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  • Extern Ireland respond to Budget

    Extern Ireland respond to Budget

    Extern Ireland respond to Budget 2023 announcement Read more

  • Leading agencies from Voluntary and Community Sector meet with Belfast Lord Mayor

    Leading agencies from Voluntary and Community Sector meet with Belfast Lord Mayor

    Extern, Homeless Connect and the Welcome Organisation make call for more resources to manage the growing drugs problem and prevent further drug-related deaths on Belfast’s streets. Read more

  • Justice Minister hears how Extern is bringing positive change to young people across Co Kildare

    Justice Minister hears how Extern is bringing positive change to young people across Co Kildare

    Minister of State at the Department of Justice James Browne has met with staff from Extern to hear how it is helping to divert young people across the Kildare area from entering the criminal justice system. Read more

  • Extern Ireland respond to Budget
  • Leading agencies from Voluntary and Community Sector meet with Belfast Lord Mayor
  • Justice Minister hears how Extern is bringing positive change to young people across Co Kildare
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  1. News

Media and press centre

Extern Media Relations


Get in touch

Extern’s communications team aims to be responsive, open and honest.

Our office is staffed from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Northern Ireland Office 

Tel: +44 (0)28 9084 0555

Southern Ireland Office 

Tel: +353 45 878720

For urgent out-of-hours media enquiries please telephone

NI +44 (0) 7739 977095

ROI +353 (0) 8670 13185


Sharon Hearty
Head of Communications and Engagement

Email: [email protected]rn.org

Mob: +44 (0) 7739 977095

Mob: +353 (0) 8670 13185

Matthew McCreary
External Communications Officer

Email: [email protected]

Mob: +44 (0)7484 503552

Ian Dinsmore
Digital Communications Officer

Email: [email protected]

Mob: +44 (0) 7825 119 258


Looking for a case study? 

Here are just a few of the people Extern supports everyday


Extern Experts

As the leading social justice charity working across the island of Ireland, Extern provides a service for journalists from the print, broadcast and online media who may need to seek expert comment or briefings from our staff in relation to the areas we work in, including:

  • Housing and Homelessness
  • Drug and alcohol misuse (U18s and adults)
  • Mental Health and living with the impact of suicide (U18s and adults)
  • Refugee Support/Asylum Seekers (Families and individuals)
  • Traveller community
  • Justice services (U18s and adults)
  • Skills and employability

In Extern we appreciate that members of the media may benefit from an informal chat or face-to-face meeting in order to aid their knowledge when reporting on an issue. We are always more than happy to facilitate these, so please get in touch.

We also act as the main contact point for members of the media who may need to seek information about the organisation from time-to-time.

Latest news

Extern joins local schools in Drogheda to raise funds for ‘blooming’ great cause

Extern joins local schools in Drogheda to raise funds for ‘blooming’ great cause

Extern in Drogheda to fundraise for Daffodil Day by growing and selling their own flowers to raise cash for people with cancer. Read more

Published: 24th March, 2023

Author: Ian Dinsmore

East Antrim ‘dippers’ celebrate successful year of Embracing good mental health

East Antrim ‘dippers’ celebrate successful year of Embracing good mental health

Extern Embrace swim group mark their first birthday with a special ‘celebration dip’ at Ballygally. Read more

Published: 14th March, 2023

Updated: 24th March, 2023

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Extern targets stress and poor mental health among Northern Ireland’s university students

Extern targets stress and poor mental health among Northern Ireland’s university students

Extern launch new print and digital resource for University Mental Health Day Read more

Published: 9th March, 2023

Updated: 14th March, 2023

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 3 McKinney Road, Mallusk, BT36 4PE

Statement from Extern on Overdose Prevention Facilities

Statement from Extern on Overdose Prevention Facilities

Statement from Extern in response to Belfast City Council motion on creation of an Overdose Prevention Facility – Thursday, March 2nd. Read more

Published: 2nd March, 2023

Updated: 23rd March, 2023

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 3 McKinney Road, Mallusk, BT36 4PE

Extern urges public to make the move from Dry January to ‘Feelgood February’

Extern urges public to make the move from Dry January to ‘Feelgood February’

