Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood, joined by a number of Alliance MLAs, including Alliance Communities Spokesperson Sian Mulholland MLA. The meeting brought together a critical roundtable at Stormont with 20 leading community and voluntary organisations.
 
It focused on the imminent risk of closures and redundancies facing the sector when the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is replaced by the Local Growth Fund in March 2026. Groups represented included YouthAction NI, NICVA, Mencap, Action Mental Health, and Disability Action, among others, who provide vital services from mental health support and employment training to disability and youth programmes.
 
Sorcha Eastwood MP said: "These organisations are the backbone of our communities, changing lives every day through mental health support, employment training, and advocacy. Yet, they’re facing a funding cliff edge. While the Starmer government remains distracted by its party conference and tying itself in knots, people here cannot wait. I convened today's meeting to ensure their voices are heard and to plan our next steps together to protect these critical services. We demand a bespoke Northern Ireland funding model and will keep pushing for urgent government action."
 
“We've been here before with cliff edges around funding. It's high time that the community and voluntary sector were valued and recognised for who they are: critical partners in delivering economic and social transformation. Not simply an add-on.”
 
Sian Mulholland MLA added: "Our community and voluntary sector is there for people when no one else is, and losing a single one of these services would be devastating. Alliance colleagues and I will continue to make the case to the UK Government for urgent contingency measures and a tailored NI model for the Local Growth Fund. In addition, we will also continue to encourage the Executive to work together to deliver long-term, strategic investment in the Community and Voluntary Sector."