Irish in Britain celebrated the achievements of our 2022/ 2023 New Leaders/Ceannairí Nua Programme graduates on 19 September with an afternoon reception and showcase event held at the Embassy of Ireland.
Our Ceannairí Nua programme is a tailored course providing essential skills, tools and information for those considering trustee and governance roles and have the passion and commitment to make a positive difference in the lives of Irish people in Britain. It is provided free in a series of seminars, both in person and online.
The graduates at the event were joined by colleagues, participants, and family members. Ambassador Martin Fraser opened the afternoon with warm words of welcome to all. He gave a special acknowledgement of the participants’ commitment to the course, and to strengthening the Irish community sector.
Lifelong skills
Irish in Britain’s CEO Brian Dalton spoke of the value of the programme’s development of lifelong skills in charity governance as our community evolves and needs change. He talked about why empowering people with the skills in effective voluntary sector stewardship is a priority in Irish in Britain’s community development offering.
Brian gave thanks to Diane West, an Irish in Britain delivery partner and programme leader, who has designed and delivered the course since its inception in 2021. Brian spoke of the importance of diversity and continued learning among trustees who sit on committees of the organisations that serve our communities.
We then heard from colleagues from the Irish Elderly Advice Network and icap, who kindly joined us to offer information about their organisations and the roles of their trustees. They gave participants an overview of their work and a real flavour of what it would look like to serve on their boards.
Diane, then said a few words about the course, its format and content. Diane gave thanks to the Irish in Britain team for their partnership in delivering it, and special thanks to participants for their engagement with the programme, continued openness to learning, and their commitment.
Each participant was presented with a certificate of completion by the Ambassador, followed by drinks, networking and lots of photo opportunities!
It was an afternoon filled with community spirit and something we were hugely proud to facilitate.
Many thanks to the Ambassador and the Embassy for hosting such a lovely event, our participants for being a part of it and helping shape the programme, and Diane West for all her leadership and partnership with Irish in Britain.
If you would like to find out more about the programme or express interest in the 2024 programme please email Aisling communitydevelopment@irishinbritain.org