Meet the Team: Joanna – Digital Executive

Meet Joanna, Digital Executive at MACS. Since joining the team in October 2024, Joanna has been helping to tell the stories behind MACS, raising awareness of youth homelessness, celebrating the achievements of young people and staff, and ensuring more people know where to turn for support.

With a background in radio and a passion for storytelling, she believes every story has the power to inform, inspire and make a difference.

1. Can you tell us a little bit about your role at MACS and how long you’ve been here?

I’m the Digital Executive at MACS and I’ve been part of the team since October 2024. My background is in radio and PR, and I have always loved talking to people, hearing their stories and creating content.

My role is all about sharing the work happening across our services, whether that’s through social media, our website, photography, video or storytelling. I help raise awareness of MACS, celebrate the achievements of our young people and staff, and make sure more people know where to turn for support.

2. What does a typical day look like in your role?

No two days are ever the same. One day I might be interviewing staff, meeting a young person, attending an event or creating content for social media, and the next I could be updating the website, writing a press release or planning a campaign.

3. What do you enjoy most about working at MACS?

Although I don’t work directly with young people, I feel privileged to hear about their journeys. Time and time again, I’m struck by the resilience they have shown and everything they have achieved despite the challenges they have faced. Being able to help share those stories is one of the most rewarding parts of my role. Those stories are a constant reminder of why the work we do matters.

Before joining, most of my career was in more corporate environments, and I have never worked somewhere that lives its values as much as MACS does. The team is supportive, kind and always willing to help one another, and that same compassion is reflected in the way colleagues support children and young people every day. It’s a place where people genuinely care, and I think that’s what makes MACS so special.

4. Can you share a memorable experience or success story from your time at MACS?

One of the highlights for me was organising our annual MACS Sleep Out. Seeing so many people come together and raise more than £20,000 to support children and young people across Northern Ireland was amazing.

5. What’s something you wish more people understood about the work at MACS?

I think many people still don’t realise the breadth of support MACS provides. While we are Northern Ireland’s only youth specific  homelessness charity, our work goes far beyond providing a roof over a young person’s head.

We support children and young people at different stages of their lives through a wide range of services, from early intervention and emotional wellbeing support to school-based programmes, supported housing, floating support, shared tenancies and prison resettlement. Whatever challenges a young person is facing, our aim is to provide the right support at the right time.

What stands out to me most is how joined-up that support is. Our teams work closely with young people during some of the most challenging periods of their lives, building trusted relationships and providing practical and emotional support that can have a lasting impact. It’s not just about responding to a crisis, it’s about helping young people move forward with confidence and independence.

7. Why do you think the service you provide is so important for young people?

My work plays an important role in helping MACS reach the people who need us most. For many people, our website or social media is their first introduction to our services. If someone recognises the signs that a young person needs support, learns more about youth homelessness or feels encouraged to reach out, then we have helped remove one barrier to accessing support.

It’s also about helping MACS grow. By sharing the impact of our work, we can build relationships with corporate partners, encourage fundraising, attract new staff and volunteers, and show people what it’s like to work at MACS. All of that helps strengthen the organisation so our frontline teams can continue supporting more children and young people.

8. How do you see MACS making a difference in the lives of young people?

I see the difference every time I speak to colleagues across our services and hear the stories of the young people they have supported. Whether it’s helping someone move into their first home, return to education, find a job or simply feel listened to for the first time in a long time, it’s clear that the support MACS provides can be life changing.

I feel privileged to help share those stories. They not only celebrate the achievements of young people but also help others understand what’s possible with the right support at the right time. My hope is that by sharing them, more young people know they are not alone, more people recognise when someone might need help, and more supporters choose to get involved with MACS.

9. What motivates you to keep doing this work?

I’m motivated by knowing that the work I do can have a ripple effect. A single post might help a young person find support, encourage someone to refer a young person, inspire a company to partner with MACS or help raise funds that allow our services to reach even more children and young people.

10. Is there anything you would like to say to people who might not know about MACS or the services we provide?

I would encourage people to find out more about what MACS does. We support children and young people in many different ways. If you are worried about yourself or someone you know, don’t wait until things reach crisis point. Support is available, and we are here to help.

If you would like to collaborate on a campaign, discuss a media opportunity or explore a partnership, I’d love to hear from you.

📧 joanna.malone@macsni.org