Thrive Ireland

Leading for Good

In 2018, the Trust awarded a grant of £42,250 to Thrive Ireland to address the enduring challenges of poverty, sectarianism, and racism by fostering reconciliation and dialogue. It aligned with the Trust’s priorities of resolving conflict, promoting reconciliation, and bridging the gap between the Christian faith and contemporary issues in a secular society.

The project engaged 16 Christian leaders from various denominations in socio-economically deprived communities in Northern Ireland. They were offered training, peer learning, and tailored pastoral, mentoring, and coaching support. Peer group training sessions were held in places of worship across the denominational spectrum, facilitating cross-community and cross-geographical learning.

Feedback from participants highlighted the transformative impact of the support and training, with many citing the project as instrumental in clarifying complex issues, developing actionable solutions, overcoming obstacles, and celebrating achievements.

One participant reflected: “My ministry has grown in depth and impact because of the opportunity to listen to others’ experiences, but also their thoughts on how we in our ministry can make improvements… One of the most important parts of the programme was having others to journey with, both the opportunities to listen and learn from others’ experiences, as well as being able to share of my own experience and then listening to others’ reflections and thoughts on what I shared. I appreciated that all of this was done in a context of prayer, and this provided a very practical spiritual aspect to addressing much of what was being shared.”

The project’s outcomes were further disseminated at an interdenominational conference held in autumn 2022, addressing gaps in theological training for leaders working in these challenging contexts. The conference reinforced the importance of ongoing collaboration and learning among leaders tackling these pressing social issues.