The Newry Rainbow Community is delighted to announce that we have secured an initial one-year lease on premises in Newry City to establish a dedicated Drop-in, Information, Resource, & Advice Centre from where we can develop and deliver a wide range of projects and services that will address and support the needs of LGBT people.

Committee member Padraig Lynch painting the premises.
The Centre is located at 82a Hill Street, on the first floor above Shooter Property Services – opposite Jack Murphy Jewellers, and will be operational from next week – Wednesday the First of September to be precise!
A dedicated centre will allow us to comprehensively address the needs of the LGBT community through the development and delivery of focused services that will support and develop individuals and our community.
We want to maximise the opportunities that a dedicated Centre now affords us, and by doing that ensure that it is not just a one-year project, but a permanent sustainable resource for LGBT people, and their friends and families.
We believe that the provision of a drop-in, information, resource & advice Centre for LGBT people and their families will make a lasting impact on their lives and their life opportunities.

NRC Chairman Blaine Whitley pours the champagne in the new premises
This will be achieved through increasing the visibility and confidence of LGBT people; promoting the integration and interaction of LGBT people with the wider communities of Newry and surrounding areas; tackling the causes of isolation, discrimination and stigma suffered by LGBT people; providing capacity building and personal development opportunities; providing information and support to LGBT people and their families – particularly those living in isolated rural areas (the location of our Centre is within easy walking distance of Newry’s Bus Depot); providing support and information for those coming to terms with sexual identity and gender issues; the provision of physical and mental health information and support material and through the provision of counselling and suicide and self-harm prevention & awareness information.

NRC Secretary Damian McKevitt outside the new Premises at 82a Hill Street.
Not only will the services and support provided through a dedicated centre be of enormous benefit to LGBT people in terms of promoting equal opportunities but it will also produce positive outcomes for the wider society, and local communities, through building constructive relationships between the wider community and LGBT people; through the promotion of inclusivity, integration, tolerance and cultural diversity and through the promotion of equality and good relations and tackling all manifestations of homophobia and intolerance.
We want to get as many people involved as possible. We want to hear people’s ideas, opinions and suggestions as to the services and support that should be delivered.
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