Northern Ireland Week: The People Behind Our Work

From helping to guide our work to ensuring families’ experiences are heard by decision-makers, our trustees and colleagues play an important role in helping us create lasting change.

We spoke to Joanne McDowell, Trustee for Northern Ireland, and Ruth Kane, Policy and Public Affairs Manager for Northern Ireland, about what their roles mean to them and why supporting families across Northern Ireland matters.

Joanne McDowell, Trustee for Northern Ireland

For Joanne, being a Family Fund Trustee is an opportunity to use her skills and experience to strengthen our work while remaining closely connected to the difference that support can make to families’ lives.

This is a role that challenges and inspires me, and one that constantly reminds me why Family Fund’s work is so important – making a real, tangible difference for disabled and seriously ill children and young people, their families, siblings and carers.

As Trustee for Northern Ireland, Joanne helps guide Family Fund in ensuring the needs and experiences of families in Northern Ireland are represented.

It also allows me to contribute by offering my skills, insight and experience to make a genuine contribution. I hope to help strengthen the work of Family Fund and the support it provides to people here in Northern Ireland.

Ruth Kane, Policy and Public Affairs Manager for Northern Ireland

Listening to families and ensuring their experiences are reflected in policy is at the heart of Ruth’s role.

Through her work, Ruth meets families raising disabled children and young people, as well as the organisations and professionals supporting them.

Through my work at Family Fund, I am honoured to meet those caring for and working with disabled children and young people in Northern Ireland. I am strengthened by their determination and resilience, which supports my role in championing real policy change.

Ruth also sees first-hand the strength of communities across Northern Ireland, but recognises that families need wider support too.

“Northern Ireland is a place full of wonderful people who go above and beyond to support their friends and family when needed. But Family Fund’s grants programme gives families raising disabled children vital financial breathing room and opportunities to spend important, beneficial quality time together.”

Keeping families’ voices at the heart of our work

Families raising disabled or seriously ill children know better than anyone the challenges they face and the support that can make a difference.

By listening to those experiences, working with partners and decision-makers, and providing practical support through our grants and services, we can help ensure families’ voices are heard and their needs recognised.