A NEW COMMUNITY SPACE // THE RAINBOW PROJECT

The Rainbow Project launches new community space in the heart of the city's 'LGBTQIA+ quarter

The Rainbow Project is bringing its support and advocacy services into the heart of the city's "LGBTQIA quarter" with the launch of a new satellite office on Union Street. Right beside the GNI offices here in the city centre.

John O'Doherty, director of the Rainbow Project, said: "For us, it's important to be part of the Queer quarter and putting our services back at the heart of the community".

Speaking at the grand opening John said, “The mission of the Rainbow Project is to promote the health and well-being of LGBTQIA+ people and their families. With the support from some key stakeholders such as Pinsent Masons, IKEA, Public Health Authority and Allstate we can provide more services for the community. The amount of support that we've had from across the business sector, community voluntary sector and statutory sector has been remarkable and I think it's a real indicator of the need for our services.

“The Rainbow Project saw a stark increase in the number of counselling clients during lockdown which made our waiting lists much longer than they had ever been before, but with this support and additional support, we've been able to reduce those waiting lists back down to pre-Covid levels. We are committed to supporting the wider LGBTQIA+ people and their families on their journey to better health and well-being, particularly better mental health. Also, we will be able to provide extra volunteering opportunities and boost awareness and accessibility of its services among the LGBTQIA+ community.

“ We are delighted to have this space open Monday to Friday between 10 am and 5 pm, where anyone can call in to talk about the services we provide and schedule a sexual health appointment. It’s right that the services that we deliver are in the right space, a place where our community socialise and spends time with their friends and families. The Rainbow Project is here to help and support them whenever you need it. “