Fond Farewell: NIHE Community Placement
Sandra - Stood outside Focus on Family’s building in Ballysally.
Sandra’s Community Placement with Focus on Family
We had the pleasure of getting to know Sandra during her five-week community placement with our organisation. Sandra hit the ground running from day one providing exceptional support to both staff and volunteers.
Sandra is a warm, genuine and approachable person who comes with a rich repository of knowledge, insight and experience. While we’re truly saddened to see her placement come to an end, we are delighted to know that she won't be a stranger...
We caught up with Sandra through the week, and got a chance to ask her a few questions about her time with our organisation. You can listen to this in the video below -
Sandra has actually written her own experience narrative, and we’re delighted to be in a position to share this with you.
Written by Sandra Quigg
Getting Stuck In - My Placement Experience with Focus on Family, Ballysally.
Over the past five weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to complete a placement with Focus on Family Ballysally, and I can honestly say it’s been one of the most eye-opening and rewarding experiences of my working life to date. I’ve always had a passion for helping people, but this placement brought that into sharper focus and showed me just how powerful grassroots community work can be when it’s done with heart, commitment, and collaboration.
When I first arrived at Focus on Family, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d heard about the work they do, how they support families, deliver services for children, young people, and older people, and create safe spaces for learning and connection, but seeing it all unfold in real life was something else. What struck me straight away was how warm, welcoming and open the whole team was. They didn’t just make space for me, they trusted me with real work, projects that mattered, and opportunities to meet and learn from the people who keep this community ticking.
One of my main pieces of work during the placement was supporting an Awards for All funding application to redevelop the local play area. This wasn’t just a paperwork task, I was involved in creating a community consultation from scratch, developing a questionnaire and getting feedback from residents about what they wanted to see in their area. It was something practical I could get my teeth into, but it also reminded me that at the heart of any successful community initiative is listening to people’s voices. I really enjoyed hearing what children, parents, and grandparents had to say, their memories of the area, their frustrations, their hopes. It reminded me why we do what we do.
Another project I worked on involved pulling together updated statistics for Ballysally and Milburn from NISRA. The purpose was to support a case for staff pay increases, something that, frankly, is long overdue. Many of the staff at Focus on Family work in a voluntary capacity or for very little pay, despite the incredible impact they’re having in the community. I felt really strongly about this. It’s not often you come across people who give so much of themselves without expecting anything back, and I honestly found it emotional at times to realise how undervalued they are in formal systems. If I could play even a small part in highlighting that and helping them get the recognition they deserve, then I feel like I’ve done something worthwhile.
I also created volunteer acknowledgment certificates, which may seem like a small gesture, but I really felt it mattered. Volunteering is the backbone of so many community organisations, and sometimes all it takes to keep someone going is to know they’re seen and appreciated. I’ve learned that recognition doesn’t have to cost much, but it can mean everything.
During my time there, I was lucky enough to get out and about too. I attended hub meetings, got stuck into one of the sewing classes they run, and even sat in on the Focus on Family Board Meeting. Each experience gave me a slightly different view of how the organisation functions, from strategic decision-making at board level, to the small group sessions that make up people’s daily lives. I saw how every layer matters, and how the success of a community organisation depends on balancing them all.
I met with Elaine, the Sure Start Manager, who gave me a really in-depth overview of the work they do with families and early years. As a mum myself, I was blown away by the range of support on offer, from playgroups and parent workshops to developmental check-ins and one-to-one support. It’s the kind of early intervention work that makes all the difference, especially in areas facing social and economic disadvantage.
I also had the chance to attend the Neighbourhood Renewal Action Planning Sub-Group meetings, which was a new experience for me. Normally, through my role with the Housing Executive, I only attend the Physical Sub-Group, but during the placement, I got to be there for the full day and really see how the different strands — Social, Community, Economy, and physical regeneration, come together. It helped me understand the bigger picture of community planning and made me think more deeply about joined-up working and how crucial it is for tackling complex problems.
Throughout the placement, I had regular conversations with people across different parts of the organisation. I spoke with Kim and the childcare team, who work so hard to create a safe and nurturing space for children, often going above and beyond what’s in their job description. I also spoke with Sarah, who coordinates the child nurturing programme. Hearing about the support they offer for children struggling with emotional or behavioural issues really moved me. It’s this kind of work that you don’t always hear about, but that changes lives quietly, one day at a time.
I also helped update some of their internal policies, which gave me insight into the behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything ticking. Policies might not seem exciting, but they’re vital for keeping services safe, consistent, and accountable.
And then there was the Coleraine Future Town Fund meeting, which I already attend in my Housing Executive role, but this time, I got to see it from the other side. Seeing how funding discussions are viewed from a community organisation’s perspective was really valuable. It made me think about how decisions made at high levels need to reflect the needs and realities of the people on the ground.
But the real highlight of my placement, the part that left the biggest impression on me, was getting to work alongside Brendan and Lee. Brendan, who manages Focus on Family, is an absolute credit to the organisation. He leads with calmness, compassion, and complete dedication. You can tell immediately how much he cares, not just about the programmes or the paperwork, but about the people. He’s steady, reliable, and incredibly knowledgeable, and he makes the difficult look effortless. Watching him navigate meetings, support his team, and advocate for the community was a real learning experience for me. He’s the kind of manager who earns respect through action, and I felt genuinely privileged to learn under him.
Then there’s Lee, the new fundraising coordinator, and honestly, he was a breath of fresh air. From the moment I met him, I could feel his energy and enthusiasm. He’s full of creative ideas, fresh thinking, and genuine passion for the work. It was clear straight away that he’s going to do great things for Focus on Family. We worked closely on a few pieces during my time there, and I really enjoyed every conversation with him. His optimism and drive are infectious, and it was inspiring to see someone so excited about the potential for growth and improvement. He’s exactly what the sector needs, someone who’s not afraid to shake things up, but who’s also deeply grounded in the values of community. Meeting him and seeing that spark of potential was, for me, the most uplifting and motivating part of my placement.
All in all, this placement wasn’t just a tick-box exercise, it was a deeply personal and meaningful journey for me. It’s made me a more empathetic, informed, and confident practitioner. I’ve learned the value of strong partnerships, of listening before acting, and of recognising the everyday heroes who hold our communities together with care, consistency, and sheer determination.
I want to thank everyone at Focus on Family for welcoming me with open arms and letting me get properly stuck in. You gave me the chance to not just observe, but to contribute, and that’s something I’ll always be grateful for. I’m walking away from this experience with a stronger sense of purpose and a deeper commitment to supporting families, building communities, and working together to create change.
It’s not always glamorous, and it’s rarely easy, but community work is where real impact begins. And for five weeks, I was lucky enough to be a part of that.
Sandra - In Focus on Family’s Boardroom
From all of us here at Focus on Family
