Gardening at Max Gate!

On Tuesday 27th May, Space Youth Project went gardening at Max Gate. We were invited back after spending a day touring the historic house and grounds earlier in the year. Once again we were welcomed by the friendly volunteer team and we were quickly ushered inside due to the pouring rain. We sat indoors for a while and had hot drinks and biscuits and chatted while we waited for the rain to stop - even had an impromptu piano show from one of our young people!

When we decided to go outside we were given gardening gloves and coats. The gardener, Caps, taught us how to plant beans and we quickly planted all of them as there were quite a few of us. We also planted spring onions, potatoes and flowers in the beds and learned how to dig trenches.

Afterwards we gathered in a cozy room and ate lunch together whilst chatting. After lunch some of the young people and youth workers decided to stay inside and some went back out into the rain to do some weeding and potato planting. Overall it was a lovely experience made possible by the kind volunteers and the SYP youth workers.

We received great feedback from the Max Gate team! A volunteer said "Thank you so much for all your help last week. Even with the damp weather your lovely group did so much to help with the planting in the garden. It`s always good to spend time with such a fun and positive group as your young people."

Written by Charlie, a Supernova

Roast at Bournemouth Group!

Bournemouth group decided they wanted to do some healthy cooking and they decided on a veggie roast. They put together a budget, decided how many they were cooking for and who would be involved. They had carrots, parsnips, peas, Yorkshire puds and of course golden roast potatoes, all covered in lashings of gravy!

The young people all really enjoyed working together to make the feast and then eating finished product! They all learned that cooking from scratch is so much healthier and cheaper, for just under £10 15 young people had a delicious dinner.

How to Support LGBTQ+ Young Adults on Their Thoughts of Family

Pride month is this June, and one topic to familiarise yourself with is how you can

support the everyday experiences of the LGBTQ+ youth. Many relatives are

accepting, but some aren’t so much. While many individuals are lucky to have

supportive family members, others can face disapproval or rejection. There are many

ways you can show your support and be a shoulder to learn on. 

1. Take Time To Listen

If a young adult isn’t understood by their family, it can be frustrating and upsetting.

Ranting about how they feel can be an outlet to release some of their emotions.

Remember to listen carefully and offer emotional support rather than giving practical

solutions. In order for them to feel okay with opening up if they need to, create a safe

space without any judgment. For example, you might say something like “That

sounds difficult. I’m here if you want to talk more about it.” Validate their feelings

wherever you can, as this can allow them to feel understood and accepted. 

2. Let Them Know You Care

People in the LGBTQ+ community often create chosen families when their biological

family isn’t supportive. This involves building strong relationships with people they

trust, like friends, mentors and people in the community. If you’re in someone’s close

circle, offer them reassurance and let them know you care about them! Remember,

this should be consistent. For example, use their correct pronouns daily and actively

be there for them. At the same time, be supportive of whatever family means to

them! 

3. Be Supportive of Their Future Plans

As well as views about their own family, they might also have strong views about

having a family of their own in the future. For people in the LGBTQ+ community,

there are many ways to build a loving family. Whether it’s adoption, surrogacy, co-

parenting, or a fertility treatment like IVF, there are several paths to parenthood. It’s

important to support them in exploring the pathways they prefer instead of telling

them what’s best for them; be there to listen and understand.

4. Be Respectful of Family Ties

Saying something like “She’s your mother, she won’t be around forever, so you

should talk to her again” can be frustrating for people to hear. It’s important to

support their choices and boundaries without judgment. Having toxic relationships in

their life can be draining and unhealthy, and sometimes cutting ties is the best

personal choice for them. 

5. Remember That Family Experiences Differ

There are many different reasons why someone in the LGBTQ+ community could

have a different family experience, such as religious, cultural and generational

factors. These experiences can be complex, with some young adults navigating

acceptance, and others deciding to be estranged completely. Understand that

everyone’s experience is different and be there to offer your emotional support. 

6. Educate Yourself This Pride Month

Learn about the problems LGBTQ+ people face, especially when it comes to family,

healthcare, and mental health. By doing this, you can learn new ways to give your

support to people in the LGBTQ+ community. At Space Youth Project, we have a

number of resources and links, and you can use some of these to learn more about

the LGBTQ+ community and their struggles. 

Finishing Up

Family situations can be complex, but by being there, you can offer a shoulder to

lean on. Hopefully this article has pointed you in the right direction on how you can

best show your support.

Rosie Buckley, Guest Blogger

Related Articles & Support:

• Mind - Supporting someone who is LGBTQIA+

• TFP Fertility UK - Surrogacy

• OptionB - How to Support a Friend Estranged from Family