Celebrating 20 years of Bolster Community’s support for everyday heroes

The event will take place on Thursday, March 27 at the Canal Court Hotel in Newry.

Academic, and award-winning author of ‘Poor’, Dr Katriona O’Sullivan, will be the keynote speaker, talking about her harrowing personal story- from homelessness to academic and advocate for equality in opportunity.

Jacinta Linden, CEO of Bolster Community said, “26.4% of children in Newry, Mourne and Down live in relative poverty, higher than the Northern Ireland average of 23.0%. The region also had the highest proportion of children under 16 in both relative, and absolute, low-income families in Northern Ireland.

“This conference is an opportunity to ask ourselves: how can we, individually and collectively, step in before crisis hits? Early intervention has proven time and again to be both cost-effective and life changing. With this event, we want to encourage real discussions and highlight practical support methods that work. It’s our 20th year, and there’s no better way to mark it than by pushing for more effective and proactive support across Northern Ireland.”

Attendees will also hear from influential speakers including senior Government representatives and Acting Chief Executive of the Southern Trust, Colm McCafferty; as well as frontline practitioner’s and professionals who will highlight current challenges, real-world impact, and how collective action can strengthen early intervention efforts.

The conference is open to teachers, healthcare professionals, family support workers, HR and wellbeing leads, safeguarding officers, volunteers in sports settings, and anyone working in frontline support and policy. It will serve as a platform for meaningful discussion, collaboration, and advocacy for early intervention strategies that work, while celebration 20 years of the everyday heroes who truly shine in the face of adversity. To book tickets log onto Eventbrite and search for Bolster Community.