Regional Advisory Group

Regional Advisory Group (RAG)

The Education Authority Youth Service would like to introduce the new members of the Regional Advisory Group (RAG) as of 30 September 2021.

The Regional Advisory Group is formally reviewed on a three yearly basis which ensures that the group continues to be relevant and reflective, in a proportionate and balanced way, of the key interests of youth work stakeholders and the Regional Assessment of Need.

Members contribute on the basis of their experience, knowledge and skills and reflect the broad and varied Education Authority Funded youth sector groups, Department of Education and other relevant government departments, Education Authority and Youth Council Northern Ireland.

A warm welcome to all new members and we look forward to working together to ensure the best outcomes for our children and young people.

Name Delivery Theme Area Organisation
Government Departments

Gordon McCalmont

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Regionwide

Patricia McLaughlin

Department for Communities

Regionwide

Mandy Jones

The Executive Office

Regionwide

Adele Brown

Department of Justice

Regionwide

Youth Organisations Regionwide
Lisa Keys

Uniformed Sector, Rural and Urban Young People

Regionwide

Boys' Brigade

Drew Launchbury

Uniformed Sector, Rural and Urban Young People

Regionwide

Scout Foundation

Simon Henry

Faith Based Sector, Rural and Urban Young People

Regionwide

Church of Ireland Youth Department

Policy Alignment
Sylvia Gordon

SHARED Education and CRED

Regionwide

Corrymeela
Orliath Mhic Leannáin

Irish Medium, Rural and Urban Young People

Regionwide

Fóram na nÓg

Mikhaila Woods

Section 75 Disability

Regionwide

Mencap

Lee Cullen

Section 75 LGBTQ+

Regionwide

Cara-Friend

Gavin Melly

Section 75 Autism Spectrum Disorder

Regionwide

BUD Club

Rosemary Magee
Rural and Generic Youth Provision
Newry, Mourne & Down
Mayobridge Youth and Community Centre
Key Priorities based on RAoN
John Lynch
Children Looked After and Bespoke Interventions
Derry & Strabane
Youth Work Alliance
Alexey Janes
Environment & Sustainability and Rural
Regionwide
Ulster Wildlife
Matthew Taylor
Mental Health and Wellbeing, Youth Led Organisation
Regionwide
Pure Mental
Generic Youth Provision
Paul Brown
Generic Youth Provision and Faith Based Sector
East Belfast
Knock Presbyterian Church
Observer
Mary Cunningham (or rep)
North / South
Island-wide
National Youth Council of Ireland
In attendance
Department of Education, Education Training Inspectorate and Education Authority Officers as appropriate

All organisations are encouraged and welcome to bring young people as part of their engagement with the Regional Advisory Group