YOUR LOCAL CAUSES CONT.

Tell us more about your role and the organisation?

Kate Howarth - I manage Humankind’s LGBT+ North East services. We offer friendly, practical support around gender identity and/or sexual orientation including one-to-one sessions, peer support and activities.

Why is the work that you and the organisation do important?

We offer specialist support to LGBT+ people, who can sometimes feel excluded from mainstream services and who we know benefit from LGBT+ specific services. We also deliver training to professionals and young people to help raise awareness and understanding. This is really important in working towards a genuinelyinclusivesociety.

What difference has your organisation made in your community?

We work to improve LGBT+ young peoples’ confidence, wellbeing and safety, but the best way of describing this is through the words of the people we workwith!

“I never thought I could feel better and improve my mental health in such a short time. The service has helped me with how to cope with stress and anxiety, how to deal with problems, how to be strong and confidentinmyself.”

“Talking through gender identity was more helpful for my mood that anything I have tried before. It brought to light issues that I didn’t realise I had going on and then I was supported to tackle / cope withthese.”

“If I hadn't had the help I would've just kept going downhill. I was already really low; I would've just got lower and lower. It’s brought me back up a lot compared to what it was. It’s helped mymental health.”

“It’s been very helpful to meet other LGBT+ people like me and I’ve been able to make friends and talk about things I might not normally be able to.”

“[The service] is really helpful. They’ really understanding and supportive.”

How did it feel when you found out you’d been nominated to be one of Co-op’s local causes?

Fantastic – one of our other services has been a Co-op local cause in the past and found it such a positive experience. It’s a great opportunity to not only raise funds but also raise awareness ofour service.

How can people support or get involved with your organisation?

Check us outonline: humankindcharity.org.uk/service/lgbt