Social Partner
Community/Voluntary Representative

Network Co-ordinator
TADA Rural Network

Grainne Close is Network Co-ordinator with TADA Rural Network. She has been working with TADA since April 2005. She was elected a member of The Bridge Partnership to represent the interests of both community and voluntary rural organisations throughout the Banbridge District Council area. She is committed to the development of partnerships with statutory agencies, government departments, local businesses and other community and voluntary groups.

Grainne was the Community Development Officer with the Banbridge Regeneration Agencies Network project, from November 2003 until April 2005. She is very aware of the issues facing communities in the Banbridge District and has worked tirelessly to support and empower many local community organizations. She has been instrumental in promoting Banbridge in a positive light and in June 2005 designed a ‘Welcome Pack,’ translated into 6 different languages for migrant workers and ethnic minority populations new to Banbridge District.

She has been working in the Community sector for over 12 years and has a wide experience and knowledge of the sector in both urban and rural settings. Grainne has lived and worked in both Dublin and New York City and has been able to gain a wealth of knowledge and experience from her travels. She says the issues may be different but how to engage and work with communities is not. Grainne is currently studying her Bsc Community Development Hons at Ulster University and hopes to continue with her Masters when completed.

Grainne’s passion in life is documentary photography and when she’s not working hard in TADA she’s out and about with her camera. Grainne studied photography at ‘The New School,’ New York City and has had two exhibitions in Dublin to date.

In her role as Network Co-ordinator with TADA Rural Network she provides independent information and support to rural community and voluntary organisations at both local and regional levels, developmental support takes the form of information and guidance on funding applications, community audit processes, facilitation of public meetings and assistance with projects and strategic development.

Grainne currently manages a number of local projects including Craigavon ICT, Connect, Rural Lisburn Outreach Project, Community energy program, Banbridge Regeneration Agencies Network and works in partnership with community, voluntary and statutory organization to advocate for rural communities.

Grainne is presently a member of the Southern Health and Social Services Community Development Community Forum, Southern Investing for Health Partnership, Banbridge Regeneration Agencies Network (BRAN), Banbridge Connect, Craigavon Travelers, Armagh Community Development Reference Group, Shared Future Planning group and Rural Community Network’s Consultation and

Neighbourhood and Environment Issues group, Craigavon Social Care group. Craigavon & Banbridge Migrant Workers Forum, Creative I Partnership,