Allsorts Youth Project has launched the #KeepProud crowdfunding and social media campaign to last from Friday, May 1–Friday, June 26 to raise £2,000 to maintain and expand its online LGBTQ+ youth services for the duration of Covid-19 safety measures and beyond.
According to the charity, which supports and empowers children and young people under 26 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or unsure (LGBTU) of their sexual orientation, one in four LGBTQ+ young people who have experienced homo/bi/transphobia in the past six months had experienced it at home (70 young people surveyed by Allsorts, March 2020).
By providing online group and one-to-one support for the duration of social distancing/isolation, Allsorts can ensure that LGBTQ+ children, young people and their parents/carers across Sussex and further afield in the South East are not left alone, can continue accessing the vital support of Allsorts, connect with their LGBTQ+ peers, and #KeepProud at this very difficult and isolating time.
In the wake of circumstances surrounding Covid-19, charities including Allsorts have seen a sharp fall in fundraising events among other forms of income. With 91% of LGBTQ+ young people having experienced mental health problems (Allsorts, March 2020), it’s paramount that Allsorts can continue offering its specialist services to those in need, while expanding its reach to LGBTQ+ children and young people in harder to reach rural areas, and those with social anxiety and/or mobility issues. Now, more than ever, Allsorts’ supporters can make all the difference in enabling this to happen.
Effie Fowler, Allsorts fundraiser, said: ‘Our work, youth consultations and lived experience inform us that being an LGBTQ+ young person can be a very isolating and lonely experience. As much as the #KeepProud campaign is about raising funds for children and young people across Sussex and the South East to access our services, it’s about community. Through the social media campaign, we aim to share positive messages from a wide range of LGBTQ+ people, reassuring LGBTQ+ young people and each other that we’re not alone, despite how isolating current circumstances may be.
‘For the duration of the campaign, we’ll be promoting virtual fundraising events, including live music, spoken word, pilates sessions and much more. It’s so important that we keep connected, have fun, and #KeepProud at this time. It’s deeply heart-warming to see so many of our supporters get creative in their fundraising efforts, and I look forward to sharing these experiences with our wonderful supporters.’
An Allsorts service user said: ‘Allsorts has saved my life. This isn’t an exaggeration, the support that Allsorts has provided has lifted me in my darkest days and stopped me attempting suicide many times. I can be safe here. I’m so grateful for this service and I hope it can continue to run for many more years.’
To donate or for full details of the #KeepProud campaign, See here:
For events, follow Allsorts on Facebook @allsortsyouthproject or Twitter @allsortsyouth
To donate £5 now, text KEEPPROUD to 70470 (texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message).
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