Mairead McCrea
Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Registered Person
Mairead is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kids Together Belfast, having established the organisation after bringing together local families who recognised the need for better support and opportunities for children and young people with disabilities. Inspired by her own experience as the mother of a son with Down syndrome, she has dedicated her life to ensuring families feel supported, included and empowered. Since founding the organisation in 2005, Mairead has led its growth with determination, securing funding, developing sustainable services and advocating tirelessly for children, young people and young adults with disabilities. Working alongside a committed team, she has helped transform a small community initiative into a thriving organisation that makes a lasting difference to families across Belfast. Her vision remains that no family should ever feel alone and that every child, young person and family has access to the support, opportunities and inclusion they deserve.
Pamela Hughes
Chief Operating Officer and Lead Designated Child Protection Officer
Pamela has been part of Kids Together Belfast since 2010 and has played a pivotal role in its growth. A qualified Speech and Language Therapist with postgraduate qualifications in Strategic Management and extensive specialist training in disability services, she brings both professional expertise and compassionate leadership to her role. As Chief Operating Officer and Lead Designated Child Protection Officer, Pamela has led the development of innovative, family-centred programmes that respond to the evolving needs of the community. Pamela is a passionate advocate for children and families and is dedicated to ensuring every individual feels heard, valued and supported.
Sharon McCloskey
Finance Manager & Equine Therapist
As Finance Manager, Sharon oversees the organisation’s financial planning, budgeting, reporting and governance, ensuring resources are managed responsibly and effectively to support the delivery of high-quality services. Alongside her finance role, Sharon founded and developed Kids Together’s equine-assisted therapy programme, combining her passion for horses with her commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people. Working closely with the therapy horses, she has created opportunities for participants to build confidence, enhance emotional wellbeing and develop important life skills through positive, therapeutic experiences.
Andrea Muldoon
Senior Manager & Counsellor
With a Degree in Psychology and Childhood & Youth Studies, qualifications in Childcare Learning and Development, and a Diploma in Counselling, Andrea is passionate about supporting people with additional needs. She believes mental health should be considered alongside disability, recognising both as interconnected yet distinct aspects of a person’s wellbeing. Andrea takes a person-centred approach, tailoring support to each individual’s unique needs and aspirations. Alongside her counselling role, she works as a Service Manager, supporting staff to deliver high-quality, inclusive services.
Orlaith Bradley
Senior Manager
Orlaith is the Youth and Young Adults Programme Manager at Kids Together, leading inclusive programmes that empower children and young people with disabilities to participate fully in their communities. With a qualification in Post Primary Teaching and a Masters in Education, specialising in Inclusion and Special Educational Needs, she is passionate about promoting accessibility, independence, and meaningful opportunities, working closely with young people, families, and partners to create communities where everyone can thrive.
Anna Armstrong
Senior Manager
With a Degree in Psychology and a Level 5 qualification in Childcare and Management, Anna manages our Afterschools Programmes, supporting children and young people to access meaningful opportunities, build friendships, and develop confidence in a safe and welcoming environment. Passionate about supporting both children and their families, Anna believes that every child and young person deserves a place where they feel understood, valued, and accepted for who they are. Taking a person-centred approach, she recognises the importance of meeting each individual where they are at, tailoring support to their unique strengths, interests, and needs.
Peter Murphy
Chairperson
Peter Murphy was trained initially as a secondary school maths teacher but soon found himself teaching within the special education sector. For the last 12 years he held the post as lead teacher at the Iveagh Centre in Belfast, a hospital ward that supports children and young people with severe learning difficulties who have a variety of complex needs and mental health concerns. Peter worked as part of a multi-disciplinary team to help facilitate in each pupils’ recovery while also maintaining educational support and progression. Peter is currently the lead teacher in maths at Beechcroft Education Unit, providing education for the young people at Beechcroft Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit. Peter became involved in Kids together Belfast after his eldest son, Dylan, who has Down’s Syndrome, was accepted onto Rainbow, the two-year old programme. Since then, Dylan has been supported by KTB, which has been invaluable to both Dylan and his family. Peter agreed to join the board as a way to give back for all the support that KTB has provided for both his son and his family for the last 12 years.
Claire McConway
Vice Chairperson
Claire McConway is the Clinical Site Specialist for Breast Cancer in radiotherapy in the Cancer Centre. Claire has a Bsc (Hons) Therapeutic Radiography and has been working in cancer care for nearly 20 years guiding patients through their radiotherapy treatment in the City hospital. Claire first came into contact with kids together in 2016 when her son Jay was diagnosed with autism age 4 and found herself struggling to find adequate childcare to suit jays specific needs. A family friend put her in touch with Kids Together who sorted out all her child care issues such as school pickups and summer schemes, with this unwavering support Claire was able to carry on with her career. From this, Claire joined the committee to offer parental support, guidance and lived experience for all aspects and services offered by Kids Together.
Geraldine O’Neill
Treasurer
As the parent of a child with special needs, Geraldine is a passionate advocate for inclusion, accessibility, and supporting families facing similar challenges. She works as a dedicated Classroom Assistant, where she is committed to creating an inclusive, nurturing environment that helps every child reach their full potential. She believes every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and be celebrated for their unique strengths. As Treasurer of Kids Together, Geraldine oversees the charity's financial management, ensuring resources are used responsibly to support its mission. Through both her professional and voluntary roles, she is committed to making a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of children and families.
Bridgeen McKenna
Secretary
Short Bio Placeholder
Tony Simpson
Director
Tony Simpson has been a Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Department of Finance since 2022. He is responsible for providing strategic advice to the Finance Minister and the wider Executive on a broad range of economic, finance and fiscal policy matters. Prior to that, Tony was the Chief Economist in the Northern Ireland Civil Service for 8 years. He holds a BA (Hons) Applied Economics & MSc Finance. Tony is also a volunteer with the Titanic Tigers Special Olympics Athletics Club, where he is also a member of the Management Committee of the club, which is a registered charity.
Mark Kernaghan
Director
Mark Kernaghan is a Board Member of the charity, bringing both professional expertise and personal commitment to supporting children and adults with special needs. A graduate of Queen’s University Belfast and having studied in Italy Mark qualified as a solicitor in 2010 and specialises in litigation, with extensive experience across both the private and public sectors. Before this he worked in the insurance industry in Dublin. Throughout his career, Mark has developed strong skills in legal analysis, governance, risk management, and strategic decision-making. He brings particular expertise in dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, and advising organisations in complex and sensitive environments. As a parent of a child with complex needs, Mark offers valuable lived experience and insight, helping to ensure the charity’s work remains informed, compassionate, and responsive to the needs of the individuals and families it serves.
