Specialist one to one and group support for young people who identify as LGBT+ aged 11- 25 and their parents or carers. The one-to-one and group sessions offer a safe and supportive space for young people to explore their sexual orientation and/ or gender identity, access support and information and meet other young people.
11- 16 LGBT+ Group (Wednesdays 4:30pm- 6:30pm), 16- 25 LGBT+ Group (Wednesdays 7pm- 9pm), Trans* Group (1st Thursday of every month 6pm- 8pm), Parents and Carers group (3rd Thursday of every month 6pm- 8pm). Individual appointments for all services are also available outside of these times.
We have been the only professional service within Bassetlaw providing specialist LGBT+ support for over 7 years. Our activism and campaigning challenging oppression and discrimination, combined with our direct LGBT+ community work, partnerships with regional and national LGBT+ services and involvement within Department of Education and Government Equalities Office projects has led to our organisation being viewed as a centre of expertise and excellence.
Our work has been championed by others and has received numerous awards and commendations; the most recent of which is being included within the Stonewall (national LGBT rights charity) 2017 Best Practice Guide establishing LGBT+ youth provision.
What we have learned from our work and through feedback from beneficiaries accessing our service, external providers and local community surveys has evidenced that there are huge gaps within the current support and provision available for under 16’s, trans specific support and support for families not only within Bassetlaw but within the wider area of Nottinghamshire, excluding the city.
There has been a 70% increase in the number of young trans people accessing our current LGBT+ service over the last 3 years; 80% of these stated that they felt isolated within an LGBT+ group and would benefit from a specific trans group.
We have supported a total of 180 young LGBT+ people during the last 7 years, 98% of these have experienced isolation and exclusion from family/peers, and 76% of these felt this may have been avoided if family support had been available.
A total of 287 members of the LGBT+ community were consulted as part of the research and development for this service. The result of this evidenced that 97% felt under 16's LGBT+ support was a local need and 69% felt they would access/benefit from family support.
It is as a result of these findings that the LGBT+ Service Nottinghamshire was established to offer a range of professional specialist services for young people aged 11-25 who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans (LGBT+) or maybe questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Referrals
Referrals to our service can be made by professionals working with young LGBT+ people or their families. Self-referrals can be made by families and young people over the age of 13.
Referral forms are available on request by contacting Centre Place on 01909 47919 or emailing info@lgbtplusnotts.org.uk.
They can also be downloaded from our website www.lgbtplusnotts.org.uk
Services and support available
Trans* support for young people aged 16-25
Group sessions run on the 1st Thursday of every month from 6pm- 8pm. One to one sessions are available by appointment only each week on Tuesdays from 4-6pm.
The one-to-one and group sessions offer a safe and supportive space to for young trans people to explore their gender identity, access support and information and meet other young trans people.
This service can provide a range of support and information to young trans people including:
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Emotional support
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Counselling one-one or with family
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Referrals to the Tavistock and Portman gender identity clinic (GIC) in London. The only GIC to take patients under the age of 18.
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Information on binders, packing and breast formers
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Deed poll and name changes
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Gender dysphoria
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Medical procedures and surgery
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Coming out
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Transphobia and hate crimes/incidents
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Trans rights and legislation
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Tackling discrimination
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Social support
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Accessing health services
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Support within schools, colleges or employers
Parents and Carers Support
Run on the 3rd Thursday of every month from 6-8pm. This group provides a safe space for parents/carers whose children identify as LGBT+ or maybe questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity. The group enables parents/carers to meet other parents/carers and access a range of information or support and from trained staff.
The group is open to all parents/carers regardless of the age of their child or children. For more information or to arrange a meeting with a member of staff before attending the group please contact us.
LGBT+ Support for young people aged 11-16 & 16-25
We offer confidential one-to-one and group support providing specialist services to young people on a weekly basis.
Weekly group session opening times:
11-16 LGBT+ Group- Wednesdays 4:30pm- 6:30pm
16-25 LGBT+ Group -Worksop Out on Wednesday (WOW), Wednesdays 7-9pm
Additional one-to-one appointments are available outside of these session times.
This service provides a safe and non-judgmental place where young LGBT+ people can be themselves, meet new friends, take part in activities and access specialist support from trained staff on a range of issues including:
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Emotional support,
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Coming out,
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Sexual health advice,
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Hate crime reporting,
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Information on LGBT rights and legislation,
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Tackling discrimination,
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Social support,
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Accessing LGBT+ health services,
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Support with issues in school
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One to one or family counselling.
LGBT+ Counselling Services
Providing professional one-to-one and family counselling services for young people aged 11-25 identifying as LGBT+ or who are questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Our qualified counsellors will work with young people individually or as part of a family unit, giving them the opportunity to express feelings, explore and understand difficulties as well as help and support to try and find ways of managing these more.
Counselling appointments are available at different venues within the Bassetlaw area, however we do not offer counselling sessions within the home. Appointments can be offered at different times and days during the week and limited appointments are available on Saturdays.
Referrals to this service can be made by professionals working with young people or families of young people. Self-referrals can be made by young people over the age of 13. Referrals can be made over the phone on 01909 479191 via email at info@lgbtplusnotts.org.uk or using our messaging service by texting LGBT+ talk to 07538318462.
