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.
Upcoming Events
Aug
20
Mon
Cara-Friend LGBT Youth Belfast meets weekly on Mondays for all ages 12-25. All LGBTQ+ young people within that age range are welcome to attend. Monday nights are our workshop nights where youth officers or external facilitators present workshops on a range of issues and topics affecting LGBTQ+ young people.
For more information contact Lee Cullen on lee.cullen@cara-friend.org.uk.
Aug
22
Wed
Cara-Friend LGBT Youth Armagh meets fortnightly in Saints and Scholars Primary School from 7pm-9pm on Wednesdays. The group is open to all LGBTQ+ young people aged 12-25 in the Armagh region.
For further information please contact Jo McParland on joanne.mcparland@cara-friend.org.uk.
Aug
23
Thu
Cara-Friend LGBT Youth Ballymena meets fortnightly in N-Gage Centre from 3.45pm-5.45pm on Thursdays. The group is open to all LGBTQ+ young people aged 12-25 in the Ballymena region.
For further information please contact Jo McParland on joanne.mcparland@cara-friend.org.uk.
Aug
24
Fri
Cara-Friend LGBT Youth Belfast meets on Fridays in the Belfast LGBT Centre from 6pm-9pm. The Friday night drop-in is for LGBTQ+ young people aged 16 and over with an upper age limit of 25. All are welcome, including new members.
For more information contact Lee Cullen on lee.cullen@cara-friend.org.uk
Aug
25
Sat
Cara-Friend will be taking part in the annual Foyle Pride Parade on Saturday, August 25th 2018. We will kick off the day with a community breakfast in the Foyle LGBT Centre, 20 Orla House, Strand Road from 11am! Cara-Friend members from Belfast will join OUT North West in the Parade itself which kicks off at 2pm. All are welcome at the breakfast, and all young people are welcome to march with the Cara-Friend LGBT Youth bloc!
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