This section of the site offers young people information and contact details for the shOUT (LGBT) youth steering group which work towards giving lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people living in Sandwell a voice and access to equality. Information and contact details are also included for other support services that are available in Sandwell.

You will also find information on what we are doing in Sandwell to celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender History Month for February 2008.

Please keep coming back to this section of the website as we will be adding more and more useful information.

ShOUT GROUP

The shOUT (LGBT) youth steering group work towards giving lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people living in Sandwell a voice and access to equality.

The group meet fortnightly, and meetings are Chaired by a young person, elected from the group. The group has been supported by 2 workers, who arrange transport and assist the Chair to put together the agenda.

There is a business section of the meetings, and then a work group session. There are also social sessions built in to the programme every 2 months, as this is an important element of the group. Staff also offer individual support to young people on the group, and have referred young people on to other programmes.

What has the group been doing to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people and/or raise awareness of issues?

A group of young people from shOUT led the first LGBT event in June 2006, and spoke at the follow up event in June 2007.

They also secured funding from the Youth Opportunity Fund for an anti-homophobic bullying bus advertising campaign; this was a priority piece of work for the group. The campaign ran from August to September 2007, but there are still buses with the advert on several bus routes in Sandwell as of January 2008. The campaign carried the message 'Stop Homophobic bullying' and promoted the group. Several young people have joined the group as a result of this campaign, and subsequent articles have appeared in local and national press praising the work of the group.

Young people from shOUT have also been consulted around a Sandwell Homes questionnaire which included questions around sexuality, and have just completed designing a promotional card/leaflet for Head to Head.

The group have written and produced a DVD around homophobic bullying, which was used in workshops at Sandwell's Anti-bullying conference led by young people.

They are currently planning to train learning mentors in Sandwell schools.

IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT MORE CONTACT: Tel:0121 569 8443 or E-mail: shout-lgbt@hotmail.co.uk

USEFUL CONTACTS

SANDWELL

Sarah New, Senior Joint Commissioning Manager (Lead for Sandwell’s Young People’s LGBT Action Plan) on 0121 612 1636.

Helen Williams-Young, Youth Manager on 0121 569 8442 or Pat Dey, Youth Officer on 0121 569 8443.

Saber Ghafoor, Claire Tedstone or Bhevinder Singh at Sandwell College on 0121 556 6000 or 0121 253 6676.

Head To Head
A professional confidential counselling service available to children and young people (5 to 18 years old) living in Sandwell or attending as school or GP within the Borough. We offer young people a space to talk, discuss and think about themselves, in particular how they can effectively manage their feelings and things that are important to them in their lives. Telephone number 0121 612 1803 E-mail: head2head@murrayhall.co.uk

Black Country Connexions
Connexions is a support service for all young people aged 13-19 (up to 25 years old for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities). Through Personal Advisers, Connexions offers information, advice and practical help on a range of issues, including education, employment, work-based learning, housing, health, transport, and free time and money matters. Tel: 0121 502 7504
www.connexions-direct.com

LGBT Lead Personal Advisor: Maggie Bowles on 0121 502 7501 or mbowles@
blackcountryconnexions.co.uk
 
SANDWELL LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL & TRANSGENDER (LGBT) HISTORY MONTH – FEBRUARY 2008

You may or may not be aware that February is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender History Month. Since it’s beginning in 2005, LGBT History month has gone from strength to strength and is now recognised as a British national celebration with events organised across the country.

To demonstrate their commitment to equality & diversity and specifically young people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender, Sandwell Primary Care Trust, Sandwell Council Children & Young Peoples services and their partners across the Children & Young Peoples Trust Partnership have committed funding and joint activity to support LGBT History month throughout February 2008.

Supporting LGBT History month is one of a range of activities identified in the Sandwell Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Young People’s Action Plan.

To celebrate LGBT History month a number of events have been arranged and promotional goodies such as pens, mugs and badges have been given out to professionals to raise awareness of LGBT History month.

In addition Sandwell shOUT young peoples LGBT forum have organised their own event to raise awareness amongst young people.

You may have also noticed the publicity about Sandwell LGBT History month on local buses and the Metro stand at West Bromwich.

Sandwell Making History:

2004 Sandwell report highlights the needs of Sandwell LGBT young people.
2006 Review of services for LGBT young people in Sandwell leads to an action group being set up with the Primary Care Trust, Sandwell M.B.C. and partners.
2006 Sandwell forum for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and transgender young people (shOUT) set up.
2007 Sandwell Children and Young People’s Plan addresses LGBT young people’s needs.
2007 shOUT group implement a bus advertising campaign to stamp out homophobic bullying.
2007 shOUT group produce a DVD around homophobic bullying which is used at Sandwell M.B.C. anti-bullying conference.
2008 Sandwell takes part in LGBT History Month for the first time, which includes special lectures for staff, advertising on the buses and metro stands and the shOUT group hosting a celebratory evening in honour of LGBT History Month Sandwell Making History.

For more information about the LGBT Young People’s Action Plan contact the Commissioning Manager on 0121 612 1742.