A support group can continue to provide a safe space and advice for members of the North Yorkshire LGBT community with the help of a Broadacres grant.
Northallerton LGBT Social is a support group for all members of the LGBT community in the town and wider communities of Stokesley, Thirsk, Richmond and surrounding towns and villages and is run via York LGBT Forum.
And a £450 grant from Broadacres Housing Association, Community Development Fund is helping to cover the group’s running costs for the rest of the year.
The group meets at the Golden Lion, Northallerton at 6pm on the second Monday of every month providing information, advice and support for members. Group sessions are run in a social manner to enable them to be fully accessible and are also attended by members of local support groups including the NHS mental health team, MESMAC sexual health support and clergy from Northallerton All Saints’ Open Table LGBT network.
Members also provide peer support for one another as well as share details on where to seek additional help with matters relating to GP surgeries, housing and other areas.
Project Lead, CJ Allison, said: “We provide a safe space for connection where people can meet, dress as they wish, relax and support each other and this grant will help us to continue to provide that support.”
CJ added: “As a whole, society is becoming more accepting which is good but there are pockets of extremely toxic hatred and these pockets seem to be getting stronger so there is still a way to go.”
Broadacres’ Community Development Fund supports organisations, groups, and projects in areas where Broadacres has homes, and grants are approved by the Association’s own residents, via a Community Development Fund Panel.
Broadacres resident Jacque Maylon, who is on the Panel, said: “We were delighted to approve funding for this fantastic group which is doing important work supporting members of the LGBT community in our areas.”
Applications for Broadacres’ 2022/23 Community Development Fund are now being accepted and people/organisations can visit www.broadacres.org.uk/customer-area/getting-involved/community-development-fund to find out more.
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