Northern Ireland

Mental health support funding granted to two Belfast organisations will make a 'huge difference'

Health Minister Robin Swann with Cara McCann, Director of HERe NI and Aisling Twomey, Policy and Advocacy Manager at The Rainbow Project
Health Minister Robin Swann with Cara McCann, Director of HERe NI and Aisling Twomey, Policy and Advocacy Manager at The Rainbow Project Health Minister Robin Swann with Cara McCann, Director of HERe NI and Aisling Twomey, Policy and Advocacy Manager at The Rainbow Project

TWO Belfast organisations have received more than £260,000 from the mental health support fund.

The Rainbow Project and HERe NI will each benefit from the fund, which was established by Health Minister Robin Swann to enable charities and organisations across Northern Ireland to enhance the vital mental health support and help on offer.

Mr Swann said both organisations "provide essential support for LGBTQIA+ people and this grant will help them deliver vital mental health support to those who need it".

"Similar to many other organisations and charities across Northern Ireland, The Rainbow Project and HERe NI have experienced a significant increase in demand for services over the course of the past two years," he said.

Aisling Twomey, policy and advocacy manager at The Rainbow Project, said the investment "couldn’t have come at a more important time".

"The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been felt by communities across the world and the need for mental health support services has never been greater," she said.

"Throughout the last two years, we have seen a substantial increase in the number of clients seeking to access our services and those of our partners".

Cara McCann, director of HERe NI, said the funds would make "a huge difference to the clients that come through our doors every single day".

"Through this funding we will have two additional health advocates and be able to extend counselling hours, as well as provide family and art therapies," she said.