We're delighted to welcome two new members to our Northern Ireland committee.
Stephen Bloomer and Gerard Deane have joined JRCT as cooptees, advising on the grant-making of our Northern Ireland programme.
The programme funds those whose work to promote peace, human rights and participatory politics contributes to the ongoing transformation of the Northern Ireland conflict
Stephen (pictured below) has over 30 years’ experience conducting research and evaluation as an independent consultant and researcher in the academic, public and NGO sectors in Northern Ireland. His research has encompassed a range of thematic areas including peacebuilding and conflict transformation, victims and survivors, migration, racism and employment rights, sports and political culture. He was a founding member of the East Antrim Conflict Transformation Forum, the first transformation initiative to directly work with the UVF leadership and local communities. Currently he works as a teaching associate with Ulster University.
Gerard (pictured below) has worked in the community and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland for almost 30 years. As the director of Holywell Trust, he leads a community relations and development organisation that strives to create positive and lasting change in the North West of Northern Ireland. He is passionate about empowering people to help themselves and their communities.
Gerard has led up several organisations within the sector and held a number of board positions. He currently sits on the board of Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.