Lockdown has provided LGBT+ people with many challenges and struggles including increased rates of self-harm, a lack of mutual support, reduction in exercise and more money worries. However one project is bucking this trend and is providing vital, life-affirming, community support and engagement for people from Manchester and internationally.
In May 2020, LGBT Foundation published findings from the largest and most substantive research into the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on LGBT communities in the United Kingdom to date.
Anxiety is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health problems in the UK with around 5% of the population experiencing it at some point in their lifetime. This figure is significantly higher for people who are LGBTQ.
The LGBT Foundation have written a guide for LGBT people on the possible causes, symptoms and support available for anxiety and stress.
For over 30 years The LGBT Centre have been providing a safe haven for LGBT+ people and their friends, families and allies. The LGBT Centre are now running an exciting programme of activities online to engage people from all across Manchester and further afield.
GMCVO, working in partnership with 10GM, have launched a grants programme to support people from communities of identity or experience, based in Greater Manchester that may struggle to achieve higher levels of mental wellbeing.
The communities we want to reach are:
The Women and Equalities Committee is launching an inquiry and they want to hear about the different and disproportionate impact that the Coronavirus – and measures to tackle it – is having on people with protected characteristics under the Equality Act.
What are protected characteristics?
It is against the law to discriminate against someone because of:
The Proud Trust, the LGBT+ Youth Organisation for Greater Manchester (with North West and national projects) is seeking a trustee to join their wonderful Trustee Team. The Proud Trust are especially looking for BAME and trans people.
This report aims to improve the understanding of LGBT+ people’s experience of domestic abuse and ensure that services meet the needs of survivors who identify as LGBT+. The authors draw on a number of UK-based studies, original LGBT+ service user datasets and a series of interviews with LGBT+ domestic abuse advocates to:
As you may be aware, earlier this year Manchester City Council and Manchester Health and Care Commissioning launched a competitive tendering process for the contract to provide support to the city's voluntary and community sector for the next three years. We are delighted to announce that Macc has been awarded this contract.
It is with great sadness that we share the news that our friend and former Director Joanne Simpson passed away earlier this week. Joanne was extremely dedicated to Independent Choices Greater Manchester and to the women that the organisation supports. She was instrumental in helping to grow the services we offer, including the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, transsexual, questioning (LGBTQ) Independent Domestic Violence Adviser Service (IDVA). She was a valued colleague and a friend and will be very much missed by us all. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.