Covid-19 Support
Free2B is now offering our 1:1 and group services online in order to continue to provide support during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Please click here to access full information
WE PROVIDE 1:1 AND GROUP SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ+ YOUNG PEOPLE
Our qualified LGBTQ+ youth support team work with young people to provide a range of services to best meet needs, including those of trans and non-binary young people. We are based in a number of schools across Wandsworth and Merton and we also support young people in community settings.
If you’d like support, please contact us: nicki@free2b-alliance.org.uk | 07884 425 408
The Gap Youth Club
Lucie and Nicki launched The Gap Youth Club in June 2010 as part of the Wandsworth Council Youth Service.
The Gap Youth Club is now delivered in partnership between Free2B Alliance and Wandsworth Youth Service. The Gap provides a safe, social space for LGBTQ+ youth aged 13-19 (and up to 25 for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities). The club has supported over 350 young people since its launch and offers a wide range of youth curriculum workshops and sessions covering both mainstream youth and LGBTQ+ specific topics. We run off-site trips and residentials including attendance at London Pride, Brighton Pride and Trans Pride. We also invite organisations and speakers to join us, with recent guests including: Stonewall, Link LGBT Network, Street Doctors and BAC Queer Hub.
Sadly many of our members are not out, or they have been rejected when coming out and The Gap is the only place they can truly be themselves. Our continued aim is to support our members to be proud of who they are and to help them become active citizens with the confidence to challenge homophobia, biphobia & transphobia.
To promote emotional well-being we have a monthly art therapy session delivered by a qualified therapist as well as a volunteer available fortnightly to speak with members on a 1:1 or group basis to provide emotional well-being advice and guidance and sign post to relevant organisations for further support.
If you are a young person or professional wishing to refer to The Gap, please contact us: nicki@free2b-alliance.org.uk | 07884 425 408
We are delighted to share our promo video - developed and created with our Gap Youth Group members and Proud Parents, with special thanks to Keepsake Videos.
GAPSTERS
Gapsters N2T is our junior youth group which launched on Friday 1st March 2019
The club meets every Friday 4pm -5:30pm (safeguarded venue)
The club is for young people aged 9-13 who are questioning their sexuality and / or gender and those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
Gapsters provides a safe social space for our junior members to meet other young people, learn about the LGBTQ+ community and most of all... have fun!
Due to the age range, parental consent to attend is mandatory.
If you are a parent or professional wishing to refer to Gapsters N2T please contact us: nicki@free2b-alliance.org.uk | 07884 425 408
Targeted groups
We provide additional groups and services to meet specific and emerging needs. These currently include:
Trans well-being peer support group for trans and gender variant young people to come together in a safe space and explore positive coping strategies and improve well-being.
School forums project - supporting 4 pilot schools to develop their LGBTQ+ / equalities forum to ensure a positive school experience for LGBTQ+ pupils.
121 Mentoring
Free2Talk is our 1:1 mentoring service for LGBTQ+ young people aged 13-18. We provide a safe space for young people to explore their situations and develop the necessary skills and strategies to manage the difficulties they face.
- Increasing self-esteem
- Building personal resilience
- Improving wellbeing
Based in Wandsworth, South West London and available to any young person who can access the borough.
If you are a young person or professional wishing to refer to our mentoring service, please contact us: nicki@free2b-alliance.org.uk | 07884 425 408
RAINBOW POWER
We have a fabulous new panel of reps for the 2018-19 academic year and we will keep recruitment open throughout the year for anyone who would like to join.
Jund
Levi
Alexa
Kyle
Roanna
Philip
Leo
Jacob
Michael
Our Rainbow Power youth council have been busy working on their project ‘LGBTQ+ Matters’. They have been creating a range of resources to encourage professionals working with young people to be more LGBTQ+ aware and inclusive. The resources include a flyer promoting trans inclusion targeted to GPs; pens, post-its, stickers and coasters with key messaging; pronoun badges; and a flyer highlighting 5 simple steps to improve practice.
As part of the project, they have also written, directed and produced a short film clip aimed at teachers. It parodies a series of Government adverts encouraging people into teaching, instead demonstrating the negative impact school can have on LGBTQ+ pupils as well as highlighting the 5 simple steps that can make all the difference.
We are immensely proud of their hard work and vision to create such a powerful resource. Please do view their film
We are also extremely proud that four of our members are part of a UK-Wide youth forum set up to look at improving mental health. The TRIUMPH Youth Advisory Group kicked off in 2019 with a three day residential in Glasgow to meet with work with the other participating youth groups.
Always Welcome
Past and present Gap youth club members and Free2talk mentees are welcome to apply.
For more information and to request an application form, please contact Nicki Ryan: nicki@free2b-alliance.org.uk | 07884 425 408
SUPPORT INFO
It Gets Better
Support campaign for LGBT young people. Visit website.
Mermaids
Family and individual support for young people with gender identity issues. Visit website.
NSPCC
Provides information and resources to help keep young people safe including staying safe online. Visit website.
Bullying UK
Good source of information should your child be a victim of bullying. Includes advice and guidance on how to challenge your child’s school if you are unhappy with their response. Visit website.
Gendered Intelligence
Youth group, 1:1 support and resources for Trans young people. Visit website.
Albert Kennedy Trust
Supporting young homeless LGBT people. Visit website.
Imaan
A support organisation for LGBT Muslims which provides counselling, advice and guidance. Visit website.
Young Stonewall
Offers a range of information, advice and guidance for LGBT young people. Visit website.
TXTM8
Text 89868 for free and confidential sex and relationship advice available 24 hours a day 7 days a week
Getting It On
Sexual health, drugs & alcohol advice for teenagers with LGBTQ specific information. Plus service information for the following London Boroughs: Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton & Wandsworth. Visit website.
Domestic Violence victim support
Unite UK
Read coming out stories of those who have gone through what you may be feeling. Visit website.
TransUnite
TransUnite is a comprehensive resource for people in the UK searching for support in the transgender community. Their directory connects you to an established network of trans support groups near you. Visit website.
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