Cara-Friend has been serving and empowering the LGBTQIA+ community in Northern Ireland since 1974. We provide:
WHO WE ARE
LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Business Charter
The LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Business Charter is an invaluable training package which enables businesses to address inclusivity, equality and respect within their workplace. The Charter also highlights the need for greater awareness and understanding of LGBTQIA+ issues.
LGBTQIA+ Youth Services
We operate LGBTQIA+ youth groups for those aged 12-25 in several locations across Northern Ireland. They are fun, safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ young people where they can be themselves.
Advocacy, Campaigning, Policy and Volunteering
We advocate for our community, campaign for change, advise on policy, and offer volunteering opportunities for those who wish to get involved.
LGBTQIA+ Awareness Training
This training is for all schools, community groups, businesses and public bodies who wish to increase their awareness of the LGBTQIA+ community and the issues this community faces. This is a great opportunity to discuss language, best practice, and offers a space to ask questions in a safe and constructive environment.
LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Schools’ Charter
The LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Schools’ Charter is an invaluable programme of events, activities and targets which enable schools to address inclusivity, equality and respect within an educational environment. Through proactive measures your school will improve the experience of LGBTQIA+ students, while promoting inclusivity for all.
LGBTQIA+ Switchboard / Helpline
Have you ever had something you need to talk about, perhaps something you need to get off your chest? Maybe you need information relating to your sexual orientation or gender identity? Perhaps you feel isolated, or maybe just want to know that there are other lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans people in the world. Our trained volunteers will provide a listening ear & can help you to explore your options.
LGBTQIA+ Community Development & Events
Cara-Friend is generously funded by Belfast City Council to run our Community Development Project for Belfast. This involves organising community events each year, advocating on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ community for the promotion of inclusivity, communications, training, and exploring the history of the LGBTQIA+ community.
MORE FROM CARA-FRIEND
We offer support through our different services including LGBTQIA+ Switchboard NI, Cara-Friend LGBTQIA+ Youth and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Project.
All of the services we provide are completely confidential.
Latest Blog Posts
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
- Posted by Declan Meehan
- On March 16, 2020
The Cara-Friend offices are currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, our team are working from home and can be contacted by...
Remembering Lyra McKee
- Posted by Declan Meehan
- On April 19, 2019
The LGBTQI+ community has been shocked, saddened and angered to hear of the death of Lyra McKee. She was a beloved and...
Educating the Educators Sessions in 7 Locations
- Posted by Declan Meehan
- On March 1, 2019
Educating the Educators returns to Northern Ireland for Spring 2019. Over the course of March and April we will offer free capacity...
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CARA-FRIEND AWARDED GRANT BY THE NATIONAL LOTTERY HERITAGE FUND TO SAVE AT RISK LGBTQIA+ HERITAGE![]()
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Today, Cara-Friend is announcing a £24,900 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund Northern Ireland for the Founding Cara-Friend: Preserving At Risk LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project. ![]()
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Cara-Friend was formed 50 years ago to provide befriending and support to what is now referred to as the LGBTQIA+ community. Without the funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund the heritage and stories of Cara-Friend’s founding members and volunteers would be at critical risk of loss to time.![]()
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Thanks to Heritage Fund support, the project will preserve at risk LGBTQIA+ heritage through activities including the production of a photographic exhibition, the production of audio-visual story sharing interviews with founding members and establishing volunteers, and a series of intergenerational workshops.![]()
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The project launched with an LGBTQIA+ Heritage Symposium at Queen’s University Belfast on Saturday 12 October, bringing together heritage and academic institutions from Northern Ireland and the USA, as well as LGBTQIA+ community groups, activists and students to promote networking and collaboration in the field of LGBTQIA+ heritage work, whilst recognising the 50 years of activity of Cara-Friend. ![]()
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Materials gathered during the project will be made publicly available and will be provided to the Public Records Office, the Linen Hall, Kent State University and National Museums NI. ![]()
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Cara-Friend’s Director, Steve Williamson, said “This vital project will ensure that at risk heritage about the formation and development of Cara-Friend in the 1970s and 80s, during some of the darkest times for LGBTQIA+ people, will be collected, preserved, exhibited and used for the purposes of education for years to come. This will ensure the story of Cara-Friend’s legacy of activism is not lost to time.”![]()
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Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said:![]()
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“ As Cara-Friend mark their 50th anniversary we are proud to be supporting this important heritage project that records the lived experience of its founding members, volunteers and community from 1974. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, it will be great to see the history of these empowering local people, who have paved the way for social change, shared with the wider community through a photographic exhibition and other activities.”![]()
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Cara-Friend are seeking interviews with volunteers or service users who were involved with the organisation in the 1970s or onwards, anyone interested in contributing to the heritage project can contact Adam Murray at Cara-Friend via adam@cara-friend.org.uk.![]()
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#heritagefundni
