The Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) is gearing up for the return of its flagship NICVA SUMMIT, taking place on Wednesday 10th June at ICC Belfast.
Taking place as part of the SUMMIT, Cancer Focus NI and ARC Healthy Living Centre Ltd (ARCHLC) are set to collaborate for an engaging session titled ‘Transforming Health – working collaboratively to lead change’
Delegates will have the opportunity to explore how collaboration across the voluntary, community, and health sectors is transforming outcomes for people and communities across Northern Ireland.
Jenny Irvine, CEO at ARC Healthy Living Centre will showcase its community-led, place-based approach to tackling health inequalities. Grounded in partnership working and shaped by the communities it serves, ARC’s model demonstrates how integrated, locally driven solutions can empower people to take greater control of their health and wellbeing.
From Cancer Focus NI, Richard Spratt, CEO will share insights from the Northern Ireland Cancer Charities Coalition (NICCC), a partnership of 36 organisations working together to improve the lives of people affected by cancer. Reflecting on the Coalition’s journey, highlighting how building trust, shared purpose and a collective voice is helping to influence policy, amplify patient experience, and deliver more coordinated support.
The session will showcase the value of collective action, demonstrating how working together is already strengthening outcomes and creating new opportunities to deliver more equitable, high-quality cancer care and support.
Speaking ahead of the SUMMIT, Jenny Irvine CEO at ARCHLC said:
“Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do at ARC Healthy Living Centre. We know that the complex challenges facing our communities cannot be addressed by any one organisation working alone.
Health inequalities remain one of the greatest challenges facing our communities, particularly for those living in rural areas where access to services can be limited. At ARC Healthy Living Centre, we know these issues cannot be solved in isolation. It is only through genuine collaboration, by bringing together communities, the voluntary sector and health services that we can begin to address the root causes of inequality and deliver more equitable outcomes.
The NICVA SUMMIT provides an important platform for collaboration across the sector and working towards shared goals. We’re delighted to join Cancer Focus NI in our session to explore how we can work together to create lasting change in our communities.”
The SUMMIT, comes at a critical moment for the sector, as organisations face increasing financial and operational pressures, alongside rising demand for services in communities across Northern Ireland. It will provide a timely opportunity to share insight, highlight impact and explore collective responses to the challenges ahead.
At a time of significant challenge for the sector, the event promises to shine a spotlight on the charity and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland, celebrating its resilience and shaping key conversations for the future.
For the full SUMMIT programme and to book tickets, visit: www.nicvasummit.org.