Please help Wakefield LGBTQ+ Centre keep our doors open and our spirits high!
by Louie Stafford in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Additional funds raised will help us pay for some of our ongoing overhead costs, such as rising utility bills and staffing costs, reducing the pressure on our staff team. We will also be able to use these extra costs to ensure the building is Wheelchair accessible. We will also use this funding to host a thank-you event for all our volunteers.
The idea for Our House, Wakefield's LGBTQ+ Centre, was conceived by the Learnest CIC team in 2020 after we received funding from Prosper to deliver a series of well-being workshops in the community after lockdown. It quickly became apparent that the main issue many local LGBTQ+ people faced was a lack of safe, sober places to go and meet others, and social isolation was hurting many of the people we met.
Our House was built in 2022 after we secured a unit through a local scheme that linked charities and non-profit community organisations like Learnest CIC with unoccupied retail spaces in the City Centre. Together with the support of a core team of community members and volunteers, we worked tirelessly to bring the dream of Our House to reality and open our doors. We welcomed our first visitors as part of Wakefield Pride in 2022, a proud day, and since then, we have been building something special.
Over the last 18 months, Our House has been the backdrop to countless stories. Stories of self-discovery, stories of love and new friendships, and stories of triumph against all odds. People have told us countless times that Our House is a safe place and lifeline.
Last week, a letter arrived bearing news that shook our foundations. We have been served notice on our beloved building, and a countdown has begun before we have to leave.
Our House is more than just bricks and mortar; it symbolises our resilience as a community, and a glimmer of hope has emerged amidst this uncertainty. A new venue, a fresh start, where we can continue and build a secure future.
Together, we have embarked on a journey to secure our future to ensure that Our House remains open to continue to be a beacon of acceptance and support to all LGBTQ+ people across the region.
Today, we invite you to join in and be part of our incredible journey. Your contribution, no matter the size, will help us keep our doors open and our spirits high. Any donations we receive will go directly towards securing our new building, that will host our community cafe and group space for years to come. If you do not have the means to give, please consider sharing this campaign or get in touch to find out more ways you could help.
Thank you for being a part of our story and for helping us create a brighter future for LGBTQ+ people across Wakefield and beyond!
This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.