The Rainbow Project Northern Ireland has today announced a new partnership with the North’s second largest utility company, SSE Airtricity.

The partnership will see SSE provide funding to the North’s foremost LGBTQIA+ organization which will be used to secure additional support services for people in Northern Ireland through the creation of a new BAME Health and Wellbeing Officer role.

This new role is being created with the help of SSE Airtricity with the specific aim of supporting BAME communities who are also LGBTQIA+, including asylum seekers and refugees. The Rainbow Project currently runs a group for BAME communities called GEG and do some support for Asylum seekers. The new Wellbeing Officer role will enable the Rainbow Project to extend their reach into the North’s diverse LGBTQ+ communities.

Recruitment for the BAME Health and Wellbeing Officer has begun, and anyone interested in learning more or applying should contact The Rainbow Project Policy Manager Aisling Playford.

Speaking at the partnership launch, Mia Fahey McCarthy, Head of Sustainability, SSE Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the Rainbow Project Northern Ireland, helping them to connect with members of the BAME community and provide them with the supports this community has identified as needing the most.
“The Rainbow Project provides vital services across Northern Ireland, including counselling, advocacy and housing support. The Funding SSE is providing will be put directly into enhanced services for people who need support and we are excited to see where our partnership can develop and grow in the months ahead.”

Aisling Playford, Policy and Advocacy Manager said: “The Rainbow Project is delighted to be launching this partnership with SSE. This will help us to employ a part time worker to be the BAME Health and Wellbeing Officer, this role will help sustain and further develop the Rainbow Project's support for LGBTQIA+ people of colour, black and minority ethnic populations generally which of course includes Irish Travellers, refugees and asylum seekers, international students, migrant workers etc.”

Anyone who wishes to speak to the Rainbow Project, or learn more about what they do, should visit https://www.rainbow-project.org/.