Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, also known as Lady Phyll, has joined the LGBTQ+ youth homeless charity The Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT), as a patron.
LADY Phyll is co-founder and executive director of UK Black Pride, works as Head of Equality and Learning for the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) trade union is a regular columnist for DIVA magazine and a Kaleidoscope Trustee.
She has been awarded with a number of accolades for her contribution to diversity and inclusion, including the European Diversity Award’s Campaigner of the Year prize, a spot in the World Pride Power List’s top ten and being offered an MBE in 2016, which she chose to turn down.
Lady Phyll, co-founder and executive director, UK Black Pride said: “I’ve been involved with AKT for some time now and have been a long-time friend and supporter of their work. As a parent myself, I have a real affinity to what they do to support young people, many who didn’t get the start they deserved.
“I was delighted to be invited to join the charity in a formal capacity as patron, and look forward to working with the team at AKT to help end and prevent LGBTQ+ youth homelessness and support young people from our community to thrive. It truly is an honour.”
Tim Sigsworth MBE, CEO, Albert Kennedy Trust said: “Lady Phyll has actively supported AKT over the years, and understands all too well the wide ranging impact of homelessness and rejection on young LGBTQ+ people. We are all thrilled that she will be joining us as a patron and cannot wait to do even more work with her.”
Phyll joins the likes of trans actor and campaigner Jake Graf, fashion designer Henry Holland, Paralympian and campaigner Claire Harvey and business inclusion trailblazer Suki Sandhu OBE, who are also patrons for the charity.
The Albert Kennedy Trust is the national LGBT+ youth homelessness charity providing safe homes, mentoring and support to young LGBT+ people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness following coming out to their parents, caregivers or communities.
1 in 4 young people in the UK facing homelessness identify as LGBT+ (AKT, 2015) in Brighton this figure rises to 1 in 3. Of these, over 75% cite familial rejection, ejection or abuse as what has led to their situation.
You must be logged in to post a comment.