Work with LGBTQ+

Finglas LGBTQ+ Capacity Building Initiative

In 2021, funding was granted under the LGBTQ+ Youth Strategy, an initiative by The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to Barnardos, Better Finglas, Finglas family support, Finglas West Family Resource Centre (FWFRC) alongside Finglas Youth Resource Centre (FYRC). This initiative aimed to build integrated community approaches for supporting families of LGBTQ+ youth.  

As part of the delivery of this initiative, the aim was for Finglas to become more inclusive of LGBTQ+ young people and their families by supporting them, increasing awareness and support and creating a safe and inclusive space for young people and their families. It is also hoped the varied activities which took place will be a starting point to much further work in this area for young people, their families, professionals and the local community.

Community Awareness Training: Two days training took place delivered by BeLonG To in collaboration with FYRC and FWFRC. The focus of the training was to raise awareness in the community and to develop our skills and knowledge working with LGBTQ+ young people, with a particular focus on working directly with their parents. 
Webinar: A webinar to support LGBTQ+ young people, increasing awareness, highlighting challenges the LGBTQ+ community face and the supportive organisations in Ireland was hosted for professionals in the community, young people and parents. There was a total of 35 participants and speakers included BeLonG To, TENI, Insight Matters, a young LGBTQ+ person and a parent. 
Celebration event: A celebration event took place in December 2021 to mark this initiative and celebrate LGBTQ+ within the Finglas community. A video of LGBTQ+ Young People as well as family members raising awareness and providing information by sharing personal stories was shown to attendees.

Information Resource Packs: 60 information and wellness packs for both young people and parents were developed and distributed to the Finglas area.  
Resource library: 27 agencies/organisations that attended the community awareness training received resources (books) in packs in order to increase awareness and highlight challenges LGBTQ+ young people face. Finglas Library, have created a resource library of LGBTQ+ family friendly books to build on representation of different families and to support young LGBTQ+ individuals with information, advice and support.

Hopes for the future

The aim is to build on this initiative and continue the fantastic work that was completed in order to make Finglas a welcoming LGBTQ+ community. A learning network has been established within Finglas consisting of professionals and the following members;  Barnardos (Finglas Family Support, FWFRC), Finglas Youth Resource Centre (FYRC), Dublin City Council (DCC), Tusla- Child and Family Agency, Dublin North West Area Partnership (DNWAP), Finglas & Cabra Drugs Task Force, a young person and a parent  which will continue to promote integrated approaches to support LGBTQ+ youth and their families. As well the planning of service delivery to support and assess any needs which may arise. 

It was really good to have somewhere to go and chat with other parents. All of our children are just amazing young people.

- Parent part of the Parents Support Group  

Don't assume someone else's gender/sexuality without any evidence. If in doubt, just ask.

- Young person part of the network.

Barnardos has been working with families in the Finglas area for over 30 years with services across the early years, teen parents, targeted family support as well as universal services. Established in late 2018, Finglas West Family Resource Centre (FWFRC) is a collaborative project with Barnardos as the lead agency. 