City Council-led LGBTQ+ youth groups to re-start at new central venue

LGBTQ+ youth groups will re-launch at a new venue – The George and Dragon, Castle Street Salisbury.

Salisbury City Council’s Communities Team announced that the groups would re-start on Thursday, 13th July, 4.30pm to 6.00pm (ages 11 to 16) and 6.30pm to 8.00pm (ages 16+).

The Salisbury City Council Communities Team-led LGBTQ+ youth group started in February in response to requests from young people in search of a safe and supportive space.

At the centre of these groups, overseen and facilitated by professionally trained staff and supporting volunteers, young people can meet, participate in activities, and chat with us and each other without agenda, or judgement.

So many young people have expressed a need for space independent of home and school which is dedicated to them as they find their way through their thoughts and feelings in relation to their sexuality and sexual orientation and want somewhere safe that they can share them.

The groups will take place at The George and Dragon, Castle Street, Salisbury, welcomed by the management at the pub, but held as a safe space for young people. Families and carers can rest assured no alcohol will be provided and are welcome to accompany their young people to the group to find support together. Supportive allies are also welcome to attend. Soft drinks and snacks will be available.

The groups will run once a month.

A mum of a transitioned daughter told the team: “If a group like this had existed when my daughter was transitioning, we would have welcomed it with open arms.”

When the team asked the community what was needed and what they thought about the idea to create this group a young trans man responded: “That would be perfect, this event [Pride 2022] is great but it will be packed away when it’s finished and then we will be forgotten about for another year – we need it.”

Communities Officers and a team of volunteers are committed to enabling these participant-led groups. During the younger sessions, attendees can engage with activities such as arts, crafts and board games and in the older session members will forge new friendships in a chilled environment with support on hand if requested.

If you are someone with lived experience of the journey as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, or a loved one of someone who is, and feel you can be supportive by giving some time for others finding their way, please contact the Salisbury City Council Communities team about volunteering.

The team involved in this project would ask that if you know a young person who is looking for community and don’t know where to find it, please direct them to this group.