Extern Information

Extern began in Belfast in the mid-1970s, when John Fairleigh and a group of young social workers, probation officers and volunteers came together to support young adults leaving prison. Nearly five decades on, we're an all-island charity working across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, still led by volunteer trustees and still guided by the same belief: every person has unique worth. We work alongside adults, young people, families and children facing crisis, discrimination, difficult personal challenges or inequality, including homelessness, substance use, poor mental health, family breakdown and contact with the justice system. As a trauma-informed organisation, everything we do is guided by five values: safety, choice, collaboration, empowerment and trustworthiness. Our aim is to help people be safe, flourish, feel valued and hopeful, and to make sure their voice is heard, always.