Features / Youth Homelessness
Supporting LGBTQ+ young people who are at risk of homelessness
akt, formerly known as The Albert Kennedy Trust, works passionately to make sure LGBTQ+ young people have safe homes and better futures. They already operate in Manchester, London and Newcastle and has recently expanded to offer support in Bristol.
The trust work to ensure all young people aged 16 to 25 are able to live in accepting, supportive and caring homes, by providing a range of services to meet the individual needs of those who would otherwise be homeless or living in a hostile environment.
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Academic research was recently conducted which showed that young LGBTQ+ people in Bristol and the South West needed more support.
In response, akt launched a pilot project in the city, with project manager Mijanou Blech at the helm, in September last year. Working with Off The Record, an Old Market-based youth mental health and wellbeing charity, and 1625 Independent People, which supports young people who are at risk of becoming homeless or are already homeless, the trust are working to increase support for young queer people in the city.
“We’ve got big things to achieve in Bristol,” says Mijanou. “We’re developing a casework model, seeing if there is a need for a specific type of LGBTQ+ support.”
akt works in Manchester, London, Newcastle and Bristol. Photo by Joshua Cadogan
In Manchester, London and Newcastle, akt help young queer people to find emergency accommodation, develop skills, access specialist support and a long term safe place to stay –either through partner housing organisations, staying with a trained akt host or the trust’s Purple Door service.
Mijanou is currently working with Elyssa, a support worker, to find out which support is most needed in Bristol.
“Would peer mentoring work? Would a host programme work? That’s what we’re finding out,” says Mijanou. “I’m excited about meeting the young people we will potentially work with and involving them in the creation of services for them. I’m also excited at the prospect of akt innovating new ways of working with young people and partners through this project.”
akt is working with local organisations to ensure the most needed support is provided. Photo by Joshua Cadogan
At present, Mijanou is working closely with Off The Record, 1625 Independent People, other partner organisations and young people with lived experience to determine what the trust’s best course of action in the city is.
akt in Bristol are also recruiting volunteers for a range of roles, such as mentors, hosting young people in their homes, helping with our fundraising efforts as event volunteers and spreading the word as an ‘akt champion’.
Elyssa, the trust’s local support worker, is already in place to deal with any immediate young people’s needs that may arise from akt’s presence in Bristol.
Find out more about volunteering with akt in Bristol at a volunteering evening on Thursday, March 12, 6-8.30pm at Off The Record on Perry Road. Find out more and sign up at volunteering@akt.org.uk
If you need support, visit www.akt.org.uk
Main photo by Sara Carpentieri
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