On the 4th June 2024, THRiVE and their Learning Partnership team from Stranmillis University College’s Centre for Research in Educational Underachievement (CREU) – Dr Karen Orr, Prof. Noel Purdy, Dr Millie Symington & Dr Mark Ballentine – hosted a two-day conference at Stranmillis University College, attended by thought leaders, practitioners, and policy makers from across sectors in NI.
The organisers were delighted to have been joined by and to hear from Junior Ministers Pam Cameron and Aisling Reilly, and Justice Minister Naomi Long.
They also welcomed input, via video, from Ministers Paul Givan (Education), Mike Nesbitt (Health), Gordon Lyons (Communities), and Caoimhe Archibald (Finance), who shared their support for the place-based collaboration model evidenced by THRiVE and the need for government and other sectors to work together.
Throughout the jam packed two days, the conference heard from a range of speakers who spoke to different aspects of relevance to the theme of ‘collaborating for impact’.
Speakers included Claire Humphrey, (THRiVE Co-ordinator); Dr Karen Orr (THRiVE Learning Partnership Principal Investigator); Prof. Noel Purdy OBE (CREU Director and THRiVE Learning Partnership team); Young people from Monsktown Boxing Club; Chris Quinn, the NI Children’s Commissioner; Prof. Allisson Metz (implementation science expert from University of North Carolina, USA); THRiVE parent champions (Mary Dripps and Lorna Allison); Jo Blundell from Place Matters; and Dorrinnia Carville, NI Comptroller General.
Additionally, Hugh Nelson (Co-Chair THRiVE) led an informative panel discussion with Collaborative Investors from THRiVE which included representatives from the Education Authority, The Executive Office, Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, and the Executive Programme on Criminality and Organised Crime.
The conference shone a spotlight on other place-based collaborations from across NI, where delegates got the opportunity to hear from other initiatives involved in the Co-ordinating Organisations Network.
And finally, a key highlight of the conference was an amazing performance from the Whitehouse Primary School choir who inspired and delighted delegates with several songs, one of which reminded us all that ‘When we work together, we get things done’
Over the course of the two days, delegates were invited to explore three key themes associated with place-based collaboration:
- PLACE: Throughout the conference, the idea that ‘Place Matters’ was central. It was proposed that place-based change in communities entrenched in complex and intergenerational inequality (social, educational, health etc.) is made possible by harnessing the collective impact of all agencies (statutory and non) and stakeholders (including children, young people, parents) via equitable collaborative infrastructures.
- PEOPLE: Building on the concept of PLACE, delegates were reminded that it is imperative that the PEOPLE within the place are central to the change processes. The conference pointed to the importance of bottom-up community driven and co-designed agendas, with the voice and influenceof young people (and community stakeholders more broadly) central. The conference unpacked HOW to achieve this, with a focus on the relational aspects of this work, the importance of considering power dynamics, trust, competition, and the necessity for challenging mindsets and ‘silo’ mentalities.
- PROCESS: Finally, within and around both PLACE and PEOPLE are the processes and wider systems that facilitate and inhibit impact and change. For example, strategies and policies (e.g., NI Children’s Services Co-operation Act 2015) and administrative/governance systems, finance systems and funding models that underpin statutory and non-statutory service provision. Additionally, within the processes, the conference pointed to the necessity for impact and implementation infrastructures, that is, the space, data and evidence to learn about HOW processes are implemented, as well as WHAT DIFFERENCE they have made.
Dr Karen Orr and Claire Humphrey closed the conference by aligning their Conference Calls to Action with these three core themes of PLACE (asking for visibility of place-based approaches in the Programme for Government), PEOPLE (encouraging equitable engagement of those who live and work in communities) and PROCESSES (calling for investment in the systems needed for place-based change – funding, impact and implementation).
The synergies, resonance, energy and passion in the room over the course of the two days were clear indicators of the willingness of agencies (statutory and non) to move beyond current systems and processes towards more collaborative, place-based and evidence informed practices, in order to achieve truly child-centred and holistic services that best meet the needs of our children and young people, particularly those most vulnerable and furthest from opportunity.
