Brighton LGBT+ projects receive five-year Big Lottery funding

MindOut and Allsorts launch LGBTQ advocacy service with five-year Big Lottery funding.

MindOut the LGBTQ mental health service run by LGBTQ people for LGBTQ people and Allsorts Youth Project have launched an advocacy service for LGBTQ people aged 16 to 25 (Allsorts) and 18 upwards (MindOut) with a grant of £389,599 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Help through Crisis fund. The grant will fund the project for five years helping the two Brighton-based charities to provide an urgent needs service to help LGBTQ people facing financial, housing and other problems.

At MindOut a full-time advocacy worker Emma Crossland offers a flexible chat service during the day and out of hours and at the weekends, where necessary, backed up with an instant online chat service, peer support and group work to try and prevent further crises.

MindOut CEO Helen Jones, said: “We were the only charities in the South East to receive funding from Help Through Crisis.”

“The grant was made in recognition of the rising economic hardship and inequality facing members of the LGBTQ community in our city, and we are very grateful to the Big Lottery Fund for its support. Part of our contribution to the partnership is helping Allsorts develop its advocacy work.”

Former primary school teacher Liam O’Hare, who works 21 hours a week, is providing the Allsorts element of the service. He offers advice and support on a wide a range of subjects including housing, money, health issues and social services.

“It is a critical service that provides support for young people, many of them vulnerable and making the transition from school to work,” says Liam who has been in post for a month. “I have been speaking to young service users to learn from their experiences and to inform my work.”