A Year of Impact for LGBTQ+ young people in Hampshire and the IOW

Breakout Youth support young people (YP) in Hampshire and IOW aged 11-25 and identify as LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender) or YP questioning their sexual and/or gender identity.

Our aim is to improve marginalised LGBTQ+ YP’s emotional and mental wellbeing and engagement in their local communities, overcome challenges and remove barriers they may experience. We do this by providing safe, confidential spaces for YP to explore their identities, meet peers, make friends, build a community and network of support while developing life skills. We support YP to identify and overcome their barriers and reach their potential.

We do this by delivering weekly 6 ‘in person’ youth groups, and a virtual youth group. We offer 1:1 support for YP, deliver LGBTQ+ Awareness training to YP, parents and professionals. We facilitate additional activity sessions for YP each year (eg: trips to Activity Centres, theatre, Oceanariums, art exhibitions). The youth groups have themed workshops, to encourage YP have a sustained program of learning and connection for their transition to adulthood.

We deliver events to celebrate LGBTQ+ YP, events such as our annual Pride Prom and our ‘Unchartered territory’ art exhibition. We work to ensure LGBTQ+ YP have access to the space so they can be YP; enabling LGBTQ+ YP to go on a journey in a safe space with trusted adults, to figure out who they are, have fun; celebrating their differences and the things that bring them together.