10th June 2009

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A new training programme designed to help youth workers explore the issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people in Northern Ireland was launched by the Minister for Education, Caitríona Ruane, at the University of Ulster today.

‘OUTstanding Youth Work’ is a two-day training programme developed in partnership by staff from Youthnet, Gay and Lesbian Youth NI, the Rainbow Project, Youth Action NI and Opportunity Youth and supported by Ulster’s Community Youth Work Department. 

The resource is the first of it kind in Northern Ireland and is the only specific training programme for youth workers focusing on LGBT issues.

Speaking at the launch at Ulster’s Jordanstown campus today, Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane said:  “Everyone in our society has basic human rights and I, as Education Minister, take my duty to respect and treat all sections of the community equally very seriously.  The training pack being launched today is an excellent resource and I congratulate Youthnet on the work it has done to develop it.    

“LGBT young people should have access to support and a full range of learning opportunities to help them develop to their full potential.  I am keen to support any resource which gives youth workers the opportunity to understand more about the specific experiences facing all our young people.” 

Liam Larmour, from GLYNI who is also a part-time Community Youth Work student at Ulster, added: “LGBT young people can often face considerable barriers in terms of marginalisation, invisibility and discrimination. They may also face emotional, physical and cultural challenges during the process of coming to terms with their sexual orientation or gender identity.

 "Recent research has highlighted the lack of support available through youth organisations to address the needs of these young people, we hope that this new training programme will go some way to ameliorate the problem.” 

For further information on the OUTstanding Youth Work programme contact Amanda Stephens, Youthnet on: 028 90331880.

 

For further information, please contact:

Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter