New Beginnings is an LGBT youth group which caters for 11 to 19 year olds. It launched five years ago to provide a safe space for young people to socialise and learn life skills, as there is little support for this group within other everyday environments.
The challenge
Current evidence shows that lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) young people have a greater risk of suicidal behaviour than their heterosexual peers. It is thought that discrimination and stigma that individuals experience, whether at home, work or school is one of the main reasons behind this. This stigma and discrimination, and the fear of it happening, can prevent individuals from reaching out for help when they need it. This can result in further stress that contributes to higher levels of mental illness, isolation, depression, feelings of victimisation and stressful interpersonal relationships with family, peers and community. As they are forming their identity and self-image, young people are often more affected by the fear and impact of discrimination and rejection. The sense of ‘otherness’ can make young people particularly vulnerable to depression and suicidal thoughts. Sefton Council was keen to tackle this and provide proactive support to a potentially vulnerable group of young people.
The solution
As a high number of the LGBT community can experience mental health issues throughout their journey, frontline workers are supporting vulnerable young people from the LGBT community. This includes work around mental health, keeping safe, focusing on self-esteem and bringing young people out of isolation, while ensuring that the young people are having fun and socialising.
The New Beginnings youth group is centered around mental health awareness work,. New Beginnings offers support to young people through positive activity and engagement to prevent mental health issues deteriorating.
Support has grown and there are now youth group sessions held twice a week in the evenings. Sessions are held in the north and the south of Sefton to ensure the group is accessible to all parts of the community.
As well as supporting young people, parents and carers are also given support as they can sometimes also be confused and scared about how to support young people.
Sefton continues to provide as much support as possible, targeted at those who need help the most and continuing to challenge or educate those who don’t understand the issues facing LGBT young people.
The project has supported schools through raising awareness sessions and these have been well received; they have also trained police cadets and staff to extend their knowledge and understanding.
Theye recently opened a new session to support the north of the borough as it was identified there was a gap and need for support there.
The impact
Many of the young people who attend have had serious mental health issues inhibiting their ability to connect with other people; some have self-harmed and most of them have had self-esteem issues. There has been very positive feedback from young people who have built the confidence to be who they are.
It has been successful in supporting young people who are LGBT – some who are open about themselves and others who are not yet ‘out’ or sure about their sexuality or gender preference.
The group has also supported parents, some of which attend the group and rely on the support offered by New Beginnings. They reported that the group enables them to talk about their experiences.
Awareness sessions have also been held with over 130 young people
How is the new approach being sustained?
Sefton Council has continued to provide support to run these invaluable sessions. Resources can be difficult so they research and obtain these at no cost when and where possiblr, such as through the use of council buildings during the evening times.
Staffing resources have been a challenge so they have used the wider workforce to help support sessions.
The project has the support and encouragement from the young people and families themselves whose attendance and feedback shows that this project is making a difference and is needed in the community.
Lessons learned
There are still professionals out there that are may be uneducated, don’t understand or feel unable to support the LGBT community and we know there is a need for more education and learning around the LGBT community. The team is continuing to educate professionals as they go along.
The project is trying to address this by delivering awareness raising sessions to schools to enable them to understand these issues and offer support.
Bright Futures
Helping children and young people to fulfil their potential is a key ambition of all councils, but our children’s services are under increasing pressure.
Bright Futures is our call for fully funded children's services.