Speaking about the event, Dr Karen Orr said ‘The energy and enthusiasm evident during the ‘Collaborate for Impact’ conference has been a clear endorsement for the place-based collaborative efforts championed during this two day conference. CREU are proud to have brought their expertise to this conference and to the THRiVE Learning Partnership. We look forward to maintaining the energy and connections made as we work to improve the educational opportunities and outcomes for all children and young people’
One month on from the Conference and organisers, Dr Karen Orr (CREU) and Claire Humphrey (THRiVE) are considering next steps… stay tuned!
For further information and recourses related to the conference, please click here.
For further information regarding the THRiVE Learning Partnership, please contact Dr Karen Orr (K.Orr@Stran.ac.uk).
On Friday 5th April 2024 a group of sixteen Year 3 BEd students from Stranmillis and St Mary’s University Colleges, along with two lecturing staff, Stuart Dickinson and Thomas Rogan, travelled to India for ten days with the charity Saphara. Over the last year the students from both colleges have jointly raised over £20,000 for the charity which helps to support children and young people living in extreme poverty. Every £100 raised funds a child’s educational journey for one academic year which pays for essentials such as school fees, uniforms, books and stationery.
The students had the opportunity to visit two schools which the charity has supported for many years, SNEHA School in Dehradun and Kaplani High School in Mussoorie; the former positioned very close to slum dwellings in an inner city setting and the latter 7,000 feet above sea level at the foothills of the Himalayas. In both schools the students jointly planned and delivered lessons together over the course of a week and it was a truly life changing experience to witness how the power of education has the ability to nurture, protect and empower children, who otherwise would have a much bleaker future. The students focused on a variety of themes, exploring different aspects of cultural differences between Ireland and India through story, music and dance. The students also had the opportunity to lead a whole school assembly at SNEHA school which centred around collaboration and friendship, which would emerge as two very important components of the experience as a whole for all participants. University staff also had the opportunity to lead on two different training sessions for the school staff focusing on pastoral care and pedagogy.
In Mussoorie, there was an opportunity to trek to the village of Kaplani to witness the life changing impact that Saphara fundraising has made to the lives of children and families living in a very remote environment. This included building and repair of homes and outbuildings which provides stability and safety for this very marginalised community and it was an absolute privilege to be welcomed into their homes while experiencing the pride they have for their own surroundings. At the beginning of the journey, the students had the opportunity to purchase Indian clothes and visit several areas of cultural significance including the Gandhi Museum in Delhi which was a very moving experience and a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Before heading back home, the students travelled to Agra to experience the wondrous Taj Mahal which was truly awe inspiring and a moment in time that everyone will remember forever. Despite the heat, travelling and various different cultural challenges, this was a truly life changing experience for both staff and students, with the knowledge that working together for a common goal has made a huge difference to everyone concerned both here and in India.
On Wednesday 22nd May 2024 students from Tor Bank Special School attended a celebration event along with their family at Stranmillis University College. The sixth year students from Tor Bank Special School all took part in a DfE funded project called Step Up, one morning per week, from September 2023 until May 2024. Coordinated by Danielle Armstrong, the students have attended Stranmillis every Wednesday over the past 8 months and have gained confidence, knowledge and skills in various areas of the college campus. The aim of this project was to show the students that working is a possibility and we hope more businesses will create job opportunities for adults with special needs in the future.
Throughout this programme the students have been supported by Stranmillis University College staff and students along with Tor Bank Special School staff. The Principal and CEO of Stranmillis University College said ‘The experience has not only been beneficial to the students from Tor Bank but the involvement of our staff and students with this project has been most rewarding and beneficial also. The young men have made a positive impact on whoever they engaged with – always willing to learn, listen and laugh. A credit to their family and to the staff of Tor Bank Special School.’
A brand new resource for teaching mathematics outdoors has now been launched by academics from Stranmillis University College and Dublin City University.
Following a successful 
Greg guided the group slowly up the exit car route known locally as Cardiac Hill. A particular highlight occurred almost immediately as Greg pointed out the three Grey Heron nests. This site has been part of the annual 
Thanks to Mel and Greg for organising another outing to Stranmillis University College Campus, enabling attendees to explore this very special, unique space. Huge thanks go to Dot Blakely for so willingly giving up her time to share her knowledge and expertise, making the outing such an enjoyable and engaging morning for everyone. The full story, written by RSPB, can be viewed via the following link: 
The annual UCAS event held recently at 
