Inclusive Youth Services

Siân Berry AM proposed, and Emma Best AM seconded, the following altered motion: 

“This Assembly recognises the huge negative impact the pandemic has had on our young people, from missing out on education, training and simply being with their friends and family. This Assembly notes that while the coronavirus crisis has impacted all young people, Stonewall submitted evidence to a Government inquiry on the impact of COVID-19 on education and children’s services which highlighted this ‘profound’ impact was ‘likely to be particularly pronounced among LGBT young people’. Stonewall also recommended national and local government funding for LGBT youth groups, as well as adequate sign-posting to these services.

New research from LGBT+ charity Just Like Us asked secondary school pupils how they were faring during the pandemic and found LGBTIQA+ youth are twice as likely to feel lonely compared with other young people.

Just Like Us also found that more than half of LGBTIQA+ young people worry about their mental health daily, compared to just 26 per cent of other young people. It also found that Black LGBTIQA+ youth are more likely to be concerned about their mental health with almost two thirds worrying about this on a daily basis.

Young LGBTIQA+ people have been acutely affected by the pandemic and need specialist, inclusive support from youth workers and groups where young people can be safe and included.

A recent report, London’s Lost Youth Services 2020, found that only 12 boroughs ran or supported a LGBTIQA+ specific youth service projects.This Assembly recognises that LGBT young people need tailored support and calls on the Mayor to build on the good work of his Young Londoners Fund by responding to the LGBT Consortium’s LGBTIQA+ Plan for London by:

1. Providing targeted funding for youth-led LGBTIQA+ organisations to develop programmes or training to counter HBTI bullying and discrimination in all forms and levels of education.
2. A pan-London coordinated and sustainable LGBTIQA+ youth service provision, including specific mental health support designed for and by young people with clear referral pathways, reduced waiting times and continuous support.
3. Setting up a platform for LGBTIQA+ young leaders to increase their visibility and their meaningful participation at all levels of decision making, service-design, and policymaking to increase a sense of ownership and investment in London's future.”

Following debate and upon being put to the vote, the motion as altered, was agreed unanimously.