Write a commentAfter five years in Hill Street in Newry, Newry Rainbow Community have moved premises to 28a Monaghan Street and are working on refurbishing their new centre.
A project application has successfully made it through an initial sift in the AVIVA Coimmunity Fund awards.
The projects aim is to renovate and refurbish their new premises on Monaghan Street to create a lgb&t Health & Wellbeing Centre
The AVIVA awards are now subject to a public vote and the NRC are asking everyone to cast their vote for the project at https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/Project/View/429
It's easiest to vote via the Facebook link, but if you're not on fb please take the time to register and this gives you ten votes to cast for the NRC project.
Commenting on the competition NRC Secretary Damian McKevitt said "This project is to refurbish and renovate the Newry LGB&T Centre so that we can comprehensively address the heath & wellbeing needs of the lgb&t community through the provision of dedicated, safe spaces for lgb&t people to meet and socialise with other lgb&t people and to avail of appropriate support services. Programmes, supports and activities will address issues of isolation, self esteem and confidence that can impact on the health, physical and emotional wellbeing, life opportunities and equality of lgb&t people.
"This project will extensively refurbish a LGB&T drop-in, information & Resource Centre in Newry City expanding the services, supports and programmes delivered through it utilising the availability of substantial extra space as a result of re-location. Resources will be used to refurbish, equip and modernise accommodation in a new location on a more secure lease which will allow us to consolidate our existing services and supports to the lgb&t community and to also expand those services in terms of impact and quality of service and development of a range of new services and programmes aimed at addressing the health & wellbeing of lgb&t people and their families and friends."
It is planned that the enhanced facilities would specifically provide:
• A dedicated training & development space in the new Centre to deliver Personal Development courses in a new Conference suite.
• A counselling / interview space to delivery focused one-to-one co-cultural counselling. Space will also be used for scoping interviews in respect of sign-posting and referral services.
• A welcoming reception / resource & information area.
• A dedicated social event space for the delivery of regular events that will provide a dedicated safe space for lgb&t people to meet and socialise with other lgb&t people.
