LGBTQ+

In the Academy

We are grateful to be working with a LGBTQIA+ Wellbeing Worker, who is completing 1-2-1 and group work sessions with pupils across all year groups. The group sessions consist of a six-week programme, which will equip young people with strategies for building resilience linking to identity, and it is centered upon pupils evaluating risks both in a physical and emotional sense. Pupils are introduced to the importance of accessing support and celebrating who they are. After the sessions, pupils will be able to offer support to their peers as part of an Ambassador Programme which is starting soon!

We are proud of the support in place for pupils who are exploring their sexuality and gender, with options readily available for pupils who would like guidance. We have systems in place where pupils who are ready to be proud of who they are will be supported with their choices for preferred pronouns and safe spaces.

Horbury Academy Equals is a group committed to creating positive change across the academy. The group meet on Wednesdays at 2.45pm-3.15pm and everyone is welcome.

Local Support Groups

Horbury Breakthrough Youth Project – UMBERELLA (LGBTQIA+ group): School Years 7-11 – Thursdays 4pm-5pm at Horbury Methodist Church: https://www.breakthru-youth.co.uk/news/whats-on/weekly-groups

Wakefield Council – STRIPES+: For young people aged 13-19 – Access one to one support, advice, guidance, building self-esteem, online safety, sexual health and much more.

The groups meet in a friendly, supportive environment which is coordinated by the Youth Hub as part of the Early Intervention & Prevention service. Interested in joining? Please contact the team on 01977 727018 and ask for a STRIPES worker: https://www.wfyouth.co.uk/our-programmes/stripes/

Yorkshire MESMAC: https://www.mesmac.co.uk/our-services/leeds

National Support

Barnardo’s: https://www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do/supporting-young-people/lgbtq

Mermaids: https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/

Consortium for stronger LGBTQ+ network: https://www.consortium.lgbt/

Gender Intelligence: https://genderedintelligence.co.uk/

True Vision (hate crime support): https://www.report-it.org.uk/

GALOP (support for those who have experienced abuse): https://galop.org.uk/

Stonewall: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/

NSPCC: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

Kidscape: http://www.kidscape.org.uk/

Childline: https://www.childline.org.uk/

AKT support for young people ages 16-25 living in a hostile environment: https://www.akt.org.uk/

FFLAG guidance for friends and families: https://www.fflag.org.uk/

Switch Board: https://switchboard.lgbt/