Staff
Veronica Morris
Chief Executive
Veronica is responsible for creating, planning, implementing, and integrating the strategic direction of the charity. This includes responsibility for all components and departments of the organisation such as income generation, financial management, lobbying activities, corporate training, farm support and stakeholder development in Northern Ireland, GB, Ireland, EU and elsewhere.
Clodagh Crowe
Head of Operations and Strategic Development
Clodagh is responsible for the overview of operations and strategic development within the organisation. This includes all operational management, stakeholder development and network engagement including with key funders: DAERA; HSCNI; PHA; Helplines NI and is point of contact for all funders in collaboration with the Chief Executive. Clodagh also manages income generation and fundraising and is also a member of the Senior Management Team.
Gillian Reid
Head of Farm Support
Gillian is responsible for the management of the Farm Support Unit, ensuring that our services and programmes are meeting the needs of our farming families. Incorporated within this is responsibility for the mentoring team who help to deliver support across Northern Ireland. Gillian is also a member of the Senior Management Team.
Dr. Aoibeann Walsh
Head of Social Farming and Innovation
Aoibeann oversees the Social Farming and Innovation Department, which is focused on farmers providing and gaining support to feel connected. The Department includes the Social Farming Support Service, the Rural Health Forum, and the Plough On and Across the Hedgerow projects. Aoibeann is also a member of the Senior Management Team.
Carol Watters
Head of Finance
Carol is responsible for the organisation’s finance function which involves providing financial and related administrative support to colleagues and stakeholders of the organisation. Carol’s responsibilities include budget management, reporting to stakeholders and ensuring all accounting activities comply with regulations. Carol is also a member of the Senior Management Team.
Melissa Wylie
Crisis Support Co-ordinator
Melissa is a member of the Farm Support Unit and is responsible for co-ordinating the Crisis Support Service and manages all aspects of our free confidential Support Line. Melissa also oversees the Life Beyond Bereavement Programme, RABI/LFT Emergency Fund and manages mentors and volunteers involved with the crisis mentoring programme.
Victoria Ross
Farm Support Co-ordinator
Victoria is a member of the Farm Support Unit and is responsible for the co-ordination of farm business and personal development programmes such as Coping with the Pressures of Farming, the Princes’ Countryside Fund Farm Resilience Programme and The Business of Farming. Victoria also oversees delivery and mentoring support services across Northern Ireland.
Deborah Gavin
Human Resources and Volunteer Co-ordinator
Deborah is responsible for the effective co-ordination of all human resources matters at Rural Support and the recruitment and management of volunteers. Deborah is also involved in staff development, learning and training.
Hannah Kirkpatrick
Marketing Communications Co-ordinator
Hannah is responsible for event planning and delivery, our outreach programme as well as integrated communications planning and delivery which includes all corporate marketing and public relations.
Deirdre McCrudden
Administrator and Executive Co-ordinator
Deirdre is responsible for the co-ordination of all central administrative and executive operations at Rural Support including acting as secretariat for the Board of Trustees. Deirdre ensures that all processes, systems, and networks are appropriately utilised and managed and acts as PA to the Senior Management Team.
Keelin McGartland
Plough On Project Co-ordinator
Keelin is responsible for the development, delivery and management of the Plough On project which aims to tackle rural isolation and increase social opportunities for older farmers
Shauna Quinn
Project Support Officer
Shauna plays an integral role in the supporting the delivery of social innovation projects, in particular the Plough On project which provides support for older and vulnerable farmers across Northern Ireland as well as Across the Hedgerow – befriending scheme for vulnerable and older adults; and the Rural Health Forum.
Bronagh Brennan
Farm Support Officer
Bronagh is responsible for the co-ordination of The Farm Business Sustainability Pilot Programme reaching farmers across Northern Ireland. She also provides essential support for other areas of delivery within the Farm Support Unit.
Nikki Foster
Social Farming Support Service Co Ordinator
Nikki coordinates the Social Farming Support Service for Northern Ireland, supporting farmers delivering or preparing to a Social Farming service and liaising with referral organisations on the opportunity for individuals with support needs to engage in meaningful activities in a farm environment.
