GLYNI’s Funding!!!!
Hi everyone
Below is the email we received from Youthnet asking us to compile a response. It is going to out to all members, and this will inevitably have impacts across all youth organisations currently in receipt of funding from the Department or other Govt branches.
GLYNI’s regional youth officer is funded by DENI through Youthnet, along with several other projects. This budget is constrained enough without further cuts being made to it. GLYNI also is in recepit of Youth Council of Northern Ireland monies which are paid to Cara-Friend to cover running costs for the rooms we use, as well as rent etc.
If we lose these, or have them reduced, GLYNI’s services to LGBT young people across NI, including supporting our new groups, will be severely affected, and disrupted. Please support us by telling us your views on how you believe GLYNI has helped you or someone you know, and how it is a vital service that needs to be kept at it’s current funding level, or indeed increased. PLEASE!! Thank you, Liamx
Dear Youthnet Member
We are writing to update you on the current funding situation. We are also urgently seeking information in relation to the impact of proposed cuts or potential cuts on respective staffing positions within your organisation.
At this point, none of the Northern Ireland Departmental Budgets for the period 2010 – 2011 have been agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive and in light of the Easter break, the Executive has now gone into recess until 16 April 2010.
The Department of Education along with all other Government Departments in Northern Ireland is unable at this stage to give any guidance on its budget allocation until the global budget has been confirmed.
Please provide the following information:
- Staff positions potentially under threat or already threatened to include role and responsibilities (provide brief description).
- Relevant Funding Stream(s).
- Relevant Department/ Government Agent from which funding is received.
Please treat this as a matter of priority. Thank you
We look forward to hearing from you.
Linda Gordon on behalf of Denis Palmer, Director, Youthnet
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is a part of Cara-Friend 
Thursday, April 1st 2010 at 13:27 |
We need monies! I am in uni so can’t put a full comment right now but come on guys – leave your reasons why GLYNI needs money! Think of all the programs we would like to run, but without money we can’t. Think of the residentials, which all need money. Think of our beautiful room and PS3 and Wii, without money we will have none. And leave your thoughts here.
DO IT!!!! :P
Thursday, April 1st 2010 at 15:28 |
Hey everyone, glyni has been a big part of my life for the last few years. When i started it increased my confidence and exceptance of my sexuality. I have met some amazing people and it really has changed my life. We need the monies i am on a break from work but i will be posting a longer story later, please guys we need everyone to know how important glyni is
Thursday, April 1st 2010 at 16:01 |
Just like to echo whats already been said – I know money is tight in the group as it is. In my experience GLYNI has been great for me in terms of making friends, becoming involved with the community, giving me confidence etc. So in that respect GLYNI has been a vital service to me and I’m sure that’s true for practically everyone.
If this is to continue and we try to implement some of our ideas – like tackling the bullying in schools etc then clearly it is important that we get our funding!
Thursday, April 1st 2010 at 16:59 |
Where do I start?
- can’t comment on workshops but I know they’re a useful, vital part of GLYNI; thinking of starting to attend a few, and the more funding we have, the more workshops can be run.
- Friday night drop-ins are just brilliant. They’re a great way to socialise with other young people, they’re a lot of fun and they also provide a safe, supportive place to go if I’d had a difficult week at school.
- Peer Education training has been a really good opportunity to get involved.
- Residentials – great fun, and a great chance to meet other LGBT young people all over Ireland; last year in Corrymeela was lovely, really helped with feelings of isolation.
- Liam really listens to everyone in the group and takes opinions on board; GLYNI is run by its members and Liam works hard towards the group’s goals so that we get the best out of everything.
I’m not being dramatic, I don’t know what kind of place I’d be in now if I hadn’t started coming to GLYNI. Especially with GLYNI now starting new groups in rural areas, funding is important to provide vital services to young people who might otherwise feel isolated.
Thursday, April 1st 2010 at 19:45 |
I have only been with you a few weeks now but i have seen how much GLYNI means to you all and how much you all get out of the group. A budget cut would prevent the group from going any further and reaching the full potential that you, the group have. Every one of you have worked too hard on creating the fantastic organization to let it crumble, so get commenting.
Thursday, April 1st 2010 at 21:45 |
After moving to university in Belfast, from the Armagh, I was so lonely. I had moved away from all my friends and was struggling with my self confidence and sexuality. I had made the decision to move away from home, due to the distinct lack of LGBT services in my area.
Five years later I am a young confident woman, who is secure in my sexuality and with so many friends. I have also gained experiences i would never had if it wasn’t for GLYNI.
i have been to Glasgow meeting other LGBT groups, I helped organise residentials and also completed various training courses, that have helped me establish the type of career I want in the future.
I think this organisation requires to keep the funding and probably need more to help other young people, come to terms with their sexuality, meet like minded people, but more importantly build lasting memories and experiences.
If the group was to lose the youth worker, I do not think it could function. I think it requires the dedication and determination, which the existing youth worker gives to the group. Someone who has been there through the years, who knows what works and what doesn’t.
So therefore I feel, if the funding was cut for this vital group, future young LGBT people would suffer significantly.
