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ALLSORTS REOPENS INDUCTIONS FOR SPECIALIST SERVICES ) Allsorts Youth Project, the Sussex LGBTU+ charity, has reopened inductions for new service users in need of its specialist online services. For children and young people aged 5-25 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or unsure of their gender identity and/or sexual orientation, Allsorts has moved its youth groups, oneto-one emotional support and advocacy services online for the duration of Covid19 lockdown and beyond. Katie Vincent, CEO of Allsorts, said: “We know that this is a very challenging time for many. Being an LGBTU+ child or young person in itself can be a very isolating experience, and we’re aware that, for some, lockdown means being isolated in environments that are not necessarily friendly to LGBTU+ people. Now that our youth services, parents/carers group and inclusion training are well underway online, we are very pleased to announce that we are able to start offering our youth services to children and young people who haven’t attended them before.” Allsorts online services for children and young people provide non-judgemental, safe spaces to connect with other LGBTU+ young people, and feel heard, valued and safe. Group spaces offer a chance to make friends, take part in games and workshops, be supported by peers and trained and experienced LGBTQ+ youth workers, and to be reassured that you are not alone.
SWITCHBOARD LAUNCHES ONLINE LGBTQ+ DISABILITY GROUP SOCIAL ) LGBT Switchboard, the charity for LGBTQ+ people looking for a sense of community, support or information, hosts an LGBTQ+ Disability Group Social on Zoom every Wednesday from 2.30-4pm. This is a friendly space for LGBTQ+ disabled people to connect, chat and feel less alone during these difficult times.
If you'd like to join, email: disability.project@switchboard.org.uk For more info on LGBT Switchboard's LGBTQ+ Disability Group, visit: www.facebook.com/groups/LGBTQDi sabledGroup For more info on LGBT Switchboard, visit: www.switchboard.org.uk
GRIEF MEETS - EXPLORING GRIEF THROUGH CREATIVE WRITING
An Allsorts young person said; “I like having something to go to every week. Seeing the members of staff who are older and have been through what we have is helpful and knowing that you can get through it.” Built on an ethos of peer support and community, Allsorts is inviting children and young people across Sussex and the south east who are LGBTQ+ or unsure of their gender identity and/or sexual orientation to get in touch if they need help and support. To get in touch, just email youth@allsortsyouth.org.uk and one of Allsorts’ friendly LGBTQ+ youth support workers will be in touch. An Allsorts young person said; “Before coming to Allsorts I felt kind of lonely, like there wasn’t really anyone else like me and that I was alone. Since coming here, I’ve made more friends and feel more comfortable in my own identity and how I choose to present to the public, friends, and family.” The establishment of online services at Allsorts has been funded by Sussex Community Foundation. For more info, visit: www.allsortsyouth.org.uk
B&HCC YOUTH SERVICES SURVEY ) Brighton & Hove City Council has launched a survey to hear from young people about what groups, activities or clubs should be provided and where in the city they should be located. The survey, for children and young people in Brighton & Hove aged 11 to 19, or up to 25 years with special educational needs, takes about 10 minutes to complete and ends on June 28. The feedback from the survey will inform recommendations for future services, which will be considered by the council’s Children, Young People and Skills Committee in September. John Allcock, committee chair councillor, said: “We’re committed to delivering high quality youth services in the city, but we can only get this right if we get the views of our young people and act upon what they tell us. We want their views not just about the services they received before the Coronavirus lockdown, but also since the lockdown. We want to know how this has impacted on them and how youth services could help them now and in the future. We are also keen to hear from young people who do not currently attend any groups, activities or clubs.' There will also be online chats young people can join. If you would like to be involved, contact your local youth or group leader or Tracie James at tracie.james@brighton-hove.gov.uk To have your say, visit www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/youth-survey
DINOS ARISTIDOU
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) LGBT Switchboard has announced it will be running a Grief Meets - Exploring Grief through Creative Writing workshop on Zoom with Dinos Aristidou on Monday, June 1 from 6.30pm. Being creative and letting words flow without any judgment or resistance gives us the chance to express ourselves, to navigate through grief and to try to make sense of our experiences. In this online workshop, led by writer Dinos Aristidou, you will learn to use a variety of creative writing exercises and reflective activities to unlock inspiration and provide different perspectives on loss, grief and bereavement. No previous writing experience is required, and participants will be able to share any writing they produce, although this is not mandatory. Dinos Aristidou has written and directed for the stage in the UK and overseas. He is creative learning director for UCAN Productions, working with blind and partially
sighted performers and is working with Birmingham Royal Ballet developing an empowerment programme for young people. His work on reflection, self-care and compassion, brings together his Art of Kindness research and projects at the Bethlem Royal Hospital, with international schools worldwide and with Community Union. He is currently writer and artistic director of the New Writing South Hear Us Out project, a celebration based in the South East of older LGBTQ+ real life stories and creativity. To attend the workshop, email Jackie at grief.encounters@switchboard.org.uk If you’ve not used Zoom before, Switchboard will email you a guide and joining instructions beforehand.
More info on Switchboard, visit: www.switchboard.org.uk
