The Cedar Foundation

We're no longer posting on X 📣 But we'd love to stay in touch - find us over on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and LinkedIn to keep up to date with our news and services. Alternatively, give us a call on 02890 461834 or email communications@cedar-foundation.org

A reminder that there is still time to join us in walking in the Camino de Santiago next September and October, as we seek to raise funds for our vital Cedar services. If you're interested in this uniquely rewarding challenge or know someone who is, feel free to reach out to us directly and find out more! For full details, visit our website: cedar-foundation.org/news/walk-the-…

We have reached a significant milestone. It is the first anniversary of Cedar Focus! To celebrate, we've gathered the most powerful, uplifting, and inspiring highlights from the wonderful conversations we've had over the last 12 months. Thank you for your unwavering support and for being an integral part of our journey. Join us in this "Best Of" episode to look back on incredible stories of growth, confidence, and community that your support has made possible. In this episode, you'll hear: ● Gemma's fantastic story of a young person who found their path as a youth advocacy worker. ● Róisín and Natasha on the joy of seeing service users grow in confidence and independence. ● Johny on the core principle that guides our work: "Nothing about us without us." ● Claire's incredible "full circle" journey from accessing Cedar as a service user to becoming a staff member. ● Mark McShane and Stefan Hughes on the pride and purpose of joining the User Forum. ● Denise Murdock's powerful testimonial on how Cedar's support changed her life. We also look forward to what's next! Stick around to the end as Ciara gives a preview of our upcoming episode with Colin, the Deputy Manager of Floating Support, which will be released during Homelessness Week. Thank you for being part of our community. Please subscribe to keep in the loop! ________________________________________ CONNECT WITH US: ● Facebook: facebook.com/CedarFoundation ● X (formerly Twitter): x.com/cedarfoundation ● Instagram: instagram.com/cedar_ni/ ● LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cedar-… LEARN MORE: ● Website: cedar-foundation.org #CedarFocus #Anniversary #BestOf #CedarFoundation #DisabilityAdvocacy #CoProduction #UserVoice #GoodNews #NorthernIreland #Podcast #Inspiration [ID Image reads Welcome to Cedat Focus with a mic in back and a pink overlay.] youtu.be/Gi7H9AI4NoY

NICVA launched the Pivotal Report at an All-Party Group meeting at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. This meeting included representatives from the voluntary and community sector including our CEO Elaine Armstrong. To find out more about the event and download the report please visit: cedar-foundation.org/news/northern-… #NorthernIrelandCantWait #VoluntarySector #DisabilityServices #NorthernIreland #CharitySector

A powerful day of insights and collaboration at #NICON2025: The Minister of Health reminded us that reform isn’t optional - it’s essential. The Reset Plan strives to be local where possible, centralised when needed, driving bold, collective action. Prof Sir Michael Marmot shone a light on stark health inequalities and the need to break down barriers across health & social care. Inspiring discussions on People as Partners, the crucial role of the Community & Voluntary Sector, and Café Conversations showcasing real collaboration improving health & wellbeing. Key takeaway: collaboration and lived experience must shape the future of health reform. #HealthReform #HSC #Collaboration #CommunityCare #HealthInequalities #HealthReform #HSC

Breeda and Rhona receiving our finalist award for the Picker Experience Network Awards 2025 in the category Engaging and Championing the Public. We are extremely proud of the work of User Forum and for being a finalist in this category. Congratulations to the winners of this category #PEN25 #OpportunityChoiceInclusuon @PEN_News [alt text picture shows to ladies smiling holding a finalist poster and a finalist certificate in a black frame, in front of of a backdrop with the words Picker Experience Network]

Well done to our Staff Engagement and Improving Staff Experience category Runners Up #PEN25 #PatExp 👏👏@cedarfoundation

Super proud we are runners up in the category, Staff engagement and Improving Staff Experience, this demonstrates the commitment and care we assign to our staff, well done to the winner and all the finalists, who do great work. We have one more award this afternoon so keep a check to see how we do #OpportunityChoiceIncusion #PEN25 [alt text picture 1 shows 2 ladies standing in front of a picker experience Network Awards backdrop holding a runners up frame and poster. Picture 2 Shows Runner up certificate in a black Frame.]

