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A new two-year PEACEPLUS programme supporting the LGBTQIA+ community in County Louth and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area has officially launched. The PEACEPLUS LGBTQIA+ Capacity Building and Community Empowerment Programme, delivered by Outcomers, was launched at Wellington Hall in Dundalk earlier this month.
The programme is supported by PEACEPLUS, which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), and combines a community outreach initiative in rural and cross border areas with a public sector awareness and inclusion project aimed at improving understanding of LGBTQIA+ experiences and promoting more inclusive spaces.
Over the next two years, participants in County Louth and Newry, Mourne and Down District will be able to take part in a range of community and cross-border activities designed to promote awareness, understanding and respect for LGBTQIA+ people, and to encourage the building of relationships. These will include peer and social groups, coffee and craic sessions, talks and guest speakers, facilitated discussions exploring issues affecting local communities, and cross-border visits intended to encourage shared learning and strengthen community connections.
As part of the programme, Outcomers and The Rainbow Project will also deliver professional LGBTQIA+ inclusion training for organisations and staff working in the public and voluntary sectors. The training will focus on increasing understanding of LGBTQIA+ experiences, challenging barriers to inclusion, and supporting organisations to develop culturally sensitive and welcoming services.
The launch event was attended by representatives from Louth County Council, The Rainbow Project in Belfast, Louth Local Development, Mid Louth Youth Service, Redeemer Family Resource Centre, community stakeholders and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Those addressing the gathering included Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council Dolores Minogue, Louth County Council Acting Director of Services Joanna Kelly, Outcomers Manager Bernardine Quinn and Outcomers Outreach Facilitator Annie Blake, with a performance from Anthony Kinahan of Quintessence Theatre.
Outcomers Manager Bernardine Quinn said the launch marked an important moment for the organisation. "This is a momentous day, it is fantastic to be working with our colleagues across the border again and we are looking forward to expanding Outcomers services north and south. Exciting times ahead for the LGBTQIA+ community."
The programme is now underway, with a variety of activities and training opportunities planned over the coming months. Anyone interested in taking part can follow Outcomers on Instagram @outcomerslgbt for programme updates, or call Outcomers on 042 932 9816.
Outcomers is a not-for-profit LGBTQIA+ support and befriending service based in Dundalk, serving LGBTQIA+ people, families and communities in Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan since 1996. It has been contracted by Louth County Council to deliver the programme as part of the County Louth PEACEPLUS Action Plan. More information is available at www.seupb.eu/peaceplus.
