The Objectives of the network are to: a) To engage in a critical friend and advisory capacity with private, public and third-sector bodies including (but not limited to): private companies, charitable and voluntary sector organisations, local authorities, health and social care service providers, and Police, Fire and Ambulance services, with regard to the safety and freedom from prejudice of LGB&T people in Dorset and the surrounding areas, such as through our work with the Ask for Clive national initiative. b) To facilitate, support and develop the Bournemouth Dorset & Poole NHS services related critical friend ‘LGB&T Health Advisory Group’. c) To raise awareness of LGB&T issues, among the public generally and within the aforementioned bodies specifically, to promote solutions to those issues including (but not limited to) the provision of dedicated services and support within non-dedicated services for the LGB&T communities and related sub-groups. d) To assist the development of existing & future programmes, initiatives and services with a view to maximising their value to members of LGB&T communities in Dorset. e) To act as a forum for the discussion of LGB&T issues and to lobby private, public and third sector bodies on those issues, how they are addressed and how they are monitored. f) To be an independent pan-Dorset voice and mechanism for LGB&T equality and related advocacy, lobbying and signposting in areas including (but not limited to): education, employment, criminal justice, health, social care and to initiate and develop projects within those areas. g) To work at a NATIONAL level in regard to policy change to support LGBT safety, inclusion, but also on a number of specialist areas to support poorly represented minority LGBT communities, such as in Sport, migration and LGBT overseas nationals visiting or settling in the UK, prisons (and young offenders), homeless LGBTs, mental health, and also elderly LGBTs including community members in care settings.   h) Work and collaborate with other groups and organisations, both LGB&T, and also other broader equality & diversity and human rights supporting groups & organisations at the local, regional and national levels that share the same or similar values and objectives as the Network.

1. BME/Black People
2. LGBT+ People
3. Non-UK Residents
4. People of Faith
5. People over 50