We are excited to be finalists at the Picker Experience Network Awards 2025 in the categories of: Staff Engagement and Improving Staff Experience and Engaging and Championing the Public. #PEN25 #OpportunityChoiceInclusuon [alt text: picture one shows a screen with people sitting down with the words Picker Experience Network Awards 2025, 2nd picture shows 2 females standing in front of poster boards next picture shows a User Forum picture final picture shows a poster with leading Workplace wellbeing]

We’re so pleased to share that we are one of 20 organisations across NI receiving a grant from this year’s RTÉ Toy Show Appeal! Thanks to the generosity of The Late Late Toy Show viewers, The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland has been able to provide funding that will support us as we deliver opportunity, choice and inclusion to children living with disability, autism and brain injury across the region.💚💚 #RTEToyShowAppeal @RTELateLateShow @RTE [ID Decorative text reading: We are proudly supported by RTÉ Toy Show Appeal Community Foundation Ireland. RTÉ Toy Show Appeal has raised over 26 million for Irish Charities. 5 Million raised in 2024 alone for children's charities across every county on the island of Ireland.]

We are delighted to host allied professional students from the University of Pittsburgh today, it’s great to discuss our services with the students and to provide insights from our service users and volunteers. #OpportunityChoiceInclusion @University of Pittsburgh

We are in Sainsburys Armagh Stop and have a chat about how to support adults to feel safer in our community. #adultsafeguarding #weaad2025 @SouthernHSCT @cedarfoundation @amhNI @alzheimerssoc @abcpcsp @nmdpcsp @HCareIreland @LeonardCheshire @anns @armaghdiocese @WomensAidAD

TESCO Newry and Asda Portadown. Stop and have a chat about how to support adults to feel safer in our community. #adultsafeguarding #weaad2025 @SouthernHSCT @cedarfoundation @amhNI @alzheimerssoc@adrian_friel02 @abcpcsp @nmdpcsp @HCareIreland @LeonardCheshire @WomensAidAD

The Northern Ireland Acquired Brain Injury Forum (NIABIF) has officially launched during #ABIWeek at a special event in Parliament Buildings, Stormont. The Forum reflects the ongoing collaboration of key organisations in the sector, including @cbituk, @BrainInjMatters, @cedarfoundation, @HeadwayUK ensuring the continuity of experience and commitment to those affected by ABI. Health Minister, @mikenesbittni, endorsed this step forward in supporting Northern Ireland's ABI community: “The establishment of the Northern Ireland Acquired Brain Injury Forum is a welcome and necessary development, creating a dedicated forum to ensure that the voices of those affected are heard, their needs are addressed, and their rights championed.” The Forum is aligned with the @UKABIF and this ensures Northern Ireland's needs are represented, while also benefiting from nationwide policy developments and shared learning. Learn more about the event and NIABIF by following the link: bit.ly/4mkcfWF #ABIWeek25 #BrainInjuryAwareness #NIABIF

Speakers at the #NIABIF launch are detailing how the Forum will raise awareness, advocate, educate and influence change for those affected by Acquired Brain Injury in Northern Ireland. #ABIWeek @cbituk @cedarfoundation @UKABIF @BrainInjMatters @HeadwayUK

On #ABIWeek25 we are attending the launch of #NIABIF. Health Minister @mikenesbittni has opened the event by emphasising the positives of connected and collaborative working. The forum brings together @cedarfoundation, @HeadwayUK @BrainInjMatters @cbituk working together to improve ABI services.

We were delighted to attend the official launch of the PEACEPLUS Skills Connect Programme. This is a transformative initiative designed to support 2,000 people with disabilities across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland over the next four years. This initiative is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (@SEUPB) - European Funding. With over €7 million in funding secured, this programme will deliver bespoke training academies focused on digitalisation and emerging markets, creating inclusive pathways to higher level skills training and sustainable employment for those living in border regions. We are excited to be part of this partnership led by @NOW_Group and look forward to delivering diverse opportunities of employment for disabled people in our communities. Open Network NI, @UlsterUni and @DkIT_ie and supported by @Economy_NI @CArchibald_SF, @DeptofHed.