CDHN hosts 32nd AGM and launches new website
The Community Development and Health Network have hosted our 32nd AGM, which coincided with the launch of our brand-new website and a panel discussion on digital inclusion.
We’d like to thank all our members who were in attendance to celebrate our achievements of the past year and to welcome our new digital chapter.
The event was hosted on Thursday, 17 September, at Ormeau Labs, the workspace of our website designers, DHD. An added significance of this venue is that it was formerly occupied by CDHN in the early years of our work.
CDHN Chair Sheelin McKeagney began the meeting with presenting our Annual Report. He acknowledged some of the report’s highlights and emphasised the importance of partnership working. “You simply cannot do it on your own,” he stated.
“Fairness, inclusion and sustainability are the key principles and communities are at the centre of every decision we make.”
Concluding, Sheelin wished Brian Pelan, who has stepped down from the Board a farewell and good wishes.
Also addressing our members and their contribution, CDHN Director Joanne Vance said: “I am amazed at how much has been achieved this year and amazed at how our members keep going and answering all the challenges.
“You have an important voice. In the last six months, we have stepped back and listened to our members, and we hear transformation cannot take place without collective action.”
Following the usual proceedings of the AGM, Joanne then spoke about the development of our new website and branding, made possible by the National Lottery’s Dormant Assets Fund.
For the past year, CDHN have worked alongside DHD to develop a new website, with an easy-to-navigate training and events section and resource hub. Throughout this process, accessibility and digital inclusion have been at the forefront of our minds.
Managing Director of DHD Steven Legge spoke about this collaboration, adding that it was important for him to let CDHN guide this process.
This was followed by a brief overview of the website from CDHN Communications Officer Tammy-Lee Walsh and a tutorial on the use of our new resource hub from Joanne.
Towards the end of the event, we hosted a panel discussion on digital inclusion and ways of combatting the spread of online misinformation.
This panel featured CDHN’s Research and Policy Manager Helen McNamee, Advice NI’s Digital Inclusion Coordinator Asma Niazi, DHD’s Managing Director Steven Legge, and led by Patricia Donald, Head of Comms and Digital at Advice NI.
Opening the discussion, Patricia asked: “What can we all do to make sure no one is left behind?”
She then gave an overview on digital inclusion from a human rights’ perspective, stating, “People may be hard to reach but services are harder.
“One in five people in NI do not have basic digital skills. Remember, it is not just older people who lack digital skills, this is a myth
“Digital transformation is about more than change – it is making sure it is fair!”
Following expert insights from the panellists, the floor opened to questions from our audience and members shared their own frustrations with navigating digital platforms for healthcare and shared their suggestions for how CDHN can be a part of the solution.
After this discussion, the AGM was closed by CDHN Strategic Operations Manager Kathy Martin. She took a moment to remind members of the closing date for BCPP’s Level 1 funding applications and acknowledging the panel’s discussion on accessibility, she promised it would be an easy process for applicants and as always, the BCPP team would be there to help and support.
Kathy then closed by thanking the members, staff and panel: “Hard work pays off and it does not end here.”
Our papers and Annual Report from the AGM can be viewed here.
