Over 24,000 young people, families and adults living through rapidly evolving adverse social inequalities and challenging personal circumstances accessed Extern supports in 2024

Extern, a community and voluntary organisation founded in 1970s, working across the island of Ireland, laid out its strategic priorities for the next five years – Supporting People towards a Better Tomorrow. 

A strategy that will target the ever-increasing systemic social inequality, aiming to close opportunity gaps for individuals with lived experience of adversity, poverty and supporting neurodiverse populations.

Supporting People towards a Better Tomorrow, co-created with service users, commissioners and colleagues, is a significant step in addressing lack of opportunities and social inequalities. The ambitious strategy focuses on enhancing service provision while expanding outreach to young people affected by the criminal justice system, families and adults living in poverty and challenging circumstances that result in a complexity of needs, and intellectual disability and neurodiversity.

CEO Leslie Ann Scott emphasised the importance of having the right services to create meaningful change.

“Our 5-year strategy outlines our determination and commitment to work with those who require support in Ireland from the adversity they have experienced in their lives, whether that was from poverty, childhood trauma, displacement, loss of their home or because of societal marginalisation due to their ethnic or intellectual and neurological differences. Adversity experiences can result in life-changing experiences, and as we are living in an ever-changing world, Extern’s services highlight the need for an inclusive, caring and compassionate society."

"Our new strategy has reinforced and refreshed the essence of Extern’s original foundations, placing people and service users at the heart of our work. We have set ambitious goals for the next 5 years and we are committed to working with our partners, commissioners and our communities to bring lasting positive change to ensure we create a stronger, empathetic and caring society to support those in most need of support.”

Director of Commissioning at Tusla, Eifion Williams said: “We welcome the launch of ‘Supporting People towards a Better Tomorrow’ and commend Extern for its commitment to tackling complex social inequalities. As a longstanding commissioner, we have seen first-hand the meaningful impact of their work on individuals and families facing adversity."

"This strategy reflects a forward-thinking, collaborative approach that places people at its centre — a vision that closely aligns with our own priorities. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Extern to deliver inclusive, evidence-informed services that make a tangible difference in communities across the island”