Winner: Young People's Voice @ Allsorts LGBTU Youth Project

Young People's Voice (YPV) is a group of young people who belong to the charity Allsorts, a project based in Brighton that focuses on supporting people under the age of 26 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or unsure of their sexuality and/or gender identity (LGBTU).

Judges' comment:

"Young People's Voice works with some of the most marginalised and potentially vulnerable young people in the country. It inspires lesbian, gay, bi and transgender young people to recognise that they have a right to a good life. A life where they are respected for who they are and where they can go on to reach their potential."

www.allsortsyouth.org.uk

LGBTU young people can face homophobia, transphobia and biphobia at school, college, on the street and in the home. Being isolated and living in fear can lead to suicide attempts, self-harm and alcohol or drug misuse. The charity offers these marginalised people a place to interact with others and make friends, find crisis support and feel safe. YPV is an aspect of the charity that young people can become involved in: it allows them to express their views on the services offered by the charity and develop ideas about how to celebrate LGBTU people within the community.

The Allsorts Project gives young people diverse opportunities to celebrate their identity, learn new skills, and participate in decision-making in the wider world. Some have trained as Homophobia Awareness Peer Educators to deliver workshops to local schools, with two Peer Educators attending the national I-Power Anti-Bullying Conference, and contributing to the work of the Brighton and Hove Healthy Schools team. Others have become involved with the local Youth Council, and have lobbied local MPs and ministers.

Confidence-inspiring and empowering events such as a LGBTU conference and prom party have been held, giving young people the opportunity to express and celebrate their LGBTU identity within a supportive environment. Fourteen young people also took part in Pride 2007, creating a float and costumes in tandem with a local community arts organisation. As a result of volunteering, YPV members develop a range of valuable skills such as event management, leadership, project management and team-work.

“Young people inspired to participate in the local community”

In fact, more than 200 LGBTU youth volunteering opportunities were created in the last year, with young people inspired to participate in the local community and go on to education, training or work. Marianne Lemond, LGBTU youth volunteering development worker, says: "The opportunities have been developed by LGBTU young people and, as a result, are aimed at tackling the issues that concern them most and that they are most passionate about."

Simon, who has been involved with YPV since 2005, says: "It's great that I have been able to be involved with various Allsorts projects, as it has given me the platform to get my views and experiences heard, as well as giving me the support I need."

Project highlights

• With the right resources, skills and bold, imaginative methods, it is possible to reach highly marginalised groups, and make a huge difference to their daily lives and prospects.
• Such projects, however, do not have to cost a fortune (each volunteering opportunity costs Allsorts £152), but do need to create a safe, supportive environment to move beyond crisis management to empowerment.
• Focusing on a wide range of skills e.g. project management, communication, teamwork, has enabled young people to engage in education, training and work.
• Aim high - Allsorts has enabled LGBTU young people to aspire to participating in not just a youth project but also in the wider community, locally and nationally.
• Peer education has helped to make local schools, colleges and youth projects safer spaces for LGBTU young people and have contributed to greater social cohesion.