Students at the University of Bath Students’ Union LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) group, in partnership with the Council, have set up a scheme through which they can provide support and act as role models for young LGBT people in the local area.
The scheme is an email-based peer mentoring (e-mentoring) service that young people aged 16+ can email in confidence.
The initiative is designed to give young people the opportunity to ask other young people questions regarding sexuality and gender identity that they may not be comfortable asking family, school or college staff.
The volunteer students at the University are trained by the Students’ Union which has extensive experience of training peer mentors. Volunteers are CRB checked and referenced, and are available to give advice and support on a range of issues from sexual health, homo/bi/transphobia, coming out, or even just where they can socialise with other young LGBT people.
The scheme is available all year round, including public and school/university holidays.
Hefin Jones, who organised the scheme as Senior e-Mentor for the University of Bath Students’ Union LGBT group, said: “Despite large improvements in recent years in the experience of young LGBT people at school, college or work, growing up as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender can still be difficult for a number of young people. While there are people and organisations available for young people to speak to, there are few opportunities for them to talk to other young people about their issues and questions.”
The initiative is the first of its kind to come out of a university and is supported by Bath & North East Somerset Council. The scheme is being launched over the coming weeks where representatives of the LGBT will be speaking to years 10, 11 and sixth form year groups in a number of schools and colleges across Bath and North East Somerset to raise awareness of the support service.
Councillor Dine Romero (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Youth, said: “At Bath & North East Somerset Council we are committed to supporting young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We’ve already made some very positive steps towards this and recently became a Stonewall Education Champion to help us to make further progress. The new e-mentoring scheme will provide a vital source of support for young LGBT people who may have no-one to talk to about their identity at this important time in their lives.”
The student volunteers are ready to provide friendly, non-judgemental advice and support so please get in touch, in confidence, by emailing [email protected].
The scheme also has a page on the LGBT website http://people.bath.ac.uk/su4lgbs/e-mentoring/ and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bathlgbtementoring.
