
The Proud Trust has moved all its youth groups virtual from 16th March and has seen an increase in young people joining these groups, including more young people with physical disabilities who usually find travel to physical meetings a barrier. This is good news as it means they are reaching more young people who need support/ feel isolated. They are doing online life skills, discussions, arts, keep fit, public health information sharing, resilience building and mental wellbeing work in these groups.
The Proud Trust has moved all it's 1-2-1 support online too. They have graded their young people on a red, amber, green scale regarding risk, and are keeping in closer communication with those who are in the 'amber' and 'red' categories through texts, phone calls and facebook. This has included buying pay-as-you-go mobile phones and credit for those who have no other method of communication. They are checking with each person regarding their financial position, and for any who find themselves in crisis, they will do an assessment and see whether they can support them through a direct payment to help them buy food/ heating or other essentials.
They are keeping our support open to new people who contact us through email, social media or telephone.
The LGBT+ Centre temporarily including the cafe, to help reduce the coronavirus spread. Groups who usually meet at the centre will be keeping in touch with their members to support them.
All training has been cancelled up until Easter, and are currently exploring using Zoom or Google Hangouts to deliver training.
The Proud Trust are keeping up-to-date with their colleagues in local and national government and across the charitable sector, to actively play their part during this time, and will develop our support where it is needed as things evolve.