YOUR LOCAL CAUSES

By Dan Sayers-Yates

Tell us more about Breakout Youth?

Breakout Youth is a charity supporting LGBTQ+ people between 11 and 25 years old. We provide youth work support via six in-person youth groups across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight every week, as well as a weekly virtual group offer for those unable to attend face-to-face sessions. Alongside our groups, we also provide 1:1 support for young people and parents, advocacy work and training for schools and professionals.

Why is the work you do important?

Young people deserve safe, accessible spaces to explore their identities without judgement, so at Breakout Youth we’re committed to providing these. In the wake of the pandemic, and with the current political and media climate in the UK, we’re witnessing an exponential rise in struggles with mental health and self-esteem within our population of young people. Organisations like ours, and the other amazing LGBTQ+ local causes supported by Co-op, can provide invaluable support to safeguard and empower the membersofourcommunitythatneeditmost.

What difference has Breakout Youth made in your community?

We’ve seen a large increase in referrals coming through, with the number of young people we’ re supporting and more complex caseloads also on the rise. Since 2022, we’ve received 225 referrals and supported 441 young people, with just under 14,000 interactions taking place with those using our services.

Werecently gathered feedbackfromour young people and received heart-warming comments such as “[Breakout Youth] has allowed me to be happier and more comfortable when talking to LGBTQ+ people my age. I’m able to be myself and explore who I am without fear” and “it’s a huge honour being a part of Breakout Youth. Breakout has given me huge selfesteemandhelped mymental health”.

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

It’s wonderful to be recognised in our local community for the work we do! One of our favourite times of the year is our Pride Prom event, which we hold every autumn. This is a voted-upon, themed event where our young people come together. In 2022, Co-op ’s Local Community Fund helped us host our Faerie Garden themed prom for 72 of our young people across the county. It was heartening to have the work we do, above and beyond our standard service, acknowledged.

This year marks Respect’s 15th birthday, why are networks and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people needed?

We need safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people now more than ever. With the rising negativity and discourse that we see in the media, it can be really difficult to feel like we ’re making progress or that our voices are heard. There is strength to be found in community, and organisations like ours and networks like Respect are vital in helping LGBTQ+ people have access to peers, resources, and support.

How can people support or get involved with your organisation?

Youcanfind out more aboutBreakoutYouthby checkingoutour websitehere, or byfollowingour socialmediachannels:

For any further queries, you’realways welcometo contactus byemail:

What else would you like our readers to know?

It’s our 30th Birthday this year and to celebrate we’ re releasing a charity single following work our young people have done with local, queer musicians. It’ll be available to buy/stream later in the year, so keep an eye out on social media for updates and give it a listen whenitcomes out!

We’re proud to say that Co-op has partnered with 13 causes that support the LGBTQ+ community specifically, as part of this years’ Local Community Fund causes. This number has increased slightly on the previous intake, although we’d love if more LGBTQ+ could benefit from the great work we do as a business in ‘Co-operating for a Fairer World’.

With that, we wanted to shine a spotlight on a few of the previous local causes, to highlight the importance of their work and how Co-op has helped them support the LGBTQ+ community. Firstly, we caught up with Stephanie Doyle of Breakout Youth to tell us more organisation?

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

We were delighted to be one of the of Co-op ’s local causes. The co-op is a key part of many of the communities in and around Calderdale. As a local cause this provided a fantastic opportunity for people to find out more about the project and support the campaign.

I am project manager for Mind Your Head, a partnership between Happy Valley Pride and The Brunswick Centre, promoting better mental health and wellbeing for LGBTQ+ communities in Calderdale and beyond.

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

The Mind Your Head campaign was launched during the pandemic as LGBTQ+ people are more likely to have mental health issues yet less likely to seek help. We felt it was important to help raise awareness of some of the mental health issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community and to highlight the range of services that are available, locally, regionally, and nationally.

What difference has your organisation made in your community?

The campaign started with an online panel session in 2020 and has grown considerably since then. We launched an online hub with lots of tools and resources. We have hosted a range of events including guest speakers award winning author Matthew Todd, influencer Alexis Caught, journalist Yaz Necati and many more. We even have our own Podcast with guests including activist Peter Tatchell, and singer HorseMcDonald amongst others.

The project has provided mental health awareness training, online guided relaxation session and even help keep fit classes.  Additionally, we have worked with many local schools and provide access to free counselling. There has been so many ways to get involved and thousands of people have. We have lots more activities and events planned for the rest of 2023.

This year marks Respect’s 15th birthday, why are networks and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people needed?

Campaigns such as Mind Your Head can break down some of the barriers that LGBTQ+ people may face around mental healthchallenges. It is anopportunity to share stories and to engage with the broader community in a unique and interesting way. Organisations such as Happy Valley Pride and The Brunswick Centre working together on projects such as Mind Your Head means we can work directly with the communities we represent and provide a trusted and engagingcampaign.

How can people support or get involved with your organisation?

Simply look at the website, check out the tools and resources and join in one of our events. As part of the Happy Valle Pride festival there will be a Mind Yor Head hub on Saturday 29 July in Hebden Bridge, bringing together lots of organisations that support LGBTQ+ mental health – so pop along and say hello. Or look out for some of our online events that are open to everyone.