Take Pride is run by Consett Churches Detached Youth Project (CCDYP).

Our aim is to help and support young people, without distinction of race, political opinion or sex to develop into mature and confident individuals. The main core of our work is detached youth work enabling us to reach marginalised and often isolated young people.

Founded in 1981 we have worked with and supported thousands of young people, spending time listening to them rather than talking at them. Our detached work lead us to identify the need for LGBT+ young people to have somewhere to go, somebody to talk to, make them feel they belong and are accepted for who they are.

Speaking to the young people with whom we were working the main issues seemed to be the lack of support in this particular area, unable to speak to peers about their issues, although sex education is taught in schools the subject of LGBT+ is avoided. We opened our drop in a year ago and it is proving to be a great success with young people and in some cases their families.

They now have a place to be themselves, explore their identity, make new friends in a social environment, holding social events, most of all a safe friendly place to come and make them feel they belong.

1. All LGBT+ Communities
2. Young People