Every Month, STAND brings you a quick fire Q&A from people who work in NGOs, with government or in community projects. This month we speak to Martha Whyte, who is Manager of the Outhouse, an LGBT Community Resource Centre in Dublin. The space houses a café, a theatre and a library.

Can you tell us a bit about what you do?
I am the manager of Outhouse, a community and resource centre owned by and operating on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) community.  Our mission is to provide a safe space which facilitates and encourages the growth of services and supports to the LGBT community. The Centre provides a ‘safe space’ for people to meet, build friendships, and develop support networks and interest groups within a stated and practiced ethos of respect.  

What do you love most about your job?
Knowing that the Centre makes a real difference to people lives.  I am proud that after 21 years in operation we have maintained a safe and welcoming environment that caters to all ages, sexes, gender identities, sexual orientations, social and educational backgrounds and ethnicities.

What do you dislike most?
That the Centre is not fully accessible and the never ending struggle to fund the services that we provide.

How did you get into this area?
Initially I worked in corporate banking and later fund banking however after a few years I became disillusioned with the banking sector in general.  I took a cut in salary to start off in an administrative role in Outhouse, gained on the job experience and went back to complete a Masters in Leadership and Management in the Community and Voluntary Sector.

What advice would you give to students who want to work in this area?
Volunteer with different organisations within the Voluntary and Community sector to gain experience.  There is no greater asset than on the job experience. People often don’t realise that there are a large range of skills required in the sector.

To learn more about volunteering with the Outhouse, see here for more information.
Photo courtesy of the Outhouse.

 

To read the previous instalment in this series, click here. 

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