Staff Profiles
The Rainbow Project’s staff team are responsible for the operational delivery of the services and advocacy work. Our dedicated team work hard to meet the needs of LGBTQIA+ people and their families in Northern Ireland.
Leadership Team
Scott Cuthbertson (He/Him): Director
I took over the leadership of the Rainbow Project in June 2023 joining from the Equality Network, a Scottish LGBTQ+ charity, where I was the Development Manager. My background is in community and international development.
In Scotland, as well as leading on development work, I was involved in campaigning for many of the laws that progressed LGBTQ+ equality from Equal Marriage; hate crime laws; adoption rights; and historic pardons. I also campaigned on the issues of LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport, and improving rural & island LGBTQ+ visibility. Internationally, I was a member of the management committee for the Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN) which works to progress LGBTQ+ rights in the Commonwealth, as well as chairing the UK Alliance for Global Equality (UKAGE).
In my spare time I like to travel (over 60 countries to date); swim; and watch sci-fi shows.
Nuala Devenny (She/Her) : Deputy Director
My name is Nuala and I am the Deputy Director with the Rainbow Project. I am responsible for leading the counselling and services team which has a wide variety of services, such as; sexual health, Family Support, Rural Support, LGBTQIA+ Peer & Social Support Groups, delivery of Workshops and Personal Development Programmes. I also co-ordinate the Smoking Cessation Service.
I have a background in Youth Work and Community Development. I live in rural County Down with my Wife, our dog Reilly and our three cats Lala, O’Toodles and Koda. In my spare time I like to watch football and other sports and I love reading and socialising with my family and friends.
Counselling Team
Ciara O'Neill (She/Her): Co -Cultural Counsellor
Hi there, my name is Ciara and I am proud to say the first female staff counsellor on the Rainbow team. I am a fully qualified counsellor and member of the BACP. I am presently working towards completing my Post Grad in Gender and Sexual Diversity Training alongside Pink Therapy. My background includes growing up in a rural environment and coming out as gay and at one stage literally being the only gay in the village. I am grateful to have a lot of experiences working with different organisations and charities including a counselling organisation set up in Mid Ulster (MACP) and Cruse (working with adults and young people). As well as working with the Rainbow Project I also work as a Childline counsellor working with young people and I also work for Lifeline working with clients who are presenting in distress with thoughts of suicide and self-harm.
i thoroughly enjoy my work here at the Rainbow Project and working with clients to empower them to live their lives in how they want to. As well as working face to face counselling clients I also help out with the professional development groups as well which I really enjoy and would strongly recommend them.
Preston Geddis (He/They) : Co-Cultural Counsellor
Hi there, I’m Preston. I am a MBACP a member and currently working towards accreditation. In the past, I have been an active volunteer with The Rainbow Project’s Sexual Health and wellbeing team. I have over 25years of supporting/caring for vulnerable adults (and early years) I identify as queer/Gay (He/They).
I am also a Complementary therapist and practitioner as well as a teacher of Hatha yoga and meditation. My counselling model is psychodynamic and person-centred approaches and I aim to provide a genuine and warm space for people to explore themselves freely and safely.”
Simon Carmichael (They/Them): Family and Young Person Counsellor
I am qualified counsellor and registered member of the BACP and working towards my accreditation. Having previously worked with adults and young people in a local community counselling agency, I particularly value working with young trans and non-binary people. I remember how difficult it was finding my place in the world when the language for people like me didn’t exist, and want to use my clinical and personal experience to enable young trans and non-binary people access therapy without needing to educate their therapist while still trying to figure themselves out. Outside of therapy I am an Officer in a local Trade Union Branch, and an insufferable nerd.
Paul Campbell (He/Him): Co-Cultural Counsellor
My name is Paul and I am a qualified counsellor registered with NCS and a long time volunteer with The Rainbow Project. I am very excited be joining the team in Foyle as the Rainbow Youth Counsellor. I’m hoping to draw on my experiences working in student services, counselling in an agency promoting mens health and well-being and counselling/group facilitator for MIND the mental health charity.
Elaine McIvor (She/Her): Co-Cultural Counsellor
I have been volunteering as a Counsellor for The Rainbow Project for a year and now work as a Sessional Counsellor for the charity. I have worked in other agency settings including a suicide prevention agency and self harm agency. I am a registered member of BACP and have my own private Holistic Counselling practice. As a young child I could often be heard saying that I wanted to save the world but didn’t really know where to start. My lifes journey has enriched me with experiences that have allowed me to empathise with clients and to allow them to be their authentic selves. I may not save the world but I can serve the world to lead a life that helps. I welcome you warmly to The Rainbow Project.
