Newham LGBTQ+ Youth Project works with LGBTQIA+ people or people who are questioning their sexual or gender identity between the ages of 9-25.

There is a regular group CAYA – Come As You Are, along with drop in sessions for LGBTQIA+ young people looking for support from youth workers. The service is free to access and provides a safe, supportive and non-judgemental place where young people can be themselves, meet other LGBTQ+ young people, make new friends, have fun taking part in activities and influence change in the community.

Whilst still in development, we aim to:

• Create a friendly, welcoming and inclusive, interactive space for the young people to express themselves in discussion and projects.
• Involve LGBTQ+ young people in improving services locally so that they better meet their needs.
• Work with organisations, schools and partners locally, regionally and nationally to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ young people.
• Offer youth worker support for young people to explore their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, 1-2-1 and peer groups; through creative and social action projects, to support and help improve their physical, mental, social and emotional and education well-being.
• Create spaces where young people can take part in social action around issues that they are passionate about, this may include LGBTQ+ issues, alongside climate change, the future of employment and the built environment.
• We engage LGBTQ+ young in the recruitment of senior leaders in Newham and other paid opportunities where they have influence and power.
• Provide signposting for support and opportunities within the community.
• Raise awareness, support and understanding of LGBTQ+ issues.
• Discuss and celebrate LGBTQ+ issues and history.

Newham LGBTQ+ Youth Project works under Newham’s Youth Empowerment Service Participation Team.

1. Ace Spectrum Communities
2. All LGBT+ Communities
3. Black, Asian and Minoritised Ethnicities
4. Intersex/Variations in Sex Characteristics (VSC)
5. Men
6. Non-UK Residents
7. People of Faith
8. People with disabilities
9. Women
10. Young People