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“Support for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people is needed in Inishowen. Young people are realising they are gay on average by the age of 12 but not feeling able to tell other people till they are 19. This is seven years of enforced secrecy which can lead to emotional and mental health problems. Support would help them through this period.” Said David McCartney, Manager of the Rainbow Project in Derry at a recent meeting in Buncrana.
Nearly twenty people heard about a new drop in for LGBT young people called Breakout which meets in Letterkenny every Saturday from 2 – 4pm for young people between the ages of 16 – 23. Breakout has been established by the Donegal Youth Service in association with BeLonG To and the HSE.
“ There is a need for a drop in in Inishowen as some young people cannot get to Letterkenny due to transport or to not being able to tell their parents where they are going” said Martin Keeney, one of the Breakout workers.
The meeting discussed ideas for creating support for example getting information out across Inishowen about services, groups, helplines and websites available North and South, finding ways to help parents to respond appropriately to children who come out and offering workshops on sexual orientation.
A resource list of novels, films, books, DVD’s, music and helpful organisations/websites will be produced and launched in June.
“ There was a great energy and commitment in the room to get something done. It was great to be part of it.” Said David McCartney after the meeting.
For more information about Breakout contact 085 7411607 (Sheena/Marty) or email lgbt@donegalyouthservice.ie.
To contact the Rainbow Project ring: 04871 283030.
To hear more about developments in Inishowen contact Denise/Sean at 074 93 62218.
The overall purpose of the community development programme is to assist groups to respond effectively to the needs that they have identified in their area and to bring about change by combating disadvantage. We do this in a number of ways; by carrying out research into particular needs, by providing small grants to community groups and/or providing information of other sources of funding and by providing relevant training to groups. The Inishowen Development Partnership encourages groups to network with other groups doing similar work and also supports formal networks.
Small grants are made available annually to community groups that have identified projects that will combat disadvantage. A call for applications is published in the local press early in the year and groups may request an application form.
The application form will be made available online when grants are advertised and until the deadline for receipt of applications has passed.
The Inishowen Development Partnership intends to provide training to community and voluntary groups throughout 2009. We are currently working to put together a training package that is responsive to the needs of groups and will make every effort to make training available at a time and place to suit interested groups. Some of the Topics covered in our training programmes include;
The list above is not exhaustive and your group’s needs may not be included. If your group has training needs simply fill in your details below and we will be happy to design a training programme to meet those needs.
John Jackson,
Community Development Officer,
tel: 07493-64108
email: john@inishowen.ie
Denise McCool,
Education/Community Development Officer
tel: 07493-62218
email: denise@inishowen.ie
