It is with great sadness that we have to advise you of the death of Siobhan Bogues.  Siobhan passed away peacefully at home yesterday (13 May 2015), with her family by her side. She had been suffering from cancer.

Siobhan was widely known and had a professional record that will be a huge loss to the Sector.

She began her career in Social Work in 1983 with the Eastern Health and Social Services Board, before moving to Bryson House.  In 1993 Siobhan became the Director of Care Sector Consultancy before becoming Director of ARC NI from 1999 – 2012.

Throughout the course of her career Siobhan was also a Trustee and Chair of Positive Futures, Chair of the Belfast Group of the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and a Trustee of the Parents Advice Centre. In addition Siobhan was a member of Common Purpose NI, the NI Committee Training Organisation for Personal Social Services and the Steering Committee for the Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability (NI) as well as being Chair of the Learning Disability Expert Working Committee into the Review of Mental Health & Learning Disability.

In recent years Siobhan became founder and Director of the Lighthouse Centre, where she offered yoga classes and meditation support groups. Siobhan was also a Master Usui Reiki practitioner and teacher and offered healing Reiki treatments.

Last year Siobhan was selected as one of three nominees for the ITV’s Lorraine Inspirational Women of the Year Award.

While her passing will be a huge blow to colleagues and friends right across the Sector, our loss does not compare with that of Siobhan’s family. Our sincere sympathies are with them at this sad time.

Siobhan’s funeral will take place on Saturday 16 May at 10.00 am at Saint Therese’s Church, Somerton Road, Belfast, followed by a service at Roselawn Crematorium at 11.30 am.