Brenda McMullan: Halifax Foundation For Northern Ireland

 
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Brenda McMullan is Grant-Maker from West Belfast, Northern Ireland. 

After originally starting her career off in IT, Brenda is now the Executive Director of the Halifax Foundation NI — a funding body that grants over £1 million a year to local charities right here in Northern Ireland. 

The foundation has responded rapidly to the COVID-19 Crisis by making funding decisions on a bi-weekly basis — rather than quarterly — so that grassroots organisations on the frontline can receive the support they need to respond during these uncertain times. 

In today's episode, we talk about:

  • How she went from cleaning-toilets to handling funds for a major bank!

  • Some of the ways the Foundation is responding to the global pandemic

  • Her pride for West Belfast

  • The challenges parents of autistic children face

  • And her brief stint in elocution classes

     

Brenda is a real 'salt-of-the-earth' kinda woman with a huge passion for what she does and loads of great insights/stories to share along the way. 

Check it out!

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  • One thing most people don't know about you: My mum sent me to elocution lessons when I was a child because my west belfast accent was so broad.

  • Favourite Book: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

  • Favourite Quote: "I have three that are on my children's bedroom walls: wait for it..
    'If you even dream of beating me you'd better wake up and apologise' Mohammed Ali (on my 14 year old sons bedroom wall);
    'and when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. without the rain there would be no rainbow' GK Chesterton (3year old and 6 year old daughters wall)
    'Happiness can be found even in the darkest of places, if one remembers to turn on the light; dumberdore (11 year old daughters wall)"

  • Anything else:

    Halifax Foundation NI exists to support people who need our help the most – they support charities throughout Northern Ireland with small grants to help them reach the most vulnerable – those considered disadvantaged or with additional needs. They are providing funding now to support charities in their response to COVID-19 and will be here after to help charities re-establish and rebuild. Visit their website on www.halifaxfoundationni.org for more details of how to apply. Also follow them on @halifaxfni for updates

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Say hello at:

Email: matthew@bestofbelfast.org
WhatsApp: +447873636003
Website: https://bestofbelfast.org

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Quarantine Phone Calls

During the lockdown, we’re working hard to publish an episode every day featuring someone interesting from Northern Ireland.

To suggest a guest please shoot an email to matthew@bestofbelfast.org

How To Listen

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Thanks for listening, wanna hear more local stories?

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Thanks again to Brenda McMullan for taking the time to share her story with us.

See you next time.

— Matt

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Matthew Thompson