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Take part in the programme

If you would like to take part in the programme you can find out more about the programme and register your interest in participation.

Key project contacts

Professor Assumpta Ryan - Director of My Home Life NI

With a background in adult and mental health nursing, Assumpta has a longstanding interest in the provision of care and support to older people and their families.She leads the ‘Caring for Older People and Their Families’ strand of the Person-centred Practice Research Centre at Ulster University.

She led the successful award of a Knowledge Transfer grant which was used to improve quality of life in care homes in Northern Ireland through the operationalising of the MHL themes.

Sarah Penney - Associate Director of My Home Life NI

Sarah Penney is a Registered Nurse, Ulster University Lecturer and Associate Director of My Home Life NI. Sarah has experience in acute surgical care and previous care home management experience.

Sarah is passionate about dementia research and empowering others to develop their skills and achieve their full potential.

Project team members

Dr Brighide Lynch - Research Associate

Brighide is a Research Associate with My Home Life Northern Ireland. Brighide has had a long career as a registered nurse, working for several years as Coordinator of Services for Older People in the Republic of Ireland.  A key area of this role included practice development and organisational culture and evaluation.

Her doctoral study in 2015 explored the role of situational leadership in transforming the culture of long-term care for older people to one that is person-centred.

Project  Administrator

Jackie Parkington - Project Administrator, My Home Life NI

Institute of Nursing and Health Research - School of Nursing

Jackie Parkington is Project Administrator for My Home Life NI. Jackie has 30+ years’ experience working in HR and Project support roles.  She and is an avid supporter of volunteering and engaging with local communities to make a difference.

Northern Ireland  Facilitators

Rosemary Bradley

Rosemary Bradley is a Research Fellow and  Facilitator for My Home Life NI. Rosemary has worked in a wide variety of health and Social Care settings and has a keen interest in supporting people to improve physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

- Research Fellow/Facilitator - My Home Life NI

- Institute of Nursing and Health Research - School of Nursing

Aoife Conway

- Research Fellow/Facilitator -  My Home Life NI

Aoife Conway is a a facilitator at My Home Life NI and a lecturer at the School of Nursing and Paramedic Science at Ulster University. Registered as a mental health nurse, her area of expertise is in the care of older individuals, focusing particularly on improving care standards within care homes. Specialising in Dementia care, Aoife is dedicated to advancing the quality of life for those living with Dementia.

Deirdre Harkin

- Research Fellow/Facilitator -  My Home Life NI

Deirdre is a Facilitator at My Home Life NI and lecturer in Nursing at Ulster University with a background in Adult Nursing.  She is dedicated to enhancing care for individuals living with dementia, which is the primary focus of her research work.  In clinical practice, she developed and implemented the Purple Folder Toolkit, improving care for people living with Dementia.  Deirdre’s doctoral study focused on Dementia and Pain Management resulting in the co creation of DOTS pain management approach.

Marie O'Neill

Dr Marie O’Neill is a senior lecturer in the School of Life and Health Sciences at Ulster University. Dr O’Neill has a passionate research interest in the health needs of older people and completed her PhD exploring the experiences of older people moving from home into a care home over a one-year period. Dr O’Neill’s research has generated both international impact as well as policy review in Northern Ireland as cited by the Department of Health (DOH) within their report of Adult Safeguarding within a Human Rights Framework in NI (DoH,2020). Dr O’Neill is currently co-Investigator on the ‘My Home Life’ research translation project NI.