Real change is imminent when the power of community is realised
At the annual Elevate celebration event, the Community Development and Health Network (CDHN) proudly commended the achievements of the 2025–26 Elevate Programme participants, marking seven years of collaboration with the Public Health Agency and community partners; ARC Healthy Living Centre, MEAPP, Supporting Communities NI and Women’s Tec.
The event brought together 21 community and voluntary organisations, Elevate mentees, mentors, and cross-sectoral partners to recognise the meaningful impact of the Community Mentoring & Grants Programme in tackling health inequalities.
Opening the event Colin Coffey, Chair of the Public Health Agency (PHA) Board, said: “Tackling health inequalities is complex and requires strong leadership, partnership and a shared sense of purpose.
“It means working together across sectors and recognising the wider factors that shape people’s lives and wellbeing.
“That is why programmes such as Elevate Community Mentoring and Grants are so important, helping to turn joined-up thinking into action and real support for communities.
“I want to recognise the vital role of community leaders who understand local challenges firsthand and have trust to bring people together and create solutions.
“PHA’s continued support reflects a strong and longstanding partnership with CDHN reaffirming the importance of partnership working in addressing health inequalities and supporting community-led change.”
The event showcased the work of several Elevate groups, including Diverse Youth NI, Dunloy Stronger Together, Yes Laad and HERe NI.
Representatives of these groups shared moving stories and examples of how the Elevate programme supported their growth and ability to build lasting changes.
Speaking at the end of the event, Stephanie Houston Project Manager highlighted the programme’s ongoing impact: “Elevate continues to inspire our team.
“At its heart, it is about connection—bringing people together to share knowledge, build partnerships, and create real change within communities. The results of projects presented here today highlight how small grants can deliver meaningful, lasting impact at a local level.”
As Elevate continues to grow, CDHN remains committed to empowering communities, strengthening collaboration, and creating opportunities for lasting improvements in health and wellbeing across Northern Ireland.
If you would like to become an Elevate Mentee in 2026-2027, the programme is open now for applications. We are hosting a series of information sessions online. These sessions are crucial for new groups interested in applying to the Elevate Mentoring & Grants Programme. They will provide detailed information about the application process and answer any questions you may have.
- Thursday 30th April at 11:00am
- Tuesday 5th May at 2:00pm
- Wednesday 13th May at 1:00pm
- Thursday 14th May at 7:00pm
To find out more and register for an information session click here
We are also holding a full day free training course on Community Development & Health Inequalities on 19th May 2026, from 10:00am – 3:00pm, online. Click here to register for this training
