Welcome to our Summer 2017 Newsletter! In this issue you will find out how Alphabets LGBTQ, our youth project in South Gloucestershire, has been working with local schools, as well as launching our latest film for schools.

As always you can find out how to book our training on equality and diversity themes including specialist training on domestic violence, hate crime, gender identity and LGBT+.

Our newsletter editor, Dave Sully, has some top tips for you on clear writing and formatting to make the most of your documents, news items and your social media.

You can find out more about how we work with volunteers and the importance of volunteering in our diverse communities. Learn more about the new Trans Plus Helpline which Bristol and Taunton Mind have launched. We delivered their volunteer training for them and they are a great group of people who are really passionate about supporting other trans people on their journeys.

As well as our film for schools we have also launched a film for health care professionals on improving inclusion for LGBT+ patients which is available on our YouTube channel, the story and link is on page 12-13.

Read more about my work with Bristol Zero Tolerance (BZT) and their important campaigns on harassment and gender-based violence and abuse including hate crime and domestic violence. This article includes an important call to action as BZT are carrying out a survey on street harassment (please see pages 15-16).

I have won an award for making an outstanding contribution in tackling domestic violence and abuse. I am truly humbled to have been given this award from South Gloucestershire Council. You can read more in the newsletter and there is a link to My Blog Post

Read an update on our work to develop the new LGBT+ Equality Network in South Gloucestershire and the very positive launch event we held in May 2017 in Kingswood.

Enjoy the rest of the Summer, have a great summer break if you are having one, I look forward to working with you again soon!

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In this issue, you’ll notice our work in South Gloucestershire going from strength to strength with new projects. Our projects include our LGBTQ+ Equality Network Group receiving grant-funding from South Gloucestershire Council to increase its regional work. We launched an LGBTQ+ film for schools and we’ll launch a new South Gloucestershire LGBTQ+ website in October 2017. I’ll also update you on our new partnership work with Southern Brooks and with our existing partner at Stand Against Racism and Inequality (SARI) charity.

Welcome to our latest e-newsletter. In October 2017 we became a Community Interest Company known as a CIC. CIC’s are companies with a social purpose and distribute any profits back into the communities they work with. In our case this 
is our work with equalities communities and groups across the South West
 and West of England. You can read more about us becoming a CIC, and about our social impact, in our future e-newsletters.