who have received support through multiple Rank programmes,” he said. “In each case, the messages were similar. What struck me was their sense of purpose, hope, camaraderie and a determination to ‘go straight’. These organisations aren’t just offering training or jobs – they’re delivering holistic support that restores confidence, direction, and dignity.”

Strategic levers in action

To James, the visit truly brought Rank’s four strategic levers – Leadership, Enterprise, Faith and Community – vividly to life.

At WOMEN’STEC, James highlighted the journey of Helen Kerr, who progressed from a Time to Shine leader to her current role as Head of Business Development and former member of Rank’s Leaders Action Group (RLAG): “Her rise is mighty impressive and a real example of leadership in action.”

At The Advantage Foundation’s Ravine project, an employability programme supporting young people facing mental health challenges through work experience in horticulture, agriculture, and conservation, James was impressed by the enterprising spirit behind their growing social business: “They’ve already launched a nursery and farm shop, with plans to expand into a café and scaled-up production.”

Sailortown Regeneration Association stood out as a project grounded in faith and community heritage, supporting both residents of Sailortown and interested visitors. Their work is centred on restoring the historic St Joseph’s Church in the Belfast Docks as a community hub, forming part of a people-led regeneration of the area.

To James, every visit highlighted the power of community. Each of the five charities is rooted in and lifting up their communities in different ways: The Turnaround Project supports ex-offenders on their journey forward; Belfast Giants offer ice hockey lessons to children in deprived areas; Ravine serves the local community through its space and shop, while supporting young people’s mental health through jobs, skills, and training. Sailortown Regeneration is focused on restoring the church in Sailortown as a community hub for all. WOMEN’STEC provides non-traditional skills to socially disadvantaged women across Northern Ireland.

The power of local leaders and the Rank Network

James noted the presence of multiple Start Here roles and Time to Shine alumni across the organisations. “Rank is proud to back these roles, offer participants ongoing support through the Rank Network, and see their growth over time.”

Each charity faces unique challenges in helping people move forward from the past, particularly within the context of Northern Ireland’s complex history. But James saw clear signs of progress. “It’s so inspiring to see the positive change each charity brings to people’s lives and their communities. I left the meaningful visit energised and full of admiration for everyone I met.”

Resilience Fund: Making the Leap and Newington Day Centre

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On 3rd April 2020 The Rank Foundation launched the Resilience Fund in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Applications are open to all RankNet members, and the fund has been implemented to cover cashflow, fundraising and loss of income challenges relating to the current covid-19 related climate. This includes those facing significant, unplanned demand on services. Within hours of opening, applications were received and the Grants Manager and Foundation Executives began processing the applications, assessing management accounts and cash flow forecasts, knowing that access to this type of funding was a priority.

We will be looking at some of the Resilience Fund grantees each fortnight, with this week spotlighting Making the Leap and Newington Day Centre.

Making the Leap

Organisation Overview:

Making the Leap first came to Rank’s attention in 2016 and became a Major Grant recipient later that year.

Making the Leap’s mission is to transform the futures of young people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. They deliver training to raise young people’s aspirations and equip them with the skills, behaviours and confidence to succeed whilst increasing their access to opportunities. They deliver their programmes via a number of methods: from the classroom, to their own centre but also via employee engagement opportunities helping businesses to meet their Corporate Social Responsibility goals.

Difficulties due to Coronavirus:

The team have been unable to deliver sessions due to school closure and cutbacks on CSB budgets to protect businesses through the COVID19 period. Most schools will prioritise the curriculum for the remainder of the year due to the time lost, therefore additional services such as the opportunities offered by Making the Leap will drop further down the priority list. And in longer term plans, businesses will be likely to continue to cut CSR and HR budgets to recover.

Their annual fundraiser 2020 UK Social Mobility Awards will be very unlikely to happen due to new social distancing and capacity laws (or will at least be significantly scaled-back), which means minimal sponsorship or ticket sales profits.

What will the Resilience Fund grant be used for?

“As a result of Covid-19, young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their families are now facing additional challenges – loss of income, rising household costs, health problems, social isolation and housing issues. Therefore, it is vital we continue to support young people during this time to boost their professional skills, stay motivated and remain connected with others”

The Resilience Fund grant of £20,000 will cover 6 months of predicted operational costs and loss of fundraising, allowing Making the Leap to continue to support their service users, albeit virtually.

Newington Day Centre

Organisation Overview:

Similarly to Making the Leap, Newington Day Centre was first funded by Rank back in 2016 as one of our Major grantees. They were also the joint winners of the Rank Accelerator award in 2019, voted for at our Annual Conference.

Newington Day Centre provides a range of Day Care services to people who are older and their carers since 1978 . They provide 250 places each week with individuals attending 2/3 days each week. The services offered by NDC include assistance to maintain good personal care, therapeutic hand care, a hairdresser, daily meals, a range of community services, a chiropodist, a community hearing clinic and a range of community events to help members engage in community life. They also provide opportunities for students on work placements completing NVQs and also support many nursing and social work students.

Difficulties due to Coronavirus:

The centre is unable to provide any physical services and has had to close. However, Newington Day Centre has adapted to the closure and now offers a telephone support service to ensure the most at-risk are receiving adequate care. They are also delivering arts and crafts boxes for entertainment and to keep their members occupied.

What will the Resilience Fund grant be used for?

There will be a large reduction in donations as many of the community face challenging times ahead and the ability to hold fundraising events. Local community and business fundraising usually brings in around £130,000 per year. Therefore a Resilience grant of £25,000 has been accepted to help with the current shortfall.

If you are a member of RankNet and wish to apply for Resilience funding, please visit our Opportunities page on the online platform. If you have any RankNet related queries, please contact ranknet@rankfoundation.com.

Lydia goes to Detroit: Memorial Award 2018

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Who?

Lydia is one of two Memorial Award Winners, formally announced at the Enterprising Leadership Conference in 2018. Lydia originally came into contact with the Foundation back in 2016 as a Time to Shine Intern with Student Hubs, and then subsequently as a Time to Shine manager. The internship was based in Oxford, but Lydia originates from Northern Ireland.

What?

Lydia had identified similarities between Belfast and Detroit. Both Belfast and Detroit have suffered from their decline as industrial powerhouses, resulting in city-wide rioting, tensions between ethnic or religious groups, extreme economic challenges and an increase in derelict spaces.

Why?

Lydia was interested in exploring these similarities further by visiting Detroit’s social enterprises and community led initiatives with the view to bring her learning back to Belfast and implement it in her community.

“The whole time I was in Detroit was a huge listening exercise and I wanted to take in as much as possible from as many different people and places as possible. I was reminded about how important it is to keep listening when working on something, even if you are hearing the same message time and time again”

READ THE FULL REPORT HERE