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) – CEO

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 Devenney (she/her) – Deputy CEO

I have worked for TRP for 10+ years in number of roles within the services department. My current role as Deputy CEO is to oversee and support the Rainbow Project services and staff team. My background throughout my professional career and my volunteering has always been in the community/charity sector, working in various in roles with range of groups/organisations, working with young people aged 3 to working with adults.

I live in rural County Down with my wife, our three fur babies; Lala, O’Toodles and Koda. In my spare time I like to watch football, other sports, reading and doing jig-saw puzzles.

Simon Carmichael (they/them) – Co-Cultural Counselling Manager

My role as Co-Cultural Counselling manager is to oversee the operational and clinical management of The Rainbow Project’s Co-cultural Counselling Team. We aim to deliver counselling to members of the LGBTQIA+ community in Northern Ireland, through a co-cultural model of working with counsellors who are themselves members of the community, ensuring clients feel accepted, understood, and safe to face their issues in an affirmative environment.

My academic background is in psychology, and I come into counselling management from a background of working for a trade union alongside being a counsellor, with an overlapping interest in workplace mental health. I identify as non-binary and transfeminine, and thus know first-hand the struggles our community is facing, as well as the needs our service aims to meet.

Outside of work, I’m an avid reader and gamer, and am currently studying with OU to further develop my skills in counselling and psychology.

Joe Henson (he/him) – Cancer Champions Manager

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.

Amy McRory (she/her) – Youth Engagement and Foyle Centre Manager

I am responsible for leading the Rainbow Youth Project which is a youth led project for LGBTQIA+ young people aged between 12-25 years old, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. Alongside this, I also support in the day to day running of the Foyle LGBTQIA+ Centre.

I work in collaboration with our youth workers to engage with LGBTQIA+ young people across Derry, Strabane and the surrounding areas. As a team, we work to provide safe and affirmative spaces for LGBTQIA+ young people, that are shaped and led by its members.

My background is originally in social work & youth mental health promotion. However, I have worked within the youth sector for over 8 years now specifically with LGBTQIA+ youth services, drug & alcohol and domestic abuse services.

In my spare time, I enjoy curling up with a good book or going for a walk with my fiancée & our dog Tobi, ideally on a beach in Donegal with a coffee in hand.

Alexa Moore (she/her) – Policy, Campaigns and Communications Manager

I’ve been working to advance the rights of LGBTQIA+ communities, and specifically trans communities, since around 2016, starting a youth group for trans people in Newry and going on to co-found TransgenderNI, a trans-led human rights organisation, in 2018, with a keen focus on reforming gender affirming healthcare.

Immediately prior to joining The Rainbow Project as their Policy, Campaigns and Communications Manager I worked in the Human Rights Consortium, researching the impact of Brexit on human rights in Northern Ireland, and resisting rights-regression on the Human Rights Act and asylum seekers.

In my spare(ish) time, I run a bi-weekly Queer Set Dancing class in The MAC, as well as being a full-time cat mum and long-suffering Star Wars fan.

Health and Wellbeing Team

Amanda McGurk (she/her) – Advocacy Coordinator

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.

Eimear Willis (she/her) – Western Health and Wellbeing Officer

I am the Western Health and Wellbeing Officer for The Rainbow Project. I am based in the Foyle LGBT Centre and work on our adult support services alongside my wonderful colleague Mary. 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 wife, cooking with friends or hanging out with the circus.

Leo Lardie (he/him) – Sexual Health Development Officer

I’m responsible for providing rapid HIV & syphilis testing for trans and non-binary individuals or men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with other men. I can also 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 monthly meet-ups for trans, non-binary and intersex people who are aged eighteen and over.

James McGoldrick (he/they) -Training Officer

In my role as Training Officer I coordinate and deliver the different training packages we offer as well as continuously developing these with the aim to always provide a comprehensive and intersectional lens on the authentic experiences of all LGBTQIA+ people in Northern Ireland.

I have a passion for continuous learning and bring this into the training we deliver, there’s always more to learn including on the LGBTQIA+ community even for ourselves as members of this vibrant and ever-evolving community. I also have passions for promoting positive health & wellbeing, uncovering the truths in Queer history and raising consciousness of social awareness issues affecting the local and global LGBTQIA+ communities.

Rainbow Youth Team

Rossa Smallman (he/him) – Youth Worker

I am based in our LGBTQIA+ Centre in Derry, working on our youth-led project: Rainbow Youth! I work with the rest of the Rainbow Youth team to help engage with LGBTQIA+ young people aged 12-25 here in the Derry & Strabane Area.

