Breakout Sessions
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Breakout Sessions Session One: Session A – Taking control of your own wellbeing through Volunteering and WRAP training, MindWise Room 1 Session B - Nine heads are better than one, Nexus NI Main Room Session C – The only Gay in the village, The Rainbow Project. This room Following coffee break, please make your way to your first session for 11.15am #TFYlearn Together for You – Targeting LGB&/T populations Together for You –Targeting The RainbowLGB&/T Project populations –Promoting the health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexualThe Rainbow and/or Projecttransgender –Promoting people and the healththeir families and wellbeing in Northern of lesbian, Ireland. gay, bisexual and/or transgender people and their families in Northern Ireland. Who are we? Ireland’s largest LGB&/T organisation –2 bases Established in 1994 Official change in September 2012 Charity Commission registered in 2014 Our Vision The Rainbow Project’s vision is of a society free from homophobia, heterosexism and transphobia where all people are recognised as equals. Who are we? Mission Statement The Rainbow Project aims to promote the health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender people and their families in Northern Ireland, as well as those questioning their orientation or gender, through partnership, advocacy and the development and delivery of appropriate support services. Values Our role Sub –contracted partner –LGB&/T intervention • 4 Social and Peer Support groups in areas with limited/no LGB&/T social and peer support • 60 people beneficiaries of one to one support or social support • 6 emotional health and wellbeing workshops for LGB&/T people • 4 personal development programmes for LGB&/T people • 360 total support contacts Our role – Progress • 3/4 groups have been developed so far • 33/60 Beneficiaries so far • 6 Workshops (lower numbers than anticipated so more workshops planned to increase numbers) • 1/4 Personnel development programme completed • Support contacts 240/360 What has worked well? • Building on TRP outreach model • Flexibility and support throughout project (from AMH leads) • Staff support and wider organisational support at TRP • Support from partners in Together For You • Support from external partners (Focus, Youth Action, LGBT Sector, Start 360) • Volunteers taking lead • Standardised referral and evaluations and monitoring • Personal development and workshops evaluations Not as effective • Budget issues (travel) • Self‐sustaining model requiring more time • Local presence not always viable • ‘Hard to reach’ exacerbated in rural areas • Local advertising • Volunteers and capacity in supporting them • Later start to project • Political climate? • Outward referral from LGBT provision • Limited resource to build community capacity • Community Infrastructure Learning gleaned • Regional development for ‘hard to reach’ groups may require more resource and ideally locally based • Travel budget must be significant • Peer connections and promotion are invaluable • Scoping of key local partners in advance • Assertive outreach essential • We don’t refer out much…sorry! Collaboration • Communications reports • Operational meetings • Referral, monitoring and evaluations process • Building partnerships (external and internal) • Core of support through AMH Shared learning? • LGB&/T people as ‘hard to reach’ • Convincing other stakeholders that LGB&/T safe spaces are needed • Late start to project and later for some partners • Engagement/resistance from other stakeholders • LGB&/T health and wellbeing implicitly linked to equality Shared learning enhancement • More understanding on the barriers that exist in rural areas for the LGB&/T community such as location, transport, fears of being outed. • Being able to reach more LGB&/T people and able to give them information on support in their areas or areas that may be closer to them other than Belfast/Foyle. • The opportunity to network and link in with other organisations to provide the best support for the LGB&/T community in the areas we are supporting • How working with other organisaitons and internal referrals are so beneficial for people looking support as they only have to contact one organisation. The Only Gay In The Village??? LGB&/T Peer Social and Support Groups can reduce and or diminish social isolation… Social Isolation can reduce a person's quality of life, which results in people just existing but not living, because of the lack of social contact, separation from social groups and a lack of meaningful relationships. Growing up in a heterosexist society and identifying as LGB&/T is not easy. LGB&/T people are growing up in a society in which they are unable to be their true selves. This causes problems and issues, and a significant problem is social isolation and the impact this has; feeling alone as 'the only gay in the village' with no opportunity to meet other LGB&/T people for social support, friendship and no opportunity to express their sexual orientation and gender identity in an understanding and safe environment. The need for LGB&/T Social and Support Groups Why can LGB&/T become socially isolated? Even though there are laws and legislation in place to protect the LGB&/T community there still is further work to be done within society to dispel prejudice and to end discrimination, homophobic/transphobic abuse and hate crimes towards the LGB&/T community. People are still frightened to come out because of this fear of bias, prejudices, discrimination, homophobic/transphobic abuse or hate crimes or because they may be disowned by their family and friends. Consequently they may stay hidden, and become socially isolated rather than risk rejection by society. LGB&/T people hide their true sexual orientation and or gender identity to fit in with society's heterosexual norms, and as a result can become socially isolated from the LGB&/T community. LGB&/T people can become socially isolated for many reasons; through fear of rejection; because they are socially stigmatised; because of other people's religious beliefs; because of the way they have been brought up, or because they may have been victims of homophobic/transphobic hate incidents/hate crimes. The need for LGB&/T Social and Support Groups People may not come out as LGB&/T because of the barriers they have to face; trepidation of homophobic/transphobic bias, discrimination and bullying, rejection from their family and community. They become invisible; living their life with the pretence they are heterosexual. "Gay children and adolescents are moving silently through our lives ‐ through our homes, our schools and our communities. Very often nothing distinguishes these children from other children and no one knows they are gay" Baker (2002:P8). Individuals who attend LGB&/T Peer Social and Support Groups are in different stages of coming out; (disclosing their sexual orientation is other than heterosexual and or their gender identity is different than the gender they were assigned to at birth). Some people may be out to everyone, other people may only be out to a few people and others might not be out at all. The group is a safe space for people to talk openly about their lives and not feel judged or afraid of who may over hear them talking openly about their lives. And for some people this is the only time they would feel comfortable doing this, they may have to go through their daily lives in at home, work, university, college etc. not talking about their private lives….normalisation of minority experience. Showcase What is your role within the LGBT peer social and support groups? Tasha ‐ I’m the chairwoman of the committee of the LGB&/T group in Omagh, it’s my job to make sure the meetings run smoothly and efficiently. I keep in touch with Nuala from Rainbow regarding the progress of the meetings and for the likes of training. At the actual meetings themselves I’m there with the other founding members to greet people and ensure they settle into the group nicely. They also know that if they have any questions or queries I’m always happy to help. Damian ‐ I am one of the founding members of the Omagh LGB&/T group. I keep in touch with the other members and Nuala to ensure the group meetings are organised and there’s always someone at the premises to help with the meetings. I’m there to provide help and support to all members, old and new. How much do these communities and people need support? Tasha ‐ To try and put a limit on it is just impossible. Especially in the likes of our group in a town where homophobia is still an issue. There is most definitely a great need for our group and the help that we provide. Damian ‐ I think they need a lot of help in different aspects. We can provide social and peer support and ensure that local LGB&/T people have somewhere they can turn to and feel safe. We offer so much personal advice and anything that is out of our hands we can pass them onto The Rainbow Project. Showcase What are the benefits of these groups –how do they help LGBT people? Tasha ‐ Our group in Omagh offers everything from a cup of tea and a chat with likeminded people to training and awareness courses. You’d actually be surprised with what a games night or a movie night can do for people. Just to be in an atmosphere where you feel safe and secure whilst being able to be yourself is extraordinary. These groups are a fantastic way for people to meet others like themselves in their community when they’ve often felt alone. Damian ‐ You’re able to meet other LGB&/T people in your community. You can have a chat with them and be totally honest about who you really are. A lot of people we have encountered within the group aren’t ready to be open about their sexual orientation and they have no one else to turn to, except us.