Cara-Friend has been serving the LGBTQ+ community in Northern Ireland since 1974. Over 40 years later we are still working in the same area, providing LGBTQ+ youth groups, one-to-one support for individuals, LGBTQ+ awareness training for professionals and volunteers working in a variety of different areas, community development, confidential support and guidance, and the LGBTQ+ Inclusive Schools Programme. We also have a range of resources on this website to help young people, and those supporting young people who are LGBTQ+. Have a look around our website for more information, and feel free to contact us if you have any queries!
WHO WE ARE
LGBTQ+ Youth Groups
We operate LGBTQ+ youth groups for those aged 12-25 in several locations across Northern Ireland. They are fun, safe spaces for LGBTQ+ young people where they can be themselves.
Awareness Training
We offer training for teachers, and all school staff, that will help improve their practice so as to make it more inclusive of, and responsive to, the needs of LGBTQ+ young people within the school community.
ShoutOut Anti-Bullying
ShoutOut workshops are available to all post-primary schools in Northern Ireland. They aim to improve the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people in all our schools by raising awareness among their peers of what it means to be LGBTQ+
One-to-One Support
We offer face-to-face meetings with young people all over N.I to provide support for young people who may be struggling with sexual orientation and/or gender identity, or simply who want to talk to someone.
Professional Guidance
We offer all schools a call-in and email service if they are looking for information, advice or guidance in relation to how best to support a young person. We accept referrals from all over Northern Ireland.
Gay Straight Alliance Support
We have worked with Hazelwood Integrated College, Newtownabbey, and Allen & Overy to develop a toolkit for students who wish to set up an inclusive LGBTQ+ and ally group, known as Gay Straight Alliances within their school.
MORE FROM CARA-FRIEND
We offer support through our different services including LGBT Switchboard NI, Cara-Friend LGBT Youth, Family Ties Project and through our free counselling services.
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Latest Blog Posts
250 Free Training Places Announced
27 Mar 02:47 pmEducating the Educators returns for 2018 with over 250 free places up for grabs in 7 locations...
Belfast LGBT History Festival, ‘OUTing the Past’
9 Jan 03:05 pmCara-Friend are delighted to announce that they are bringing the first ever LGBT History festival in Ireland...
Department of Education Report Finally Published
15 Sep 02:34 pmCara-Friend welcomes the long-awaited DE report into the experiences of LGBT students at post-primary level in Northern...
