I am Christian Buchan, a Homes Manager for Choice Support a leading social care charity that supports people with learning disabilities, mental health needs, physical disabilities and homeless people. I am based within Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

The group’s core aim as empowering people to live with the gender identity and sexual orientation they identify with, and to support their journey to meaningful relationships. In terms of how the experiences of people with learning difficulties who identify as LGBTQ differ from those who do not, there a whole range of issues including differences in communication, some LGBTQ services do not have easy-read information, and group workers might not be able to meet communication needs to individuals risk assessments preventing them from exploring their sexuality.

I view the longer term aim of the group as adopting a person-centred approach to meeting the individual/group needs of the people accessing 2buWakefield. This will come by encouraging and supporting their lead on the direction of the group, working on positive trusting relationships with them and providing accessible information. With plans to undertake a range of activities including awareness raising of LGBTQ issues, educational tools, the provision of information and support and research all in a relaxed friendly safe environment hence the tagline/social media hashtag #asafeplacetobeyou

1. People with disabilities