The group will run every other Wednesday from the 14th of February 6:30-8:30 and is open to young people aged 14-18

We are not publicly disclosing the location of the group in order to safeguard and protect the confidentiality of our members.

If you would like to attend please register here and select Spectrum – LGBTQ+ youth group from the activities drop down list.

If you have any questions or would like to chat before signing up, please give us
a call or text on 07903425814 or email [email protected]

Please note: If you are under 16 you will need consent from a parent or carer to attend the group. If you have any concerns about a parent or carer knowing your sexuality or gender identity please get in touch and we can discuss how to manage this.

The Spectrum Professional Training Programme launches on the 20th of March with an informative, thought-provoking workshop exploring mental health in LGBTQ+ children & young people.

The full days training is made up of two workshops.
Both workshops need to be attended to complete the training.

Gender Identity Basic Awareness Training

The objective of this workshop is to:

Improve the ability of organisations, teams and individuals who work with the LGBTQ+ community to be aware of the issues faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and to build upon knowledge & understanding.

This workshop will equip participants with:

• Increased awareness of LGBTQ+/ Gender identity and issues
• Ability to discuss LGBTQ+ issues and to understand its complexity
• Confidence to work with people who present as LGBTQ+
• Greater knowledge and understanding of LGBTQ+ issues

LGBTQ+/ Gender Identity Intermediate Mental Health Training

The objective of this workshop is to:

Improve the ability of organisations, teams and individuals who work with the LGBTQ+ community to be aware of the difficulties & mental health issues faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and to build upon knowledge & understanding.

This workshop will equip participants with:

• Increased awareness of LGBTQ+/ Gender identity mental health issues
• Ability to discuss LGBTQ+ mental health issues and to understand it’s complexity
• Confidence to work with people who present as LGBTQ+
• Greater knowledge/understanding LGBTQ+ mental health

To book the training
please click here

The cost of the training is £120.

Why is it needed?

Evidence shows health outcomes are worse for LGBTQ+ people than the general population; with many LGBTQ+ people feeling uncared for (Government Equalities Office, 2018). There is significant evidence by way of national data and statistics highlighting the necessity for LGBTQ+ people to receive better care and for staff to be more understanding of LGBTQ+ needs (PHE, 2017). Compassionate staff training around LGBTQ+ people and their potential vulnerabilities has been shown to impact on the way individual staff members are able to re-evaluate their beliefs and assumptions, which may have previously caused them to have actively avoided treating/working with LGBTQ+ individuals.

About the trainer

The training will be delivered by Dr Jamie Willo, Darzi Fellow and ACP accredited Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist working with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in Children services for over 14 years. Jamie allows participants to experience how it may feel to be in the shoes of an LGBTQ+ person in our society, and highlights the difficulties faced on a day to day basis by LGBTQ+ people. The workshop is a safe, explorative space.

We’ve got big ideas for the Allies Network. Get in touch if you want to be involved.

[email protected]