Patrons and Ambassadors

Patrons and Ambassadors

The Patrons of YouthAction NI play a unique role in promoting young people's issues in a wider arena.  These are The Lord O'Neill; Dame Mary Peters; artists Neil Shawcross, Ciarán Hinds, and Martin McCann, and Eric Fisher (vice president of Valero). 

Our Patrons are very involved in all aspects of the organisation, providing support and guidance to staff and Board members, as well as promoting our work widely. Ciarán and Martin are regular visitors to meet with young people, run master classes and provide guidance to the Artistic Director. Neil Shawcross has donated a set of limited edition prints, to contribute to our fundraising strategy. The Lord O'Neill, Hon. Shane O’Neill and Dame Mary Peters graciously host regular events for volunteers, business partners and stakeholders to demonstrate the appreciation of the charity for ongoing support. Eric Fisher brings an international corporate dimension to the work of our charity. Our Patrons take a keen interest in the work of the charity and provide support to Board members and the Chief Executive.

President Shane O’Neill

The Hon. Shane O’Neill is President of the charity and the lead volunteer and figurehead of YouthAction NI. Shane is a dedicated exponent of the work of YouthAction NI in improving the life chances of young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds; those with challenging mental health issues and those who need one on one support to gain employment or education. Shane leads the way in connecting the Board and the various youth governance groups. 

“I am delighted to be President, mainly because I feel it is very important to support young people in progressing in their lives or careers. There is a long family connection that I wish to continue. Working with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds helps the entire country in the long run, by guiding their inherent drive and energies in a positive direction.”  

The Lord O'Neill

The Lord O’Neill has been connected with YouthAction NI (formerly Northern Ireland Association of Youth Clubs) for 50 years. He was actively involved in the purchase and conversation of the charity’s premises Hampton at Glenmachan Park, Belfast. The building was in a very poor state having been converted into flats and badly maintained. The NIAYC committee led the work to transform it into a residential centre for young people. 

Appointed President of the charity in 1968, The Lord O’Neill was its figurehead for almost 40 years. In 2007, he was invited to become a patron of the charity and his son Hon. Shane O’Neill succeeded him as President. As a patron, The Lord O’Neill has continues to support the work by hosting a range of events for volunteers and supporters. 

  “Over the period of my association with the organisation, it has changed beyond all recognition. It would probably not be unkind to say that when I started it was run by a group of enthusiastic and inspired amateurs. Now it is run by a group of highly trained professional and dedicated individuals.”

Lady Mary Peters, CH DBE

Lady Mary Peters represented Northern Ireland at every Commonwealth Games between 1958 and 1974. In these games she won 2 gold medals for the pentathlon, plus a gold and silver medal for the shot put. She was appointed CBE in 1990, having been appointed MBE in 1972. In 2000 she was appointed Dame Commander of the British Empire. 

Mary has been an inspiration to people throughout Northern Ireland, bringing people together in times of trouble, through her sporting triumphs. She is a true ambassador for sport, and inspiration to young people. Dame Mary Peters has been an active supporter of YouthAction Northern Ireland since the 1970s    

Ciarán Hinds, Actor

Ciarán Hinds is an Irish film, television, and stage actor. An international renowned actor Ciarán has featured in films such as Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2; Veronica Guerin; There will be Blood; Frozen and First Man. Among the TV Series he has appeared in are Game of Thrones; Above Suspicion; Political Animal; Rome and The Terror. Ciarán has also ‘treaded the boards’ in a range of productions including Translations; Girl from the North Country; Juno and the Paycock and The Crucible. 

“YouthAction NI’s Rainbow Factory (school of performing arts) is there to encourage young people of all ages to get involved in theatre projects, to nourish and provide them with training, to help develop their talent and to allow them a platform in which they can demonstrate their skills publicly.”                   

Eric Fisher, VALERO European President  

Eric Fisher is Vice President of Corporate Development, Strategic Planning & Investor Relations ~ Valero Energy Corporation. Eric became interested in the charity’s work when he was European President with the company. 

Valero Energy Corporation (trading as Texaco) has been a supporter of our youth arts work for 25 years.

Neil Shawcross MBE, International Artist 

Neil Shawcross MBE is an artist born in Lancashire, England, and resident in Northern Ireland since 1962. Neil is a renowned watercolourist and has supported YouthAction NI’s work for many years, having donated a limited edition of 50 ‘Cup and Saucer” prints to raise funds for our life-changing work with young people. Neil is well known for his ability to turn a mundane object into a vibrant work of art and this print is in this vein. He has exhibited nationally, with one-man shows in London, Manchester, Dublin and Belfast and internationally in Hong Kong and the United States and his work is found in many private and corporate collections. To purchase one of the prints please contact annemct@youthaction.org 

Martin McCann, Actor

A former member of YouthAction NI’s Rainbow Factory (school of performing arts) Martin is an Irish film actor. 

He has received acclaim with leading roles in a variety of productions including The Pacific; Killing Bono; Swansong; The Survivalist and Calibre.  
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