Niamh is an Administration and Communications Assistant at Arts Care, and a creative writer. She graduated from Queen’s University in 2025 with a BA in English with Creative Writing, and has a previous background in marketing, content creation and 1:1 classroom assistance to primary school children with autism. Niamh joined Arts Care in January 2026 on a six month placement, and was then given a permanent position in November 2026. Arts Care’s mission is incredibly important to her due to her background in the arts and her work with children with additional needs. She is extremely passionate about the impact of creativity for health and wellbeing, and applies her background in marketing to assist with social media, content creation and event planning within the organisation. In her spare time, she loves to write, paint and fuss over her ginger cat, Monkey!

Mairead McCormack is a Programme Officer with Arts Care and a Visual Artist with a background in textiles. She holds a First Class Honours in Textile Art with Design and Fashion from Ulster University. Her practice combines fabric manipulation, hand embroidery, analog and digital collage, and painting to explore themes of identity, memory and connectivity. Alongside her practice, Mairead had over 10 years of experience developing and delivering creative workshops and community arts programmes across a range of settings. She has worked with organisations including Nerve Centre, Arts Ekta, Craft NI, Voluntary Arts, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and the Lyric Theatre. Mairead is passionate about making art accessible to everyone and creating warm welcoming spaces where people can build confidence, connect with others and discover the joy of creative expression.

Stephen Doyle is a Project Officer with Arts Care. He is a medical doctor (MB BCh BAO Hons) and a writer of literary fiction. He holds a PhD in Medical Education that extensively incorporates Lacanian psychoanalysis. He is deeply interested in the role of arts and culture in society and its impact on physical and mental wellbeing. His work sits at the intersection of artistic practice, psychoanalytic thought, and intercultural exchange.

Barry Macaulay BEM brings over 25 years of expertise in health, social care, and disability to Arts Care, joining from his role as NI Director at the Stroke Association.  His career began in social work and advanced into senior management within the third sector, notably with RNIB and Stroke Association.  Recognised for his impact on Disability Sport in Northern Ireland, Barry was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2019.  A dedicated musician, Barry has been involved with Arts Care for over 15 years, volunteering his talents at countless sessions and events, making him a familiar and passionate advocate for the transformative power of the arts.

Julianne Skillen joined Arts Care in October 2023, bringing over 28 years of experience in participatory arts, community, and education.  Originally trained as an art historian and teacher, Julianne has held diverse roles, including Funding Officer for ACNI, Belfast City Council, and TNLCF, as well as Development Manager at Community Arts Partnership and Heritage Officer for ArtsEkta.  She is deeply passionate about the transformative power of the arts and the joy of creativity for its own sake.  Julianne is also a skilled florist and floral arts facilitator. In her spare time, she loves connecting with nature, spending time with family and friends, and relaxing with her dachshund, Frank.

Karen Parkinson joined Arts Care in November 2022, bringing a wealth of expertise in finance and accountancy across diverse sectors.  Since joining, she has transformed Arts Care’s finance department, providing invaluable insights and support.  Passionate about the charity sector, Karen previously spent over 13 years with Sure Start and continues to volunteer with Helping Hands – Autism Support. Known for her vibrant personality, she’s also recognised for having the prettiest office and the most impressive nails around!