Services and Support for LGBT Young people in Sandwell

1. Services and Support for LGBT Young people in Sandwell In June 2005 the Equality and Diversity Scrutiny panel, Chaired by Councillor Maureen Whitehouse, decided to undertake a review to answer the following question: �What services and support are available, and should be available, for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual/Transgender (LGBT) Young People living in Sandwell�

2. Services and Support for LGBT Young people in Sandwell Young people from Sandwell�s Youth Parliament worked with the Scrutiny panel to look at these issues, attending panel meetings, workshops and making visits to other service providers. The young people�s input was invaluable, and the panel members welcomed their views and actively listened to their ideas. 2 of these young people are still involved in this work

3. Services and Support for LGBT Young people in Sandwell The recommendations were published in April 2006, and the young people Chaired a seminar in June 2006 to establish the commitment and actions from relevant agencies to develop a way forward. Michael Cashman M.E.P was a key note speaker at the seminar, and spoke passionately about the need to invest in LGBT young people through the provision of services

4. Services and Support for LGBT Young people in Sandwell The key service recommendations of the Scrutiny panel were: To establish an LGBT youth group To establish a telephone help line for LGBT young people To establish an LGBT Youth Forum

5. Services and Support for LGBT Young people in Sandwell The Youth Forum was formed in October 2006, and one of the founding members is now the Chair of the group. They decided to call themselves shOUT, with the strap line �shOUT out, be loud and proud in Sandwell�

6. Services and Support for LGBT Young people in Sandwell Terms of reference for the group have been developed, and include the following: The group is open to any young person aged 11-25 years who is interested in developing work to support LGBT young people in Sandwell. We make no assumptions about anyone�s sexuality in the group, and welcome anyone who genuinely wants to support this work.

7. Services and Support for LGBT Young people in Sandwell The group agreed that one of the major projects should be around anti-homophobic bullying and over the past 3 years have achieved the following: In the summer of 2007 they ran an anti-homophobic bullying campaign, with messages on the side of buses and on bus tickets across Sandwell. This was funded through the Youth Opportunity Fund

8. Services and Support for LGBT Young people in Sandwell

9. Services and Support for LGBT Young people in Sandwell In November 2007 they ran anti-homophobic bullying workshops for school staff at Sandwell�s first Anti -Bullying conference

10. Services and Support for LGBT Young people in Sandwell In November 2008 members of the group started to train school staff around dealing with homophobic bullying using a DVD workshop, which they produced themselves. So far 72 staff have trained, and this DVD workshop is still available, so we can reach more staff working with young people.

11. Services and Support for LGBT Young people in Sandwell The shOUT group has also been involved in Sandwell�s LGBT History month celebrations over the last 2 years In February 2009 the theme was �Ancient LGBT History� and the young people hosted a costume event at the Public

12. Services and Support for LGBT Young people in Sandwell The group have also attended Stonewall�s National Youth Conference for the last 2 years, and 3 members are involved in a national campaign shOUT have also had a stall at Birmingham Pride for the last 2 years, and a stall at a Wolverhampton Health and Wellbeing event this year

13. Services and Support for LGBT Young people in Sandwell Members of the group have also spoken at a West Midlands LGBT Consortium event, as well as Sandwell�s LGBT History staff conference In between all of this work the group have also found the time to go on a residential to Manchester, and host many social events

14. Services and Support for LGBT Young people in Sandwell The benefits to young LGBT people in Sandwell of all this work are: To reduce the isolation felt by LGBT young people To give LGBT young people living in Sandwell a voice, and access to equality. To help to create an environment for young people in Sandwell where homophobic bullying wont be tolerated To develop somewhere for LGBT young people to go to seek help and advice