We Are Bovver'd
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bovver'd 64pp text session.pdf 23/3/09 16:35:44 We are bovver’d: Responding to the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people in South and East London August 2008 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K consultancy with clear direction Edited by Mark Paterson and Greg Ussher A report prepared by Chris Markham and Peter Scott for the Metro Centre Ltd Foreword Based in South and East London the Metro Centre Ltd works across London to design and deliver a wide range of services and improve outcomes for LGBTQ people of all ages based on input and advice from service users and other local people. The Metro Centre Ltd has been providing services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young people for 26 years, and to those young people questioning their sexuality (Q). Currently the Metro Centre provides counselling services, health clinics, weekly groups, events, advice and advocacy, mentoring,‘Just Out’ introductory courses and outreach for LGBTQ young people. The attached We are bovver’d: Responding to the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people in South and East London Report is the result of extensive consultation with young LGBTQ people, and provides a valuable snapshot of young people’s views on a range of issues. The findings from the survey and the in-depth interviews essentially confirm that the expectations of Ergo and Metro, and the evidence from the literature match the recent experiences of our local population. In fact, some of the findings and recommendations may match ideas for service development generated by the Metro Centre’s Youth Service. This Report also makes recommendations about a range of systems, structures and strategies of the Metro Centre; recommendations which when implemented will improve our services for LGBTQ people across London.The Metro is keen to share these recommendations so that other organisations that work in the domains of sexuality, identity, gender and diversity can learn from the challenges we have encountered. Young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in South and East London experience a range of prob- lems and difficulties, notably including high levels of bullying, family conflict, isolation, low self-esteem, self- harm and attempted suicide, drug and alcohol misuse, and sexual risk-taking. Conversely, high proportions of these young people report that they have been unable to access services they needed or wanted, sufficiently early. I recommend this Report to you. In the same way that the recommendations of the Report have already proven immensely beneficial to the Metro Centre, I trust that the learning embedded in this Report will be equally useful to you. Marguerite McLaughlin CEO The Metro Centre Ltd Please note that Appendices can be provided upon request. we are bovver’d: page 3 of 64 Contents Executive Summary.......................................................................6 1 Introduction . .7 Aim and objectives . .7 Methods . .8 2 Brief literature review . .9 Introduction and methodology . .9 Alcohol and drug use . .10 Bullying . .10 Coming out and sexual self concept . .10 Counselling, advice and groupwork . .11 Employment . .12 HIV (both prevention and living with HIV/AIDS), and sex . .12 Homelessness . .12 Mental health and illness . .13 Mentoring . .13 Peer groups . .13 Family and sector support . .13 Suicide and self harm . .13 Conclusions from the Literature Review . .14 3 Survey . .15 Sampling and recruitment for the survey . .15 Demographics of the survey sample . .16 Coming out . .20 Friends, sexual partners and socialising . .23 Homophobia . .26 General health . .27 Mental health and well-being . .30 Sexual health . .31 Social inclusion . .33 Family . .34 School . .35 Occupation . .36 Engagement with the community . .37 Experience of Metro services . .37 we are bovver’d: page 4 of 64 Suggestions for service development . .39 Onward recruitment . .40 Key conclusions from the survey . .40 4 Commissioner and stakeholder interviews . .42 Past experience . .42 Improving performance . .43 Future commissioning . .44 5 Interviews and focus groups with young people . .45 Recruitment to focus groups . .45 Involvement with Metro . .46 School . .48 College . .49 The gay scene . .50 Online resources . .51 Specialist or mainstream support? . .51 Housing . .52 Role models and mentoring . .52 Health services . .54 Transgender young people . .54 Literacy . ..