Pride Month may be ending, but support remains vital, says charity
Youth groups offer safe spaces for expression and connection beyond June's celebrations
A Northamptonshire charity says support for LGBTQ+ young people must continue beyond Pride Month, warning that many still rely on year-round safe spaces to feel accepted and understood.
The Lowdown, which supports more than 2,300 young people annually across its services, runs free LGBTQ+ groups for young people from school year seven up to the age of 25.
Staff say the groups provide far more than social activities, offering a sense of belonging for young people who may be questioning their identity, struggling with confidence or feeling isolated.
Charlene Ward-Greef, Access and Engagement Lead at The Lowdown, said many young people attend because they want a place where they can be themselves without fear of judgement.
"It gives them somewhere to go where they can be uniquely themselves," she said.
"They can come in and they can be in a safe, non-judgemental environment where they really are just surrounded by people that probably understand a little bit about what they're going through."
She said some young people do not always have positive experiences elsewhere, making dedicated support services particularly important.
"It gives them that sense of safety and security," she added.
As Pride Month draws to a close, staff say awareness and support should not be limited to June. Youth leader Rebecca Troop said meaningful support meant listening to LGBTQ+ people throughout the year rather than treating Pride as a one-month event.
"It's creating that safe space every month, not just one month of the year."
"Listening to what the community needs rather than just putting a rainbow up and calling that Pride Month." She said.
The charity runs Out There Youth groups for young people in school years seven to 13, alongside Out There Plus sessions for those aged 18 to 25.
Weekly sessions take place in Northampton and Towcester and are open to LGBTQ+ young people and their allies.
The groups offer opportunities to socialise, build friendships, explore sexuality and gender identity, and take part in activities designed alongside young people themselves.
Ward-Greef said the impact of the service could be life-changing and says feedback received by the charity has included young people saying they did not know where they would be without its support.
"We've actually saved lives," she said.
"It gives them that space to be themselves without that fear of judgement, that safety, that community."
The Lowdown also operates a drop-in service, giving young people access to mental health and wellbeing support, while parents can seek guidance if they are supporting an LGBTQ+ child and need advice themselves.
Staff recognise that attending a group for the first time can feel daunting, so information packs, staff introductions and building tours are available to help new members feel comfortable before joining.
Ward-Greef said: "Sometimes people don't know what questions they have until they get there.
"If they come in and see the space, meet the team and know what to expect, that can make all the difference."
Northampton Pride is due to take place on Saturday, 11 July, but The Lowdown says its message remains the same long after celebrations end.
The charity is encouraging any young person who feels isolated, unsure or in need of support to get in touch.
For information about The Lowdown's LGBTQ+ support services, call 01604 634385 or visit the website.