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Sign up below to attend our LGBTQIA+ Courage Conversations Workshop facilitated by Birth, Death and Trauma Doula Patricia Lübeck. 

Part of the Courage Conversations series, this workshop offers a supportive space for LGBTQIA+ individuals to explore end-of-life planning with care, creativity, and community. 

It blends education, therapeutic holding, and guided reflection to help participants navigate key aspects of planning – including community support, digital legacy, finances, alternative celebrations, and essential legal considerations like wills and ADRTs. 

While no legal or medical advice is given, this workshop encourages open conversations about life, death, and legacy. Participants will leave with clarity, resources, and a starting point to put their wishes in order. It can be useful for starting to think about and reframing meaning and purpose in our own lives. 

Most importantly, this workshop can be useful for LGBTQIA+ people of all ages (18+) and stages of life. You do not have to be impacted by cancer. This might be the first time you have thought about what End of Life care is, or might mean.

This workshop will be taking place over two online (zoom) sessions: 

 Saturday 2nd May 2026, 12.00–2.30pm 
 Saturday 9th May 2026, 12.00–2.30pm 

These are standalone workshops, meaning you can attend one of them on its own if it aligns more with you, or you can attend both sessions, as they work particularly well together. 

Workshop 1 – Saturday 2nd May: Exploring personal perspectives on life, death, and legacy

The first session is designed to gently ease people into conversations around death, dying, and legacy in a supportive and creative way. Together, participants will reflect on questions such as: What does a “good death” mean to me? What makes me who I am? Where and how will I be remembered or missed? 

This session focuses less on the intimidating practicalities and more on exploring your personal relationship with death, your life, your values, and your wishes. It will also include reflections on preferences around funerals, celebrations of life, and what matters most to you. 

Workshop 2 – Saturday 9th May : Focusing on wills, ADRTs and more technical matters through creative approaches

The second session will build more towards practical planning and actioning wishes discussed in the first workshop – although attendance at Workshop 1 is not required. This session will explore areas such as wills, finances, advance care planning, medical wishes, and ADRTs in a way that feels accessible, creative, and community-focused. 

Participants will continue to engage in guided reflection and creative exercises while gaining clearer understanding of practical end-of-life considerations. 

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Between 2024-25, we’ve reached more people than ever before. From delivering over 1,300 counselling sessions to supporting young people through Rainbow Youth and launching new work like our Cancer Champions programme, this report shows the real difference that support, safety and community can make in people’s lives.

At its heart, this report is about people. It’s about those who trusted us with their stories, and the staff, volunteers and partners who make this work possible every day. It shows how, together, we are not only changing lives, but helping to build a more equal and inclusive society.

As we look ahead, our focus remains clear. We will continue to stand with our community, deliver vital services, and push for the lasting change needed to build a better Northern Ireland for LGBTQIA+ people and their families.

You can view the full report below

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As Simon puts it ‘Visibility helps us find community’

‘It helps us find each other, find role models and other ways of existing in this world’

‘Its a real opportunity for us to show some positive visibility for trans and non-binary people

‘Especially with the current negative rhetoric in the media at the minute’

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It’s something we’ve been working towards for a while, and it comes at a time when the need for support and space in the North West has been steadily growing.

Why this space matters

Over the past few years, more people have been accessing Rainbow services in the Foyle area, particularly through Rainbow Youth, but across all of our work.

Our previous space had reached its limit. It was clear we needed something that could properly support what’s already happening, and what’s still to come.

This new centre gives us that.

What’s here now

The centre brings a range of services together in one place, including sexual health support, counselling, peer support, cancer support, youth services, and wider community programmes.

Just as important as the services is the environment itself.

The aim was to create somewhere people feel comfortable coming into, somewhere open, accessible, and genuinely welcoming, without barriers.

Hearing from people using it

Since opening, it’s been encouraging to hear how people are experiencing the space.

Young people have talked about how it feels more open and easier to be in, particularly for those with sensory needs. Others have mentioned the difference having more room makes, being able to move between spaces, see what’s happening, and take part in more activities.

Those small things add up to a very different experience.

A full circle moment

There’s also something significant about opening this centre in Foyle.

This is where The Rainbow Project began. Now upgrading with a new space reflects how much has changed, not just in the organisation, but in the scale of need and the visibility of LGBTQIA+ communities across the region.

Looking ahead

The new centre includes a number of flexible spaces that can be used in different ways, from support groups and youth work to events, exhibitions, and community gatherings.

To find out more about the centre and venue hire contact us at: studio@rainbow-project.org

The post Launch Of Our New Foyle Centre! appeared first on The Rainbow Project.

It involves a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes, as opposed to a grief support or counselling session.

The objective is to increase awareness around death, help encourage people to make the most of their lives and support individuals who are going through loss or have lost someone.

Why is it important?
Death, dying and bereavement are a part of life, but this is often a taboo subject and can be difficult to talk about.
Death Cafés offer connection, friendship, friendship, kinship. We know from our previous cafe’s that there are things that come up for LGBTQIA+ folks in a safe space around end of life care, complex grief, funerals, partners, family…we are here to share and to listen.

They are a great way to connect with new people who can understand what you’re thinking, feeling and going through. This allows you to validate your own experiences and remind you that you aren’t alone!

Do I need to have come to a Death Café before?

Not at all, everyone LGBTQIA+ is welcome to attend, regardless of your experiences with death, dying and bereavement. You might be curious about the topic, or just want a dedicated space to discuss it.

Who runs the event?

