Trans charity Mermaids has launched new-look MANGO (Mermaids’ Advocacy Network Group Online), a 12-week week Activism and Advocacy programme for up to 50 trans young people aged between 16 and 19 from across the UK. The aim of MANGO is to empower and upskill them to be the changemakers of tomorrow.
According to Mermaids, “trans youth are spoken about, not heard. That’s something we became acutely aware of through our work with young people, who told us they felt powerless to make change.”
Twenty young trans activists took part in the pilot project, which consisted of weekly online education sessions looking at trans liberation through an intersectional lens.
Feedback from the first cohort of MANGO was positive, and many of the young people who took part have used the skills they developed to take part in various opportunities including talking to MPs about trans issues, delivering a speech at the UN and being part of Mermaids’ first Youth Advisory Panel.
One young person who took part said: “I would recommend MANGO. This group has provided me with an entire network of young adults, who are like me and are each incredibly passionate and talented in what they do. It is the most supportive and welcoming environment. Everyone understands each other and wants to help each other to become better.”
The MANGO pilot was a success but Mermaids wanted to do more to offer similar opportunities to more trans young people, over a longer period, and have an even greater impact.
MANGO is funded by a grant from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
If you are interested in taking part, apply using this form. If you need any support with your application, contact youth@mermaidsuk.org.uk.