Extern is encouraging people to make the most of their Dry January efforts at cutting down on alcohol by continuing into a ‘Feelgood February’. Read more

Published: 6th February, 2023

Updated: 6th March, 2023

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 3 McKinney Road, Mallusk, BT36 4PE

Gambling among adolescents: an emerging public health problem issue in Ireland

Gambling among adolescents: an emerging public health problem issue in Ireland

New research finds there has been a “four-fold increase in engagement in online gambling” among young people aged between 17 and 20 Read more

Published: 9th January, 2023

Updated: 6th February, 2023

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: Monread Leisure and Commercial Centre, Monread Avenue, Naas, W91 YWX3

Getting to know you - Caroline Maxwell, Extern’s Boardroom Apprentice for 2022-23

Getting to know you - Caroline Maxwell, Extern’s Boardroom Apprentice for 2022-23

Caroline Maxwell is Extern’s Boardroom Apprentice for 2022-23. She took time out to chat about her experience of the role so far and what she hopes to achieve during her tenure. Read more

Published: 9th January, 2023

Updated: 1st February, 2023

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 3 McKinney Road, Mallusk, BT36 4PE

Extern Ireland respond to Budget

Extern Ireland respond to Budget

Extern Ireland respond to Budget 2023 announcement Read more

Published: 28th September, 2022

Updated: 24th October, 2022

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: Monread Leisure and Commercial Centre, Monread Avenue, Naas, W91 YWX3

Open letter on the cost of living crisis in Northern Ireland

Open letter on the cost of living crisis in Northern Ireland

On behalf of the organisations undersigned, we are making a joint plea for urgent action to mitigate the devastating impact of the cost of living crisis in Northern Ireland. Read more

Published: 22nd September, 2022

Updated: 15th November, 2022

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 3 McKinney Road, Mallusk, BT36 4PE

Opinion: We must not let deaths be in vain

Opinion: We must not let deaths be in vain

Extern’s Assistant Director Mal Byrne looks at what can be done to tackle the drugs problem in Northern Ireland Read more

Published: 30th August, 2022

Updated: 12th September, 2022

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 3 McKinney Road, Mallusk, BT36 4PE

Extern urges government to prioritise family poverty and gambling addiction in forthcoming Budget

Extern urges government to prioritise family poverty and gambling addiction in forthcoming Budget

Extern has called on the government to ‘close the gap’ in funding for services for the most vulnerable families Read more

Published: 25th August, 2022

Updated: 22nd September, 2022

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: Monread Leisure and Commercial Centre, Monread Avenue, Naas, W91 YWX3

Leading agencies from Voluntary and Community Sector meet with Belfast Lord Mayor

Leading agencies from Voluntary and Community Sector meet with Belfast Lord Mayor

Extern, Homeless Connect and the Welcome Organisation make call for more resources to manage the growing drugs problem and prevent further drug-related deaths on Belfast’s streets. Read more

Published: 5th August, 2022

Updated: 25th August, 2022

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 118-122 Royal Avenue, Belfast, BT1 1DL

Justice Minister hears how Extern is bringing positive change to young people across Co Kildare

Justice Minister hears how Extern is bringing positive change to young people across Co Kildare

Minister of State at the Department of Justice James Browne has met with staff from Extern to hear how it is helping to divert young people across the Kildare area from entering the criminal justice system. Read more

Published: 1st August, 2022

Updated: 25th August, 2022

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: Monread Leisure and Commercial Centre, Monread Avenue, Naas, W91 YWX3

Extern receives £9,000 in funding from Moy Park

Extern receives £9,000 in funding from Moy Park

Extern Northern Ireland has been awarded funding by leading food company Moy Park to help expand their work within the local community. Read more

Published: 7th July, 2022

Updated: 15th July, 2022

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 73 Molesworth Street, Cookstown, BT80 8PA

New pilot partnership to tackle anti-social behaviour

New pilot partnership to tackle anti-social behaviour

Extern appoint new appoint new street support worker in partnership with Linen Quarter Business Improvement District (LQ BID) to improve community safety in Belfast. Read more