Monday, April 5th 2010 at 03:10 |
Hey,
Four hours, two days a week, doesn’t sound much does it? But for me, and many other LGBT kids like myself living in rural areas, it means so much more. People always say Ireland has moved forward with LGBT rights, and things are getting better, what they mean to say is, things “in belfast” are moving forward, for us living in rural areas, with lack of education and resources on LGBT rights, it brings with it arrogant and negative attitudes, and for many LGBT kids living in these rural areas, it makes coming out a lot harder, and when they come out, it means loosing friends, it means walking to school, dreading every step, it means that the friend that used to hold your hand whenever you felt down, is now using that hand to beat you to the ground, its a world of isolation, 45, 50 miles away from belfast and living two different worlds, i moved away to belfast for a “new life” i had nothing left in my town, i go home to see mum in my hometown, she says i look different healthier, like her son again, and thats because of GLYNI, seeing people like me, im no longer ashamed of myself, i finally realise im doing the right thing, and as I look across some of the members of GLNYI, i see youngsters,AND im happy for them, for they have what I didn’t, they have support, advice, and the courage to believe in themselves, at their age, i was sitting in my room, alone, crying, hating myself, not understanding, not having GLNYI, means theres a lot more kids sitting at home, crying, feeling ashamed, not educating schools and those in rural areas means, no understanding, and negative attitudes,and beatings, everyone in GLNYI has their own story, but the fact is where together, united, making new friends, learning from each other, and most of all being HAPPY. Yes, four hours, two days, doesn’t seem much, but for the kid alone now at home sitting reading this, ready to move to belfast, or in belfast, too scared, just as i was two years ago, GLNYI, means an chance to live, a new world, somewhere to talk about fears, relationships, and to finally be PROUD and once again HAPPY, for isn’t that what every human being on this earth wants? So I say thank you to GLNYI, for being my support, for being there for other members, and for giving me the chance to meet some of the most decent and extrodinary people, and for giving me my best friends.
Tuesday, April 6th 2010 at 23:34 |
Liam is our son.
I and his mother are very proud of him as we are of our other adult children.
Liam has grown in confidence and maturity over the years and to us it is all down to groups such as Glyni.
Young people can find life unbearable at times and peer pressure can be a killer and is in some cases.
I work for a helpline (confidentiality prevents me saying a lot) and many many young people from all walks of life use this helpline via emails, texting, phone calls and f2f to talk of their anxiety and stress when confronted about life at such a young age. Some may even be suicidal who knows!
Glyni is a safe educational and recreational environment for youths who find that the outside world is a BIG place with uneducated people in it.
Glyni also provides a helpline and is in use daily. Volunteers are on hand to help the new and not so new members cope with every day life and how to come to terms with their sexuality.
As parents we say to those Agencies in charge of funding to Glyni please do not stop the funding. In fact increase it!
To other parents, get behind your son or daughter, neighbours son or daughter, show your support and write in this blog or a letter or email to the relevant agencies for funding Glyni and ask the not to stop or reduce the funding.
To all you youths and no so young members of Glyni, get writing, what are you waiting for?
The funds are helping you, so help yourselves, get cracking!!
William Larmour
Wednesday, April 7th 2010 at 00:14 |
I went all the way through school not knowing who or what i was, my school was close-knit and small and they didn’t cater for LGBT pupils very much, not when i was there anyway. Then I started tech and made some really good friends (i’m a bit of a drama geek)… then i was like “ooohhh, thats alot like me”. It was actually one of the members of Glyni who i was sitting beside looking at this site that got me into being involved.
I started Glyni in summer 08, I love it, it has given me confidence to just go out and just be me, i always had the independence, but not the confidence to even myself out.
Glyni helps everyone in one way or another, even if its like one of those wee insignificant ways to people, it can mean something big to someone else.
So yeah, if our money wasn’t there, they’re would be no group for young people to talk and share experiences. Young people are a new generation, we need groups like this to let people know they’re are people there for them.
Thursday, April 8th 2010 at 12:44 |
glyni helps so many, people do not even have to be a member for it to help. For me personally, glyni has helped me in so many ways,without it i would not have been able to tell friends or family as being a part of glyni you learn that whether gay, lebian, bisexual, or trans, its all normal. It enables you to be yourself knowing your not going to be judged. this can be particallary important if being bullied for others not understanding, whether this is at home, school or the workplace. Not only does it help the young person themselves, family and friends can access help from the website which gives them a greater understanding. without glyni some people would be completly lost as it has gave help to many young people to gain the confidence and come to terms with what they are.
Friday, April 9th 2010 at 10:57 |
When I joined GLYNI, I was 16 and had to lie to my parents to go. As a result of going for a long time, the group gave me the confidence to be assertive and becoming a volunteer there gave me the chance to give something back which resulted in the resource which came about due to some funding. When we launched it, it was highly successful and I went home and left a copy with my mum who reluctantly watched it. However, that night, because of that resource, my parents finally began to understand sexuality and its positivity.
Coming to GLYNI has been great and I always come back, if our funding was not there, the group would effectively close down and that would be a hindrance to the gay community youth, who otherwise have to sneak into gay bars to meet people like them. So, do the right thing, dont cut our funding