Pride Lounge

The Pitch

Problem statement

LGBTIQ+ people disproportionately experience poverty and homelessness (stats via Stonewall LGBT in Britain Report: Almost one in five LGBT people (18 per cent) have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives., Almost one in five LGBT people (18%) who were looking for work said they were discriminated against because of their identity while trying to get a job.). LGBTIQ+ people disproportionately experience mental ill health , either as a direct result of or exacerbated by homelessness and poverty ( half of LGBTIQ+ people had experienced depression and three in five had anxiety, one in eight LGBTIQ+ people aged 18-24 had attempted to end their life, and 1/2 of trans people)

Solution

Pride Lounge is a weekly supper group and peer support space for LGBTIQ+ people who have experienced negative treatment due to being LGBTIQ+ people. The group is open to any LGBTIQ+ people who feel they need it, but prioritises those with experience of homelessness and poverty. We do this through providing travel refunds and food - meaning those experiencing homelessness and poverty are more able to attend. Through this group we have been able to provide housing advice, our rent and deposit scheme, access to DVA services and reduced the risk of homelessness by being in contact with community members prior to their point of crisis.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

The Outside Project is the UKs first LGBTIQ+ crisis homeless shelter. We also run a DVA refuge and community centre aimed at reducing the risk of homelessness in the LGBTIQ+ community, which has become an epidemic. All groups we provide at the centre are run by identity-responsive staff, the majority of which have lived experience of homelessness and all of who have an in-depth knowledge of homelessness prevention. We were created as a by-and-for project, by LGBTIQ+ homelessness sector professionals. In 2020 we ran our Make Space for Homeless Queers Campaign, which continues today in our campaign for a permanent shelter building and the spaces we create at our community centre.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

72 people

Expected impact

this would provide a meal for 15 people every week for 6 months, plus travel bursaries for people on low income and volunteer travel/expenses for 6 months. This means people would be able to access Pride Lounge who need it most and alleviate mental distress, and access services to prevent homelessness.

Track record

“I am forever grateful to Outside Project for allowing me a safe space to work on my life and ascend upwards.” “My time at the Outside Project was absolutely amazing. I received excellent help from the workers and was always given great advice and guidance even after leaving and there is a real sense of love and care from the team. I also really enjoyed all of the extra group activities as they were new experiences for me, and I loved the natural cohesion of living in an lgbt+ friendly environment” “My deepest thanks and gratitude to the Outside Project team for helping me during my difficult time in my life when I survived a physical and abusive relationship. All the people at the outside project were so friendly and supportive.” Pride Lounge : "I felt stronger knowing that eventually in the worse case scenario you would help me" "This group has been life-saving for me" "an escape from everything happening to me in the outside world"