Donegal Youth Service has been awarded the Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland’s Rainbow Award at a ceremony at The Clarence Hotel, Dublin 2.
The Letterkenny-based youth service was recognised for its work as part of the Rainbow Award initiative which is dedicated to creating LGBTQ+ inclusive youth services.
The organisation, which includes the BreakOut group supporting LGBTQ+ young people between the ages of 12 and 24 years old with a variety of services, works with over 80 young people.
The event was hosted by newly announced RTÉ 2FM presenter Aisling Bonner and attended by a number of TDs and public sector representatives.
The Rainbow Award initiative was established by Belong To in 2023 to support and accredit LGBTQ+ safe and supportive youth services. Over the course of 12 to 18 months, youth services are supported in implementing evidence-based actions across a number of key areas, which research shows improve the wellbeing and safety of LGBTQ+ youth.
The initiative is supported by ETBI, City of Dublin ETB and the National Youth Council of Ireland.
Speaking about the awards, Deputy CEO of Belong To Sinéad Keane (she/her) said: “There are LGBTQ+ young people in every part of Ireland, including Donegal. As a society, we owe these young people an adolescence that not only accepts their identities but celebrates the diversity of their experiences and lives.
“That is what the Rainbow Award is all about – providing LGBTQ+ young people with a space to feel safe and welcome. Last year, our Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland report showed that 84% of LGBTQ+ people indicated that having a connection with the LGBTQI+ community through groups is one of the most important positive factors for their mental health. This work can have a huge impact on the life and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ young people.
“It is great to have the opportunity to recognise the work of Donegal Youth Service. The team there have done amazing work to make their services inclusive for all young people – and we’re delighted to have been able to support them on that journey. The impact of their work is being felt by the people already in their services and will be felt by the many thousands that will come through their doors in the future.”
Also commenting was Megan Rushe, Aspire Youth Worker at Donegal Youth Service who said: “It’s an absolute privilege for us to receive this reward. Our BreakOut youth group is one of many within the wider Donegal Youth Service family, and – at the risk of sounding slightly biased – one of the very best. The young people who make up the BreakOut project for LGBTQ+ young people are the very best of what Donegal has to offer – clever, bright, funny and above all, kind.
“BreakOut staff would like to express thanks to the ongoing support from our funders, Belong To and the HSE for all their support throughout the process of achieving this award, as well as to the rest of the staff of Donegal Youth Service, whose commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ rights throughout the organisation allows our project to flourish.”