My passion lies in creative writing; I love everything from writing fantastical stories, crafting deep & expansive worlds, reflecting on myself with character study, and then sharing those with my friends. I spend a lot of my time playing Dungeons & Dragons (or other games) with friends or reading up on history (fictional or non-fictional!)

Xavier Beardwood (they/them) – Youth Worker

I am a youth worker based in our LGBTQIA+ Centre in Derry, working on the youth-led project Rainbow Youth. In my role, I work in collaboration with the Rainbow Youth team to engage with LGBTQIA+ young people aged 12-25 in Derry, Strabane and surrounding areas. Rainbow Youth aims to provide safe and affirmative spaces where young people have opportunities to make friends, have fun and access support and learning.

I have a passion for nature and crafting, spending much of my time outdoors or sewing. I enjoy incorporating these passions into my role where possible.

Counselling Team

Paul Campbell (he/him) – Rainbow Youth Co-Cultural Counsellor

I’m a qualified counsellor registered with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society. I’ve been involved with the Rainbow Project for a number of years before coming on board as the Rainbow Youth counsellor. My background is in student services, mens health and wellbeing aswell as counselling and group facilitation.

Elaine McIvor (she/her) – Co-Cultural Counsellor

I am a qualified Queer Counsellor and accredited member of both BACP and NCPS. I am also an approved tutor for teaching CPCAB Counselling qualifications. I have a particular interest and experience working with neurodiverse clients and extensive knowledge working with suicidal risk. I am a life long learner and will always be seen with my head in a book and enhancing my CPD. My best form of self care is a dip in the open sea water. 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.

Ciara O’Neill (she/her) – Co-Cultural Counsellor

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

I am a Level 5 MBACP member and currently working towards BACP accreditation. In the past, I have been an active volunteer with The Rainbow Project’s Sexual Health and wellbeing team. My professional background is that of health and social care, and I have over 25 years been supporting/caring for vulnerable adults (and early years). Therapeutically, my interest lies in the relationship we may have with ourselves and the opportunity to development and manager a more compassionate relationship with ourselves.

I am a practicing Buddhist for around 16 years as well as a teacher of Hatha yoga and meditation, both of which have influence on my own self nurturing and influence my motivation to provide a safe, empathetic, genuine therapeutic counselling space for others. An individuals autonomy is of core importance to my way of working.

My combined counselling model is person-centred and influenced by psychodynamic and developmental approaches. I hope to provide a genuine and warm space for people to explore themselves freely and safely. I consider myself as having a ‘passion for Compassion’.

Cancer Champions Team

Sinead McGarry (she/her) – 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

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.

Samantha Devlin (she/her) – Cancer Champions Officer

Hi, I’m Samantha. I am one of the Rainbow Project & Macmillan Cancer Support Cancer Champions Project Officers. As a Macmillan Professional, my job involves supporting LGBTQIA+ people in accessing cancer screening and support services as part of the Cancer Champions Project, a first of its kind support service in Northern Ireland.

My background is in Community Youth Work, engaging with service users across divided communities, developing and promoting inclusive cross-community programmes to empower and support people in interface communities to challenge negative stereotypes and promote positive working and inter-personal relationships across community divides.

In my spare time I enjoy playing video games, watching horror movies, and listening to musicals on repeat!

Jade Fleming (she/her) Cancer Champions Officer

I am a Cancer Champions Project Officer, working in partnership with the Rainbow Project and Macmillan Cancer Support. I am based in the Foyle office and my role involves tackling healthcare inequalities and providing inclusive services and tailored support for LGBTQIA+ individuals who have been affected by cancer.

I work with LGBTQIA+ people who are navigating a diagnosis themselves, supporting a close friend or family member living with cancer, those who are unsure how to access cancer screening services and also helping professionals who work in health or social care settings to develop their services to be more LGBTQIA+ inclusive.

Outside of work, I love going to concerts, catching up with friends and going on coffee dates!

Pablo Couvert (he/him) – Cancer Champions Administrative Assistant

I’m the Cancer Champions Admin Assistant at Rainbow in partnership with MacMillan Cancer Trust. I provide administrative and finance support to the organisation, in particular to the Cancer Champions team.
I am relatively new to working in the LGBTQIA+ sector but I have a strong background in the charity and wellbeing sector, having previously worked in the victims’ sector and in youth engagement projects.

I regularly volunteer with refugee groups outside of work, and run the occasional fundraiser. I love the outdoors and taking in the live music scene in Belfast.