Administration
Health and Wellbeing Team
Eimear Willis (She/Her) – Western Health and Wellbeing Officer
Hi, my name is Eimear and I am the Western Health and Wellbeing Officer for The Rainbow Project. I am based in the Foyle LGBT Centre and manage our adult support services in the North West. We provide peer support groups, social spaces, counselling, workshops & programmes as well as organising events throughout the year. We also assist with Housing, Hate Crime and Benefits as well as any concerns in the workplace or college/university. I provide Rapid HIV & Syphilis testing from our Derry office, and can offer free HPV Self-Sampling packs.
When I’m not in work I’m likely in my van somewhere with my partner, our dogs and our friends or hanging out with the circus.
Leo Lardie (He/Him) – Sexual Health Development Officer
I’m Leo, our sexual health development officer. I’m responsible for providing rapid HIV & syphilis testing at our Belfast & Foyle centres for trans and non-binary individuals or men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with other men. But I can provide rapid testing for anyone regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity if they’re at risk of HIV or they’re in distress about their HIV status. I am here to help you with friendly, non-judgemental and confidential advice or support regarding any sexual health matter whether that’s PEP, PrEP, safer sex materials, testing or STIs. I proudly run ‘BeU’ our online meet-ups for trans, non-binary and intersex people who are aged eighteen and over.
Amanda McGurk (She/Her/Hers) – Hate Crime Coordinator
My name is Amanda, I am a hate crime coordinator for The Rainbow Project. I work with the Hate Crime Advocacy Service (HCAS), which is delivered through an independent
partnership coordinated by Victim Support NI, which includes the Rainbow Project. It is funded by the PSNI and the Department of Justice. My role is to offer a safe and
confidential space to provide support to LGBTQIA+ victims of hate and signal crimes, whether the crime has been reported to the police or not. I have been a part of the ‘Love Equality’ campaign, the campaign for marriage Equality in Northern Ireland.
James McGoldrick (He/They) -Regional Health and Wellbeing Officer
Hi, I’m James and I am both a Western and Regional Health and Wellbeing Officer for The Rainbow Project. Within the Western post I am based in our Foyle Centre supporting our adult services in the North West, these include various social and peer support groups, activities, events, programmes, training and more.
Within the Regional Health and Wellbeing post I work across the areas of Strabane, Omagh and Enniskillen in which we have regional LGBTQIA+ peer social groups known as ‘Queers Outside the City’, these groups meet regularly and allow a safe, comfortable and private space for LGBTQIA+ people to meet others in their community, socialize, share their interests and learn new things.
Outside of work, I’m usually spending time reading, watching tv/films, playing card and board games or chilling with my dog and cat and always learning new things.
Cancer Champions Team
Joe Henson (He/Him) – Cancer Champions Manager
Hi, I’m Joe. My role as Cancer Champions Manager is to lead the team delivering our new pilot project, working with both The Rainbow Project and Macmillan Cancer Support. All of our team work as Macmillan Professionals to support LGBTQIA+ people impacted by cancer in NI, aiming to reduce screening barriers and provide inclusive services that ensure LGBTQIA+ people impacted by cancer can access the tailored support they need.
I am joining this project with almost 10 years of sector experience for charities working to reduce LGBTQIA+ health and social disparities, including for Terrence Higgins Trust, Stonewall Housing, Spectra CIC and Norfolk LGBTQ+ Project.
Outside of work, I might be reading, drawing, at the gym or getting out to the countryside for a break from city life.
Sinead McGarry (She/Her) – Cancer Champions Volunteer Officer
Hi, my name is Sinead and I am the Macmillan Cancer Champions Volunteer Officer. My role is to recruit, train and support volunteers for the Macmillan Cancer Support and Rainbow Project Cancer Champions Project.
I have a background in Biomedical Sciences, Music & the Arts, and have recently moved over from the Regional Health and Wellbeing team. I have also worked in the health and social care, and am passionate about seeing more inclusivity in residential and health and social care settings, especially older LGBTQIA+ people.
Outside of my role I’m a mum, a professional lyricist, songwriter and freelance song writing mentor. Being a North Coaster, a lot of my spare time is spent on the beach, in coffee shops and bookshops.
Amie Martin (They/Them) – Cancer Champions Officer
Hi, I’m Amie. I am a Cancer Champion Support Officer in partnership with The Rainbow Project and Macmillan Cancer Support. I am a Macmillan professional and it’s my job to Promote tailored services which empower and support LGBTQIA+ people impacted by cancer as well as provide a vital link between LGBTQIA+ communities and cancer support in this, the first dedicated LGBTQIA+ cancer support service across Northern Ireland for people affected by cancer.
I work with LGBTQIA+ people living with a cancer diagnosis, supporting a close friend or family member living with cancer, and people unsure how to access screening services for cancer, and help professionals working in health or social care with their LGBTQIA+ inclusion. I want to provide the best and most positive outcome for our service users as well as a safe space for them to feel connected to their community.
When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my partner and our cat, Sage. I also like to watch movies / TV, travelling, being with friends and love singing and performing with my theatre group.