Published: 15th June, 2022

Updated: 7th July, 2022

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 3 McKinney Road, Mallusk, BT36 4PE

Extern targets loneliness and poor mental health in Northern Ireland’s rural communities

Extern targets loneliness and poor mental health in Northern Ireland’s rural communities

Extern is helping to highlight the impact of isolation and loneliness in rural areas across Northern Ireland with the publication of a new print and digital resource Read more

Published: 11th May, 2022

Updated: 1st August, 2022

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 3 McKinney Road, Mallusk, BT36 4PE

Cross-border project celebrates life-changing outcomes for over 750 young people

Cross-border project celebrates life-changing outcomes for over 750 young people

Extern is celebrating, in partnership with Verbal the success of a unique cross-border project which has helped over 750 vulnerable and marginalised children and young people Read more

Published: 23rd March, 2022

Updated: 5th May, 2022

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 3 McKinney Road, Mallusk, BT36 4PE

Anti-sectarianism project celebrates life-changing outcomes for  young people across Greater Belfast

Anti-sectarianism project celebrates life-changing outcomes for young people across Greater Belfast

The On the Right Track! Personal Change Programme celebrates its success in supporting dozens of young people across Greater Belfast Read more

Published: 3rd March, 2022

Updated: 29th April, 2022

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 3 McKinney Road, Mallusk, BT36 4PE

Extern Group and Extern Ireland announce changes in Chairs

Extern Group and Extern Ireland announce changes in Chairs

Extern is pleased to announce the appointments of new chairs to Extern Group and Extern Ireland and pass on its gratitude to the outgoing chair. Read more

Published: 14th December, 2021

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 3 McKinney Road, Mallusk, BT36 4PE

Bangor RFC’s ‘Topless Singers’ in good voice for Extern charity Christmas appeal

Bangor RFC’s ‘Topless Singers’ in good voice for Extern charity Christmas appeal

Players from Bangor Rugby Club will be braving the winter chill next Friday, December 17th, by performing ‘topless tunes’ at Ulster Rugby’s Kingspan Stadium to raise funds for Extern’s Safe Haven Christmas Appeal Read more

Published: 10th December, 2021

Updated: 17th January, 2022

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 3 McKinney Road, Mallusk, BT36 4PE

Extern delivers problem gambling workshops to schools across Ireland

Extern delivers problem gambling workshops to schools across Ireland

Extern is highlighting the dangers of problem gambling among young people as part of a new series of workshops being delivered to schools in a range of areas across Ireland. Read more

Published: 23rd November, 2021

Updated: 5th May, 2022

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 3 McKinney Road, Mallusk, BT36 4PE

OPINION: Why words really matter in people’s lives

OPINION: Why words really matter in people’s lives

How we speak about our work publicly can often be at odds with how people might perceive what we do. But attitudes are changing among press and public alike, says Extern’s Communications Officer, Matthew McCreary Read more

Published: 22nd November, 2021

Updated: 6th December, 2021

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 3 McKinney Road, Mallusk, BT36 4PE

Meet our staff - Patricia Devlin

Meet our staff - Patricia Devlin

We love hearing about how Extern can change lives, not only for our service users but for our staff and volunteers as well. This month we meet Patricia Devlin, who manages our Innis Centre and Dismas House hostels in Belfast Read more

Published: 9th November, 2021

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 3 McKinney Road, Mallusk, BT36 4PE

Free online talks to tackle darkest days for people living in Mid-Ulster area

Free online talks to tackle darkest days for people living in Mid-Ulster area

Extern and Turning Point NI are teaming together this autumn to give a series of free online seminars for those in the Mid-Ulster area who are dealing with poor mental health, problem gambling, or loss. Read more

Published: 7th October, 2021

Updated: 1st December, 2021

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 3 McKinney Road, Mallusk, BT36 4PE

Load more Back to top

Showing 10 of 76

Latest

  • Extern joins local schools in Drogheda to raise funds for ‘blooming’ great cause

    Extern joins local schools in Drogheda to raise funds for ‘blooming’ great cause

    Extern in Drogheda to fundraise for Daffodil Day by growing and selling their own flowers to raise cash for people with cancer.

