What they do:
HERe NI delivers this through:
- Frontline support through peer groups, mentoring, wellbeing programmes, and social connection activities that reduce isolation and build resilience.
- Providing accredited and non-accredited training to organisations across Northern Ireland on sexual orientation, gender identity, inclusive practice, LGBTQIA+ Heritage and Ending Violence Against Women and Girls — promoting equality, respect, and understanding in workplaces and communities.
- Conducting research and policy advocacy to influence change, amplify the voices of LGBTQIA+ women, and shape inclusive policies in areas such as domestic abuse, mental health, and housing. Our latest research on Domestic abuse can be downloaded from our website www.hereni.org
- Developing strategic partnerships with public, community, and academic organisations to improve visibility and access to services.
- Championing equality and safety through new initiatives, such as our accredited Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) training, delivered through an LGBTQIA+ lens.
Through this work, HERe NI continues to build inclusive, resilient communities and strengthen the voice and visibility of LGBTQIA+ women across Northern Ireland.
Success Story: Building Skills and Capacity Through Training
At HERe NI, we are proud of our continued investment in staff and volunteer development. Recently, numerous members of our team successfully completed their TQUK Level 3 Award in Education and Training, enabling them to design and deliver a wider range of high-quality training across Northern Ireland.
This achievement has strengthened our internal capacity, ensuring that our Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Inclusion, Allyship, and Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) programmes can now be delivered by trained facilitators from within our own community. It’s an excellent example of how upskilling and professional development not only enhance individual confidence and leadership but also contribute directly to HERe NI’s sustainability and impact.
Through this success, we continue to grow as a learning organisation - empowering our team to lead, teach, and inspire change.
Why HERe NI joined NICVA
We were motivated to join NICVA because of its vital role in strengthening Northern Ireland’s voluntary and community sector - particularly in championing collaboration, leadership, and sustainability. We recognise how essential collective advocacy and shared learning are in addressing social inequality and ensuring smaller organisations like ours have a strong, unified voice.
NICVA provides an important platform for cross-sector networking, access to expertise, and opportunities to influence policy at a regional level, and to learn from others facing similar challenges in governance, funding, and service delivery.
At HERe NI, we believe in the power of partnership. Working together makes our sector stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to meet the needs of our communities.
How have you benefited from NICVA membership?
Being part of NICVA has been invaluable for HERe NI’s growth and sustainability. Membership has provided us with access to a strong network of peers and partners, enabling collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the voluntary and community sector.
Through NICVA’s funding support and policy updates, we’ve been able to identify new opportunities, strengthen applications, and remain informed about key developments impacting equality and community organisations. The training and governance resources have also supported our team’s professional development, helping us build capacity, improve practice, and embed strong leadership within our organisation.
Importantly, NICVA’s policy and advocacy work has amplified the voice of smaller equality organisations like ours at a strategic level, ensuring LGBTQIA+ inclusion remains visible within wider social policy discussions.
Overall, NICVA membership has helped HERe NI connect, learn, and influence - strengthening our ability to serve LGBTQIA+ women and families across Northern Ireland.
How You Can Support HERe NI
There are lots of ways to support HERe NI and help us continue making a difference for LGBTQIA+ women and their families across Northern Ireland:
- Book their training: Choose from a range of professional courses on inclusion, allyship, and equality.
- Share their work: Follow and share social media posts to help us raise visibility and amplify LGBTQIA+ voices.
- Join their team: Watch for opportunities to join their Board or staff.
- Partner with them: Collaborate on projects that promote inclusion and equality.
Visit HERe NI’s website: HERe NI - A place for Lesbian and Bisexual Women
Follow them on socials: @HERENIcommunity
