First things first - we are delighted to have Fingerpost back.

As always has been the case with Fingerpost we have collated a series of eclectic articles from a range of contributors. In this issue we’re looking at leadership.

It is fitting that leadership is the focus of this first issue of our reimagined community magazine. Leadership is an issue that Holywell Trust has examined since its formation in 1988 having developed and delivered innovative courses and approaches to developing new leaders in the community from the Community Leadership Programme and Community Organising and Capacity Building courses in the 1990s to the current Future Leaders programme highlighted in this issue in Fiona Corvan’s article.

Paul Gosling examines political leadership in Northern Ireland based on the conversations from Series 1 of the Forward Together podcast and the ‘Lessons from the Troubles and the Unsettled Peace’ book he recently edited for Holywell.

A Fingerpost issue would not be complete without the thoughts of Eamonn Deane, founder and former editor of Fingerpost. Eamonn takes a look at the qualities that we need in a leader based on a very well-known example.

Both Fergal Barr and Georgia O’Kane express their frustration at our current political leadership from two different perspectives. Fergal remembers the recent past when the future was full of promise and Georgia brings the fresh perspective of youth.

Creative writing will always have a place in a Fingerpost issue and we are delighted to have contributions from Sue Divin, Gemma Harkin and Paul Laughlin.

We hope that you enjoy this first issue, that you will get a chance to listen to the podcast, share with your friends and colleagues and return early in 2021 for Issue 2.