Assembly Community Connect Annual Networking Event 2015

On Tuesday 2 June 2015, Assembly Community Connect (ACC) hosted its Annual Networking event in Parliament Buildings, the theme of which was ‘Staying motivated!’ 

We had a fantastic turnout at this event (approximately 70 people), and we’d like to thank everyone who took time out of their schedules to join us. 

For those of you who weren’t able to make it, here’s a quick rundown of how it went:

The group was welcomed by Mitchel McLaughlin MLA, Speaker of the NI Assembly. He handed over to the outgoing Chairperson of the ACC Advisory Group, Maeve McLaughlin MLA, who presided over a panel discussion, featuring representatives from three priority areas:  women, the BME community and persons with disabilities. A massive thank you to our panel for their insightful contributions: Kevin Doherty, CEO, Disability Action; Eileen Bell CBE, a former Speaker of the Assembly and Patricia Lewsley-Mooney CBE, former Children’s Commissioner of Northern Ireland, who are both now on the management committee of Training for Women Network; and Eileen Chan-Hu, Programme Manager and Co-Founder of CRAIC NI, an organisation working with the BME community here in Northern Ireland.

After the panel discussion, Sandra Overend MLA was introduced as the ACC Advisory Group Chairperson for 2015-2016.  We then heard from Dominic Peckham, Director of the Ulster Youth Choir, who was a very inspiring speaker and who got everybody motivated by leading them in a singing exercise!  (Kudos to Patricia Lewsley-Mooney who was brave enough to perform an impressive solo!)

We closed the event with a buffet and networking session, which we hope left everyone feeling motivated for the year ahead.  We look forward to working with you in the coming year!  

Follow @AssemblyCC and like our Facebook page.