The Rainbow Award is designed to bring youth organisation staff and young people on a journey towards recognising, building and achieving a safe and supportive youth service for LGBTQ+ young people.
The Belong To’s Rainbow Award is a holistic approach to LGBTQ+ inclusion in youth organisations that involves the whole community. Over the course of 12-18 months, youth organisations are supported in implementing evidence-based actions across a number of key areas, which research shows improve the wellbeing and safety of LGBTQ+ youth.
Youth Theatre Ireland have started their journey on the Rainbow Awards and will complete the process over the next twelve months. Our efforts are being co-ordinated by Deputy Director Alan King, and Child Safeguarding and Wellbeing Officer Cathal Thornton.
Speaking of the process, Alan had this to say:
“Youth Theatre Ireland has long been a space where young LGBTQ+ people, and leaders, can thrive in a safe, respectful environment, where they are fully supported, seen, heard, and listened to. By taking a whole organisation approach to the Rainbow Awards, we have the opportunity to reflect, review and renew our policies and practices for supporting LGBTQ+ young people. We can celebrate what we do well and dedicate the space and time to improve our services for all our members, staff and stakeholders.”
The Rainbow Award initiative was established in 2023 to support and accredit LGBTQ+ safe and supportive youth organisations. The initiative is based on learnings from the Rainbow Award pilot programme, guidance from youth workers in the National Network of LGBTQ+ youth groups, the latest national and international research on best practice in LGBTQ+ youth work, and Belong To’s experience of LGBTQ+ youth work over the past 20 years.
In January, Niamh Grennan, Development & Training Officer at Belong To came into the office to deliver training to all our staff and members of our Board. She also had the opportunity to informally meet our Soundboard members and got an insight into how we engage with our members.
Niamh adds:
“We are delighted to work with Youth Theatre Ireland as they undertake the Rainbow Award. We have seen the commitment and passion that the staff and board at Youth Theatre Ireland have for inclusion and striving to create a space where young LGBTQ+ people feel seen, valued and supported.”
Youth Theatre Ireland will be sharing our journey with our members and stay tuned for ways that you can get more involved.
Belong To is the national organisation for LGBTQ+ young people in Ireland. Belong To offers youth groups, advice, information, and crisis counselling for LGBTQ+ youth, and supports LGBTQ+ youth groups across Ireland. They also campaign to ensure policy is informed by the voice and experiences of LGBTQ+ young people.
Find out more about the youth groups and all their services here: www.belongto.org
"We are delighted to work with Youth Theatre Ireland as they undertake the Rainbow Award. We have seen the commitment and passion that the staff and board at Youth Theatre Ireland have for inclusion and striving to create a space where young LGBTQ+ people feel seen, valued and supported." Niamh Grennan,(She/Her), Development & Training Officer at Belong To