  • Extern's North West Services

    Extern's North West Services

    Find out more about our services and supports in the North West area.

  • Caoimhe's story - Traveller Primary Health Care

    Caoimhe's story - Traveller Primary Health Care

    "Extern has helped me build my self­ confidence and motivation levels."

  • East Antrim ‘dippers’ celebrate successful year of Embracing good mental health

    East Antrim ‘dippers’ celebrate successful year of Embracing good mental health

    Extern Embrace swim group mark their first birthday with a special ‘celebration dip’ at Ballygally.

Most read

  • Why is hope important?

    Why is hope important?

    Having hope reduces feelings of helplessness, increases happiness, reduces stress, and improves our quality of life.

  • Latest jobs with Extern

    Latest jobs with Extern

    Work with Extern and help us support more children, young people, individuals and families to change their lives everyday

  • Apply these 10 techniques if you're living with paranoia and fear

    Apply these 10 techniques if you're living with paranoia and fear

    Tips for helping yourself, and guidance for friends and family.

  • What is Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD)?

    What is Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD)?

    Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, causes extreme mood shifts ranging from mania to depression. Learn how it is diagnosed, possible causes and ways to get treatment

  • Who we are

    Extern transform lives as the leading social justice charity across the island of Ireland.

  • Contact us

    Telephone advice and information for people with a housing problem or who are homeless, living with poor mental health or problem gambling.

  • What we do

    What we do

    Extern is the leading social justice charity operating across the island of Ireland. We are also the leading provider of placements for social work students in the voluntary sector.

  • Ormeau Centre

    Ormeau Centre

    Based in Belfast, Extern's Ormeau Centre provides temporary accommodation and support to men and women experiencing homelessness

  • Meet our Strategic Leadership Team

    The leadership team have overall corporate responsibility for Extern's corporate strategy, leadership, management and organisational performance.

  • How to deal with suicidal thoughts and feelings

    How to deal with suicidal thoughts and feelings

    Even though your pain may seem overwhelming and permanent at the moment, we have advice on how to manage suicidal thoughts and feelings

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addiction alcohol appeal belfast derry DONATE drugs homeless Janus Jobs Justice mental health MUST HOSTEL Safe Haven suicide ulster rugby
Janus Programme

Janus Programme

The Janus programme works intensively on a one-to-one basis with young people aged 10-17 years, who are living in the community or within the care system Read more

Published: 22nd February, 2019

Updated: 21st March, 2023

Author: Siobhan Malone

Location: 25 Newcastle Road, Galway, H91 RW28

Overdose Prevention Facilities

Overdose Prevention Facilities

Overdose Prevention Facilities (OPFs) are places where illicit drugs can be taken under the supervision of trained staff, in a sterile environment. Read more

Published: 1st November, 2022

Updated: 7th March, 2023

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 3 McKinney Road, Mallusk, BT36 4PE

Connor's Story - Youth Engagement Service

Connor's Story - Youth Engagement Service

The guys at the Youth Engagement Service provided a place for me where I could speak honestly about what was going on in my life. Read more

Published: 8th February, 2023

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 10-12 High Street, Bangor, BT20 5AY

Caoimhe's story - Traveller Primary Health Care

Caoimhe's story - Traveller Primary Health Care

"Extern has helped me build my self­ confidence and motivation levels." Read more

Published: 21st March, 2023

Author: Ian Dinsmore

Location: 2 Cannon Row, Navan

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Contact us

Extern is a registered charity in Northern Ireland
Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC105869
Company Registration No: NI 16083
Registered office

Hydepark House,        
3 McKinney Road,
Newtownabbey, BT36 4PE
Telephone: Mon to Fri 9-5pm 
+44 (0)28 9084 0555

Extern is a registered charity in the Republic of Ireland
Company Registration No: 383201
Registered Charity Number: 20055318
Registered office

Extern, 1st floor, Block 4
Monread Leisure and Commercial Centre,
Monread Avenue,
Naas, Co Kildare
W91 YWX3
Tel: Mon to Fri 9-5pm +353 (0)45 878720
Extern Problem Gambling: 
ROI: 089 241 5401
NI: 07537 188 575


Extern Group
Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC103226
Company No. NI 618684

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