Voice and Influence
We have been awarded funding, by the National Lottery Community Fund, to develop our Voice & Influence Project across the regions of the South and West of England including:
- Bath & North East Somerset
- Gloucestershire
- North Somerset
- Somerset
- and South Gloucestershire.
The aim of the project is to have conversations with members of the LGBTQ+ people in the region and work strategically to try and influence change.
The Diversity Trust will be doing this by establishing LGBTQ+ Equality Networks in the different areas as well as working in collaboration with already established Networks and Forums.
Keep an eye on our Events page for upcoming events in your area.
If you would like to get involved please email us, you can also sign up to our newsletter.
To read the news announcement in full click here. To read more about our current projects in Bath & North East Somerset, Somerset and South Gloucestershire please read below.
South Gloucestershire
We work in partnership, with a range of organisations in South Gloucestershire, to provide voice and influence for equalities communities and groups. The partnership is led by CVS South Gloucestershire and includes: Age UK South Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire Disability Equality Network, South Gloucestershire Race Equality Network and Southern Brooks Community Partnerships. Watch a video about the South Glos Equalities Forum.
Through working in partnership, the aim of the Equalities Forum is to identify barriers and gaps when it comes to supporting LGBTQ+ people. This collaborative work has led to the development of various projects, including The Diversity Trusts Alphabets group.
Read our latest Out in South Glos publication OISG_July19_2.
We have put together a resource list for LGBTQ people in South Glos The Diversity Trust – OYSG LGBT Wellbeing – Resources for LGBTQ Adults – April 2020.
Our work in South Gloucestershire is supported by South Gloucestershire Council.
Somerset
We work in partnership, with a range of organisations in Somerset, to provide voice and influence for equalities communities. The partnership is led by The Diversity Trust and includes: Somerset County Council, 2BU Somerset, Young Somerset and Somerset Diverse Communities.
Through delivering a host of workshops The Trust has been able to identify areas of where more resources need to be pooled. The LGBTQ+ Equalities Network will use its contacts to share information and report back to statutory bodies in a bid to influence change.
We also worked with the Somerset Equality Officers Group to set up programmes in Somerset – click here to find out more.
Read our publication Out in Somerset click here OIS_May22_5
Bath & North East Somerset
We have been working with a range of organisations in Bath & North East Somerset to develop a community forum.
Through working in collaboration through our LGBTQ+ Equalities Network in the area the aim is to identify what LGBTQ+ people need to thrive. Through hosting community engagement events the Network will listen to what LGBTQ+ people in the area need and work towards bringing these projects to fruition.
The Network will also act as a place where different organisations can come together to share information as well as share knowledge and skills to work in collaboration better.
For more information, please read our publication Out in B&NES here.
Our work in Bath & North East Somerset is supported by Avon & Somerset Police.
North Somerset
The Diversity Trust is working in close collaboration with the North Somerset LGBT+ Forum who already has an established presence in the area. As an organisation they offer support to LGBTQ+ people in the area and as a Trust we will act as a support for them and working in a more strategic role.
How this will work is that we will work closely with the community and feedback into the North Somerset Council into how things can be improved.
Gloucestershire
The Diversity Trust is part of the established LGBT+ Partnership of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and beyond. The partnership is made up of more than 30 organisations and services across the region. The aim of the Partnership is to be a voice on issues that affect the LGBT+ community across the county and further.