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issues more in-depth. These revealed that the main areas needing action were: • Increased access to timely LGBTQ affirmative mental health support; • Access to safe housing for those in insecure living situations experiencing homo, bi, transphobia and domestic abuse; • Access to improved healthcare for trans and/ or non-binary people; • Support and creativity around LGBTQ+ specific social spaces recognising their protective factor in people’s health and wellbeing; • Access to LGBTQ+ affirmative support around grief, relationships, ageing and disability.
COVID REPORT HIGHLIGHTS LGBTQ+ INEQUALITIES
A crucial Health & Inclusion Project by Switchboard has just been released. Jaq Bayles looks into the results ) Brighton & Hove Switchboard has
conducted a major survey into the impact of Covid-19 on LGBTQ+ people in Brighton & Hove, revealing high levels of depression and isolation, along with drug and alcohol issues. But it also showed a great deal of resilience and support within the community, highlighting how important peer groups and safe spaces are for people who already face inequalities in wider society. Jane Woodhull, Switchboard’s LGBTQ+ engagement officer, is the architect of the Health & Inclusion Report, and says the stories of some of the 595 respondents to the 26 questions posed often made for tough reading. “I asked a lot of open questions encouraging narrative and what I got was loads of people’s stories, which was hard reading sometimes, but what’s depressing is actually that we’ve got this data nationally. I guess it only said what we knew already, so the critical thing for me now is to translate that into some kind of action or influence. “It has to have an impact, and if you think that this is the case in Brighton where
theoretically we are the European gay capital, can you imagine what life is like for a young person in mid-Wales?” The main findings of the report are: • 74% of respondents felt depressed, with 68% of 18-24 year olds and 41% of people of colour considering suicide; • 60% of those under 24 and 40% of trans and/or non-binary people were living in an unsafe living situation; • 68% of LGBTQ+ people felt lonely or isolated. But, on the plus side: • 35% paid closer attention to their mental health; • 34% spent more quality time with their household. Switchboard was commissioned by Brighton & Hove City Council and Brighton & Hove Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to explore the impact of the pandemic on LGBTQ+ communities in order to inform and influence priorities in the ‘recovery period’ and the survey was followed by focus groups exploring
The priority now is to address the concerns presented by the report and try to find ways of responding positively to the needs that have become apparent, and Jane is presenting the report to councillors, commissioners, service users and engagement groups on August 5, hoping some action will follow on. “I am also going to organise some events with commissioners and Brighton & Hove City Council and invite people from LGBTQ+ communities to come to discuss the issues in more detail and jointly find solutions.” She is looking for members of LGBTQ+ communities to help with this and asking people to contact her if they are interested in taking part. She is aware there are going to be “no quick fixes”. To contact Jane (Monday-Thursday), email: jane.woodhull@switchboard.org.uk or telephone 07743734254.
