Aisling Doherty, Action Mental Health, on the power of the Leadership Collective
When Aisling Doherty joined Holywell Trust’s Leadership Collective, she wasn’t just looking for traditional professional development. As Project Manager for SkillSET at Action Mental Health, she wanted something deeper: a space where leaders could tackle big societal challenges, moving beyond political divides to create real change. In the Holywell Leadership Collective, she’s found what she was looking for.
Aisling reflects on her experiences with the unique programme in Derry:
“I wanted to meet leaders across sectors who were interested in having conversations that moved away from party political standpoints and towards making a difference.
“The Leadership Collective brings together people from vastly different backgrounds - different sectors, political views, and perspectives. However, the one important area that all participants agreed on is that the North West is one of the most underrated areas in Northern Ireland and has been underestimated and underfunded for years.
Aisling Doherty, AMH & Leadership Collective Member
“What drew me to the group was the opportunity to explore how partnership working could address broader systemic issues. Northern Ireland’s history of division means that it is essential to create spaces for genuine dialogue.
“I believe that the one thing that should unite us all is that the impacts of poverty, removal of services, and lack of support will damage people, no matter what country your passport belongs to.
Unique Experiences to Empower Change
“Through working with the Leadership Collective, I have been empowered in my own leadership journey. My fellow participants are some of the most fascinating people I have met.
“As a group we visited Stormont and met with political representatives and we participated in a research residential in Dublin, learning from peers and leaders about challenges across the border.
“These experiences have really helped to shape my approach to leadership and advocacy. The Leadership Collective has shown me how important genuine community conversation is. I have recognised just how essential it is to ensure that all voices in the room are actually heard, not just speaking. Because that is the only way to make meaningful change happen.
Untapped Potential
“For me the most exciting aspect of the Leadership Collective is its untapped potential. We are such a diverse group, and I feel we have only just scratched the surface of what we are all capable of. Each member brings passion for different causes, and through championing each other’s work, we strengthen the entire community.
“In turn, through spending meaningful time with other leaders and understanding their challenges and causes, I am more connected to my own community and to the North West than ever before.”
The Leadership Collective’s approach aligns perfectly with Aisling’s broader work. In her role as Project Manager for SkillSET at Action Mental Health, Aisling coordinates a pan-disability consortium working alongside partners including AdaptNI, Cedar, Mencap, NOW, Orchardville, and RNIB to support people with disabilities and health conditions across Northern Ireland.
Beyond her role at Action Mental Health, she serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of Atypical, a Deaf, Disabled, and Neurodivergent-led arts organisation. Both roles share a common thread: creating inclusive spaces where marginalised voices are heard and valued.
She continued,
“Right now, our sector faces a stark crisis: the replacement of UK Shared Prosperity Fund with the Local Growth Fund in April 2026 brings a 64% capital/36% revenue split, meaning community and voluntary organisations like ours can only access about one third of previous programme funding.
“This is directly threatening over 400 jobs across 64 organisations and could leave 11,000 people without the specialised, wraparound support they depend on. These are real people whose lives will be directly negatively impacted. No-one wants to use the term crisis lightly, but this is potentially devastating.
“We are working to raise awareness of this by highlighting the stories of real people who we support, which includes people with mental health issues, brain injury, autism, learning disability, sight and hearing loss.
“Along with other sector partners, we’re asking our government departments to ensure Westminster understands the need to protect and sustainably fund services which reflect the needs of every individual in our community.
A Model for Collaborative Leadership
“At this really challenging time for our sector, the Leadership Collective has given me – and others - a space of open, fearless conversation and peer support. It has genuinely empowered me in my own leadership journey, and given me the confidence to advocate on behalf of the people who need and rely on such vitally important community services – and to drive for change.”
Learn More
Connect with Aisling: linkedin.com/in/aisling-doherty-12b01356/
Action Mental Health: www.amh.org.uk