Cara-Friend LGBTQI+ Youth Residential

Cara-Friend recently organised a residential weekend for young LGBTQI+ people at the East Coast Adventure Centre in Rostrevor. The residential weekend had a focus on good relations and was funded by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, as well as the Education Authority. As well as thirty young people from our Belfast Cara-Friend LGBTQI+ Youth group, we were joined by some of the members of our Cookstown Cara-Friend LGBTQI+ youth group, and a group of young people from the PRISM LGBTQI+ youth group in Armagh.

The young people took part in team-building exercises, as well as outdoor activities like zip-lining and archery, and water sports on Carlingford Lough: kayaking, banana boating and pier-jumping. The weekend, April 8th-10th, was a great opportunity for the young people to get some recreational time away with other LGBTQI+ young people, and to make new friends from outside of their respective areas and communities.

Thanks to all the staff from East Coast Adventure Centre for making our trip so much craic! Also, huge thanks to our staff: Declan, Orla, Lee, Chris and Adam; and volunteers James, Scott and Thomas, for making the residential possible!