Young DIsabled peoples LGBTQ+ Group

The Pitch

Problem statement

Only half of LGBTQ+ people feel able to be open about their sexual orientation or gender identity in their family. The community support available to them often becomes a lifeline. However, 26% of LGBTQ+ disabled people are discriminated against by the LGBTQ+ community resulting in a greater level of vulnerability - for example 28% of disabled LGBTQ+ have experience homelessness compared to 11% of non-disabled LGBTQ+ people. Young disabled people tell us they want an LGBTQ+ group where they feel safe to explore their thoughts - they want to experience full inclusion so that they can support each other and also influence the wider LGBTQ+ community to better include disabled people.

Solution

The group will meet bi-weekly through out the year and alongside the support for each other will identify priority areas that they want to feed back to the wider community. Initially they will share themes and important topics/learning with: 1) The WECIL youth shadow board (young disabled people that advise and inform the Trustee Board) 2) Freedom Group (young LGBTQ+ people that share their views with the local council and aim for influence services for LGBTQ+ people in Bristol) 3) The Listening Partnership (young disabled people that share their views with the local council and aim for influence services for disabled people in Bristol) Funding will be spent on facilitation & roomhire.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

WECIL is a user led organisation, 80% of our Board of Trustees, 100% of our Members, 100% of our Youth Shadow Board and over 50% of our staff are all disabled people. We have been operating a user led model since 1995 and support about 4000 disabled people each year (advocacy, advice, support) we believe that 'lived experience' is the most valued asset, that enables the organisation and its services to fully respond to the needs of the people that use it. Our service users feel visible, vocal and included and funders recognise our services as a vital part of the support network. Our youth services have grown from 1 participation group in 2005 to 9 different services in 2022.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

300 people

Expected impact

All of the young disabled people that access our services will know there is a safe place where they can share thoughts, explore information about sexuality and/or gender identity and highlight solutions to the challenges they face. Young disabled people will experience a greater level of empowerment in understanding their rights, accessing peer support and having an influence on the wider community inc LGBTQ+ services. LGBTQ+ young people will better understand the unique challenges that LGBTQ+ disabled people face and can consider ways of making their services more inclusive. Young disabled LGBTQ+ people will.. 1) feel more confident in seeking support 2) know what support is available to them and share resources with others 3) Provide consultations with internal and external agencies and influence wider networks 4) gain debating, discussion and coproduction skills 5) feel encouraged by the group to explore their ideas and share potential solutions

Track record

We recently trialled delivery of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme after some of the young people expressed an interest. There were no DofE providers in our locality that specialised in delivering this service - other DofE providers can support 1 or 2 disabled young people as part of a general group but this does not result in the creation of a ‘fully inclusive peer supported’ environment. We ran 2 DofE groups, supporting 12 young disabled people to achieve their Bronze awards. One young person told us “I want to try and get as far as I can on the DofE as a whole. It’s something I can put on my cv and I am determined to try new things now. At WECIL I was more supported towards the DofE whereas if it had been told at school I probably would have taken a leaflet but then not actually have gone through with it because I would have felt confident, I would have been worried about needing extra help - at WECIL I know I am part of a team"