In 2017, a grant of £15,000 was awarded towards the renovation of the charity’s premises and IT equipment.

Organisation

Although it is now 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales, hate crime continues to rise, and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans) communities still need the support, help, and voice that only organisations like LGBT Foundation can provide. Despite the social progress that has been made in recent years, many LGBT people continue to experience discrimination. Research shows that the LGBT community experiences high rates of physical and emotional bullying, suicide, self-harm, drug and alcohol dependency, social isolation, and extreme vulnerability in old age, compared with the general population.

Since it was first set up in 1975, the LGBT Foundation has grown from a pioneering helpline run from a volunteer’s home into one of the country’s leading LGBT charities. Based in Manchester but operating nationally, today the charity provides advice and support services to more than 40,000 people from the LGBT community each year, and provides information to around 200,000 individuals online. The range of services offered includes counselling, sexual health testing, social and support groups, drug and alcohol support, befriending, and wider policy work including research. It also works with healthcare and other professionals to help make public services more accessible and inclusive for LGBT communities.

Renovation and IT project

The LGBT Foundation identified the need to improve the environment and resources available for both their service users and other LGBT groups operating out of their community resource centre. This included audio-visual equipment for shared spaces, carrying out painting and minor repairs, purchasing office equipment and IT equipment for staff. At the time of application, £10,000 had been raised towards the project cost of £50,000. A grant of £15,000 was awarded.