This event will be externally facilitated by Patricia Lübeck, Birth and Death Doula. It is hosted by the Cancer Champions, a partnership pilot project between The Rainbow Project and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The event will be in Derry/ Londonderry, held in new The Rainbow Project centre at Waterloo House, Magazine Street BT48 6HH, in Studio 1 at 6-8pm.

The venue is wheelchair accessible & fitted with accessible toilets, internal lifts, and there are outdoor ramps to gain access to the walls.

Note: This event is strictly for LGBTQIA+ (18+) attendees to ensure that it remains a safe space for service users. 

Tea/coffee provided as well as traybakes/buns/biscuits! Vegan & gluten free options will be available.

Register for free below so we can contact you with any changes or updates to the event.

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Socially conservative political pressures in Northern Ireland have significantly shaped the pace of LGBTQIA+ rights, contributing to delayed reforms. As a result, Northern Ireland was the last part of the UK to decriminalise homosexuality and to legalise same-sex marriage. LGBTQIA+ communities experience disproportionately poorer health outcomes and care. This is particularly evident in mental health: The Rainbow Project’s own survey of more than 1,100 members highlights the scale of the issue, with 39% reporting self-harm, 45% experiencing suicidal ideation and 65% reporting depression.

Scott Cuthbertson, CEO of The Rainbow Project, takes a selfie with the Rainbow Project bloc at Belfast Pride in 2025. Image: Astra Photography NI

Commenting on the award, Scott Cuthbertson, Chief Executive Officer of The Rainbow Project, said: ‘We are delighted to be one of the 10 winners of the 2026 GSK IMPACT Awards. The Rainbow Project is a charity about making change: as LGBTQIA+ people, we know that the status quo does not work for us, so our impact is vitally important to us. We have worked hard to build an organisation that meets the needs of the communities we serve, while standing resilient to the challenges faced in Northern Ireland. We are very much looking forward to the leadership development programme provided by The Kings Fund, to continue to improve our impact in future.’

The post The Rainbow Project named in top 10 UK Charities for ‘GSK Impact Awards’ appeared first on The Rainbow Project.

Through discussion and facilitated activities we will explore ideas and imagine possibilities for a more inclusive housing system for LGBTQIA+ people in Northern Ireland. We want to hear your ideas, perspectives and insights on what inclusion is, what it looks like, and how it feels. 

The focus group is part of a research project which seeks to understand how housing and homelessness support for LGBTQIA+ people can be improved. Engagement in the focus group provides an opportunity to have an impact on developing inclusivity within existing housing support providers, as well as to consider the possibility of introducing LGBTQIA+ specific provisions.

*Please note: The Rainbow Project does not provide housing support services at present. This focus group is a space to explore ideas, and will not be able to provide support or advice.

Who can attend

Anyone from the LGBTQIA+ community, who lives or has lived in Northern Ireland can attend. You do not need experience of housing insecurity or homelessness to take part.

Access needs

Unfortunately this project does not have a budget to accommodate access needs which require additional resources. Nonetheless, we are happy to discuss ways which can facilitate attendance and engagement. If you have sensory needs, require particular seating, require larger print text, additional communication supports, need a support worker to attend or anything else, please feel free to get in touch by emailing hannah@rainbow-project.org, and we will endeavour to meet those accommodations.

The room we will be using is on the sixth floor which is accessible by lift or stairs. There will be a sign at the entrance and a member of staff at the reception desk at the MAC to direct you. The room has a large table and chairs that surround it, please let us know if you are using a wheelchair so that we can accommodate you.

Cancellation

Due to limited capacity, if you are no longer able to make it we ask that you cancel the booking, or email hannah@rainbow-project.org.

If there are no longer spaces available but you are still interested in participating in the research, please get in touch with hannah@rainbow-project.org , particularly if you have lived experiences of housing insecurity or homelessness.

The post Focus Group: Dreaming LGBTQIA+ Housing Provisions appeared first on The Rainbow Project.

The Rainbow Project invites housing and homelessness providers from across Northern Ireland for a workshop to explore how the sector can develop LGBTQIA+ inclusion in service delivery. The session will facilitate discussions for housing providers to reflect on current approaches, share sector expertise and consider practical strategies to develop LGBTQIA+ inclusive practices.

The workshop will be an opportunity to share experiences, barriers and needs with providers across the sector and to discuss what support and preparation housing providers need in developing LGBTQIA+ inclusive practices. Engagement in the workshop will inform recommendations for a research project conducted by The Rainbow Project on LGBTQIA+ inclusion within the housing and homelessness sector in Northern Ireland.

Who can attend

This workshop is for employees within the housing and homelessness sector. We invite participation from managers, frontline staff and staff working in policy, research or strategy roles. We are interested to hear from temporary accommodation providers, housing associations and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. Both statutory and VCSE organisations are invited to join. We welcome organisations with varying levels of experience in supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Aims

Through facilitated discussion and interactive exercises, we will:

• Map current inclusive practices, training, policies, outreach and cultural competence across the sector
• Understand the specific needs, support and competencies organisations require to develop and implement inclusive practices
• Discuss potential strategies and approaches which are viable to implement in the Northern Irish homelessness sector
• Foster dialogue across the sector to develop collaborative approaches to LGBTQIA+ inclusion

Participation

Places are limited so we ask that 1-2 people per organisation participate. If you register but are no longer able to attend, please cancel your ticket so the place can be offered to another organisation. If you would like to learn more information about the research project, or your organisation cannot attend but would like to contribute to the research, please contact:

hannah@rainbow-project.org

Location: The Works, 4th Floor,  The MAC, 10 Exchange Street, Belfast.

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