The LGBTQIA+ community are incredibly important to us, and we strive to deliver vital services in a safe and affirmative place. As part of the community ourselves we understand that there is a far lower level of trust in accessing these through mainstream avenues. We have been working tirelessly with the local LGBTQIA+ community to understand their needs and wants within the local area.
We have several projects currently underway which focus on both mental and physical health.
Our qualified therapists offer free 1-2-1 therapy sessions. This has been very successful in not only improving individuals lives but also in taking pressure off other community partners and reducing wait times. Data is recorded using a QR code so that we can keep track of feedback, make any changes, and continue to improve our service. 100% of clients said that the service continues to have a positive impact on their mental health and that they learned vital coping strategies to deal with a variety of challenges they may face.
In 2022 The Hive started a project which combined therapy and friendship for the LGBTQIA+ community. We funded trips to a variety of places encouraging socialisation and friendship. Throughout this we spoke to over 150 members of our community on a regular basis about their lives and journeys in becoming their authentic self. It was apparent from these discussions that many of the individuals wanted to improve their physical health as well as mental however they felt increased anxiety using mainstream facilities. We worked with the service users within The Hive to create a fitness facility suitable for the LGBTQIA+ community. They stated that they did not want mirrors in the gym as this contributes to feelings of dysmorphia. We have a fully qualified personal trainer on our board who provides free fitness programmes that last 12 weeks and include nutrition, body confidence and safe use of equipment. These sessions are tailored to the needs of the specific users and are fully supervised.
The Hive is dedicated to addressing food insecurity through our community fridge and food pantry, which operates all day, six days a week. Unlike traditional food banks with limited hours, our initiative allows individuals to access nourishment whenever they need it, alleviating some of the strains on local food banks and ensuring a consistent supply of food for those in need. Furthermore, our clothing bank offers a diverse range of clothing for men, women, and children, making sure that everyone in our community can find what they need without stigma or delay.
We are committed to supporting our community to be the best versions of themselves, this includes helping them with accessing employment, benefit information and other local services. We provide interview clothes, public access laptops with free Wi-Fi and we regularly have community partners such as Citizens Advice and Kingdom Community Support in The Hive to help.
Although massive improvement has been seen in accepting people from the transgender community, sadly there is still a long way to go. We were contacted by a local youth who was refused a haircut at a salon as they stated they wanted to look more masculine. After organising a complimentary haircut for this individual, we decided to get some feedback from the LGBTQIA+ community on their experiences with this industry. It was apparent that a lot of people were anxious about asking for certain styles through fear of discrimination.
A high proportion of the LGBTQIA+ community are neurodiverse, and we wanted to have facilities in place to support this. We provide noise cancelling headphones to anyone who may require them whilst visiting The Hive.
Our autism group is uniquely positioned to provide a supportive and inclusive environment, led by an experienced ex-teacher who brings a wealth of knowledge from her years working with individuals from all walks of life. Her personal connection to the LGBTQIA+ community, through her own teenager who is both neurodiverse and identifies as part of this spectrum, enhances her understanding of the complexities and challenges faced by our members. This combination of professional expertise and personal experience equips her to create a safe space where individuals can express themselves without fear of judgment.
We support the learning of our staff and volunteers within The Hive, providing them with training in Level 2 Hygiene, first aid and other transferable skills. We encourage them to learn new skills, gain valuable experience and work as part of a team. Several of our past volunteers have grown in confidence thanks to their experience and have gone on to secure employment.
The LGBTQIA+ community like many others have been hit badly with the cost-of-living crisis. This is something we wanted to address by reducing isolation and providing easy access to a warm space, food, and drinks. Throughout the winter months we provided over 600 free meals and hot drinks to the LGBTQIA+ community and were a warm space where people could relax, feel safe and socialise without the pressure of having to buy anything. We continue to offer free hot drinks throughout the year.
We also recognize the importance of fostering connections among youth, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted social interactions and mental well-being. By hosting a variety of youth groups, we provide a safe space for young people to engage with peers, rebuild their confidence, and develop essential social skills. The Hive has become a vibrant hub of activity, and we are committed to expanding our services to further enrich our community.
Moving forward we are very ambitious with plans for our phase 2. This will involve renovation of the upper level. We are planning on creating a recording studio/music room, a multi-purpose room, archive room and the first LGBTQIA+ escape room in the UK.
We will utilise the money to continue supporting our community by thriving in delivering vital services for our users.