Behind Rainbows are a training company based in the south east of England. We specialise in Gender and Sexual Diversity Awareness training. The company was formed by Helanna Bowler-Irvine and Jonathan Calver to address the lack of information and training available to individuals and businesses who work with the public in our increasingly diverse and open society. Helanna and Jo met on the committee of Gravesham Pride and founded the Gravesham Pride Community Interest Company which works to promote diversity and inclusion, supporting the LGBTQIA+ communities in Gravesham, Kent, U.K.
About The Team
Helanna Bowler-Irvine
CEO & Creative Lead
Hilary Cooke
Instructor
Helanna has worked for Medway NHS in a forensic mental health setting for over a decade. She is also the chair of the trust’s LGBTQ+ staff network.
Helanna has been a tireless campaigner for LGBTQ+ equality since her teenage years. She currently provides support & training for various organisations on a voluntary basis and organises activities focusing on providing support for both LGBTQ+ youth and the over 50s. She is the chair of Gravesham Pride CIC and a Medway Pride Committee member and a member of the Independent Police Advisory Group.
Helanna is the lead instructor for Behind Rainbows and is the creative lead behind our course design and content.
Hilary’s career spans a wide range of industries. She is now CEO for both South East Gender Initiative & Medway Gender & Sexual Diversity Centre as well as Chair for Medway Pride Community Organisation.
Hilary has led and developed MGSD Centre’s Trans & Non-binary Awareness Training for organisations across Medway, Kent & the South East.
Her personal knowledge and experience of the trans community gives her first hand insight into the difficulties that can arise for trans people in the workplace. This informs her training and advice to help create understanding and safe working practices for trans and non-binary gender people.
Jonathan Calver
Business Director & CTO
Keely Papworth
Sales Director
Jo has over 20 years experience running successful technical support businesses specialising in education and the creative arts. During this time he has taken on the many management roles required by a business owner.
Jo’s varied skill set is the foundation of our procedures and system design. Jo is responsible for both administration and the systems behind our training courses.
Jo is also the Business Director and Treasurer of Gravesham Pride CIC.
I’m a child of the section 28 generation who came out in my teens at an all girls school… as you can image that did not turn out so well! Experiencing first hand the damage it can do when people are placed in an environment where LGBTQ+ matters are totally taboo I made a promise to myself to never to stay quiet and ashamed again.
Although I am an activist, educator and rebel at heart, first and foremost I will always be a mother and wife.
Talk to me about our fantastic Group Management options.
Rianna Holden
Customer Services Manager
Mike Bowyer
Customer Support Manager
After leaving university Rianna worked as a technical author for some of the most innovative start-ups in UK tech.
Mike is a coder, a fixer a team player who loves getting his hands dirty